Paver patios and hardscaping in the Tri-Cities

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your city and what you have in mind for your yard or driveway.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent paver and hardscape contractor that serves the Tri-Cities.

3. They call you back

   They visit, measure and quote the work directly.

Who is this for?

Homeowners in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, West Richland and the surrounding Tri-Cities who want a new paver patio, a paver driveway or walkway, a fire pit or seating area, a low retaining or seat wall, or a fix for pavers that have sunk, shifted or weeded over. A lot of Tri-Cities homes were built with a small concrete slab out back and a big lawn that drinks water all summer. Pavers are one of the most common ways people turn that space into somewhere they actually spend evenings.

Why pavers in the Tri-Cities?

The short answer is that pavers flex where poured concrete cracks. Kennewick has a semi-arid climate with under 8 inches of precipitation a year, July highs that average above 90 degrees, and January nights that average below freezing. Ground that freezes, thaws, dries out and gets watered by sprinklers moves a little every year. Interlocking pavers sit on a compacted gravel base with sand joints, so they can move with the ground and be lifted and reset if a spot settles.

• Freeze-thaw. The City of Kennewick's building design criteria list a 24-inch frost line and a "severe" weathering rating. Individual pavers ride out freeze cycles better than a single large slab.
• Heat. Lighter colors and tan or buff blends stay cooler underfoot than dark charcoal in July and August.
• Wind and dust. Spring and fall dust storms blow fine soil into joints. Polymeric sand and periodic sweeping keep joints from turning into weed beds.
• Water use. Every square foot of patio is a square foot of lawn you don't have to irrigate through the summer.

What can be built with pavers?

• Patios. Backyard patios, extensions off an existing slab, and shaded seating areas. More on paver patios.
• Driveways and walkways. Full driveways, driveway borders and widening strips, front walks and side-yard paths. More on driveways and walkways.
• Fire pits and outdoor living. Built-in fire pits, seating areas, grill islands and pergola pads. More on outdoor living.
• Seat walls and low retaining walls. Segmental block walls that frame a patio, hold back a raised bed or level a sloped yard. More on walls.
• Repair and sealing. Lifting and resetting sunken areas, re-sanding joints, cleaning and sealing. More on paver repair.

What makes a paver job last?

Most of what matters is under the pavers. A good installer digs out the soft topsoil, lays and compacts a crushed gravel base in layers, screeds a thin bedding layer, sets the pavers, installs a solid edge restraint, and compacts the finished surface so the joints lock. Driveways get a deeper base than patios because they carry vehicles. The surface should also slope slightly away from the house so water from sprinklers and storms runs off instead of pooling against the foundation.

Warning signs your pavers need attention

• Low spots or puddles that weren't there when it was new
• Pavers rocking, tipping or spreading apart at the edges
• Sand washing out of the joints, or weeds and grass growing through
• Ruts in a driveway where the tires run
• White haze or stains from sprinkler overspray or hard water
• A patio that slopes back toward the house

Do I need a permit?

A backyard patio on your own lot usually doesn't need a building permit, but some related work does. In Kennewick, work in the public right-of-way, such as a driveway approach or sidewalk, needs a separate city permit and must be done by a bonded contractor. Covered patios, pergolas, gas fire features and taller walls can also bring permits. Ask your contractor what applies at your address, and see the Tri-Cities paver patio guide for details.

Call before you dig

Washington's dig law requires a utility locate request at least two business days before digging, and homeowners are covered by it. Paver work involves excavation, so your contractor should call 811 and mark the dig area before work starts.

Are you a paver company?

No. Kennewick Pavers is a referral service. We connect you with an independent contractor that serves your address, and that contractor designs, quotes, builds and warranties the work. Read our tips for hiring a paver contractor before you sign.

Areas we cover

• Kennewick
• Richland
• Pasco
• West Richland

Planning ahead? Read our Tri-Cities paver patio guide.