I’m thinking of getting a mixer, and doing my patio in 3’ x 3’ or so sections/pavers over the course of, well, a long time. final dimension 20' by 30' or somewhere around there. Its impossible to get ready mix around here in small batches, without paying a huge delivery fee. I got the idea from a friends of a friends driveway. It was done to look like 10' x 10' tiles, probably much bigger slabs, broom finished then edged with an edging tool. A 10'x10' grid. I figure a 3x3 or 4x4 slab is 3 maybe 4 batches in the mixer depending on what I get.

First and most important question; Am I nuts, should I just wait till I can afford a pro to do a huge slab? I can do the prep work.

If you answered no to above continue.

should the slab/ pavers be tied together somehow? short chunks of rebar.

Since they are actually pavers, will expansion joints be necessary?

Would 3/4" washed stone work for a base? I have some laying around, not enough to finish the job, so I'l be ordering some cruched gravel. Here they call it 3/4" T&B.

 

You may get satisfaction by pouring small 3x3 slabs, but it will cost more in the end if you consider everything.

If you have friends and hire one person that knows what he is doing, you will save money and get a better job.

You will need about 8 yards of concrete, the delivery charge will not be too much.

If you mix your own, you will have to get a mixer and pay to have the sand and rock delivered. Then, you will have lower quality concrete and different colors. In addition, you would have to haul the 50 bags of cement (4500#) or have it delivered. Buiying indiviual bags of Quikrete or Sakrete will be much more expensive if you figure it out.

In any case, you will need some base material.

If you go with 3x3 sections, you are just making individual slabs of concrete (not pavers). They will settle differently, depending on how you compact the base. The decision on tying together wth rebar depends on what you will tolerate regarding levelness.

An alternate DIY project is to use the same base, order a load of settling sand and some interlocking concrete pavers. Then level, spread a 1" layer of bedding sand and lay pavers at your own pace. When done, put down a layer of fine sand and vibrate into the joints with a rented plate vibrator. To guarantee uniform color, it is best to order all pavers at the same time.

Dick