What Do I Need To Build A Patio ?

Question:What supplies do i need to build a 25 x 25 patio .
I want to use 16 x 16 Pavers for my patio .
How many pavers will i need ?
Do i need to rent a machine to even the ground before i put my pavers down ?

Answers:
The base should be #9 gravel (the same gravel used to build roadbeds). You need 6" of compacted gravel under a patio. Dig for the gravel base. Dig out past the intended edges of the by at least 6". You want 6" of gravel base past the edge of the installed pavers. This is called over-basing and is very important to the integrity of the patio edge. Make sure the ground is level before you apply the gravel. Note: The patio should have a slight (1/4" per 1') incline to shed water, preferably away from your house. The ground should be flat and have the same incline as the intended patio surface. Compact the ground with a 6400 ft. lb. centrifugal force plate compactor. Add the gravel in multiple stages of 2-4" and compact each stage. Use 1" of torpedo sand (not mason's or play sand). Do not compact the sand. Level the sand and lay the pavers. Apply your snap edging with landscape spikes to contain the pavers. Drive the spikes through the over based gravel. Its really important that the spikes are in the over based area. Compact the pavers into the sand base. Sweep sand into the joints. Enjoy the new patio!

What you will need for a 25' x 25' Patio:

13-14 Cu. Yd. (18-21 ton) #9 Gravel
3 Cu. Yd. (4.5 ton) Tordedo Sand
100 Ft. Snap Edging (Sold in 8' lengths - 13 lengths)
110 11-12" Landscape Spikes
361 Patio Pavers (16" x 16")

What you will need to rent:
Dump Truck - Haul soil spoils/gravel/sand
Mini tracked Bobcat/Dingo - to dig patio/move sand & gravel
Laser Transit - Layout/Measure grades
Plate Compactor
Paver Saw