How Much Does Stone Paving Cost? [2024]

There's nothing quite like the look of stone pavers, which give a natural, organic feel to any driveway, garden path, patio or pool surround.

But are they affordable, and can you lay them yourself or do you need to hire professional paving experts? These are just some of the things you need to know before you start your stone paving project.

What style of paving do I want?

When it comes to laying your stone pavers you can opt for any number of styles or patterns, including:

• Circular paving is just what it sounds like. Usually, the largest area is a standard pattern. Cutting the pavers creates a circular pattern and pavers are laid around the circle in a different pattern.
• Basketweave starts with two pavers side by side. The next pavers are also side by side, but facing in the other direction.
• Herringbone pattern is a little more complicated. A rectangular paver is laid in one direction. The next paver is perpendicular to the first paver and placed at the edge of the previous paver. A herringbone pattern uses pavers that are twice as long as they are wide.
• Stack bond is simply pavers laid next to each other. The lines between the pavers will be straight in both directions.
• Stretcher bond starts with a single length of pavers. The next row of pavers is laid halfway between the previous row of pavers. The pattern is repeated.

Variations on these basic styles can include using pavers of different colours or mixing patterns for a more interesting effect. For example, you can use a herringbone pattern and mix it with other patterns.

What is a base?

A base is part of the prep work done before your paving surface is laid. Depending on the type of pavers, this is typically a crushed sandstone which is compacted with a roller. You could also have a concrete base. This ensures that your paving has a stable base to rest on and is crucial to the longevity of your pavers. Drainage is also installed with the base to ensure stormwater runs off to an appropriate drain.

How much does stone paving cost?

There are a number of types of stone pavers to choose between, at a variety of costs. Even a single type of stone can come in different price ranges, depending on quality and other factors. These are some of the options you'll be looking at when shopping for stone pavers:

• Natural sandstone pavers start at about $25 per square metre.
• Limestone pavers start at about $30 and go up to $60 or more per square metre.
• "Buffed" sandstone has a smoother surface with a non-slip treatment. It costs approximately $60 a square metre.
• Quartzite pavers can cost as little as $39 per square metre to more than $75 for premium grades.
• Granite pavers come in a variety of colours. Their cost depends on availability, with cheaper granites costing around $50 per square metre and more expensive granites costing from $75 to $100 per square metre.
• Travertine is a perennial favourite. It costs about the same as granite.

If you're laying a light-duty stone path or other smaller paved area, you can use sand or a specially produced mixture as a bed for your pavers. For larger areas, heavy traffic areas or driveways, you'll need to lay a concrete bed first. The base is important as it determines the stability and longevity of the pavers that rest on it.

Expect to pay in the region of:

• $1,500 to $1800 for a crushed rock base for a site of 50 square metres with easy access and little preparation
• $2300 to $2,800 for a poured concrete base for a site of 50 square metres with easy access and little preparation

Hiring a paving contractor

When it comes time to hiring a paving contractor make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask them include:

• Are you licensed for my project?
• Do you hold valid insurance?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Does my quote include edging and a bed?
• Do you have references I can follow up?

Getting quotes for stone paving

When you start to get quotes from local paving contractors, expect them to ask:

• What style of pavers you want
• What area you are paving
• The size in square metres
• What the area looks like, i.e. is it flat, sloping, etc
• Are there any access issues

Giving paving contractors the opportunity to factor all these details in will enable them to give you more accurate initial quotes. After you've compared the quotes, you can arrange to discuss the job with you in person.