By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Determine the most you can afford to spend on the patio. Consider not just what you will spend on supplies and on any help you may hire, but also how much you will spend on furniture for this new extension of your home. Consider the purpose of the patio. Will it be a place to relax outside now and then, or do you plan on having barbecues, eating out on the patio often, or sunbathing on the patio? Will you need to buy a barbecue, table and chairs, umbrella or retractable awning for the new patio? Once you have set aside a maximum allowable to cover all of these expenses, fix a more moderate figure in mind--your ideal budget for your new patio. Plan for your project with this ideal budget, but set aside enough money to cover the maximum allowable you had determined. It is best to set up a separate account in the bank for any home improvement work, so you don't lose track of your expenses and go over budget without realizing it.
Step2
Decide who will be building your deck. Determine whether this is a do-it-yourself endeavor or you will be hiring a contractor to do some or all of the work. This decision will affect the materials and tools you need to buy and can afford for the project.
Step3
Draw up plans for your patio. These don't have to be precise just yet, but you'll want to decide how large you would like it to be. Measure out the general area for the patio and determine approximately how many square feet you would like it to be.
Step4
Check out the costs for the necessary supplies for your patio at a home improvement store or supplier. You will need gravel, sand and most importantly paving stones or bricks. Find several different samples of materials in a range of prices. The paving stones or bricks you use for your patio will drastically affect the overall cost of the project.
Step5
Compare the prices of different materials and how they will affect your budget. An expensive paving stone may not leave you with enough money for the necessary gravel, sand and tools. Concrete pavers are an affordable alternative if you find pavers you like. Using pieces of tile can also provide a less-expensive alternative, although to lay the tile, you will also need to purchase cement or other material to keep the tile in place. Determine what supplies you will be using, ensuring that all costs will fall within your ideal budget.
Step6
Find out if you will need to rent any equipment for the project and any rental costs. If you do not already have a cleared space in your yard, you will need to rent a sod cutter. And to cut and lay down the stones, you will need a gas-powered tampe and gas-powered masonry saw.
Step7
Purchase the necessary supplies, tools and rent any needed equipment and build your wonderful deck--all within budget.
