Paver patio installation in Brooklyn is especially common for small backyards behind brownstones, row homes, and narrow city lots. The majority of Brooklyn backyards are small, so most patio projects need careful planning around access, drainage, base depth, and material choice.
In Brooklyn, 50% of all households live in a small backyard.
Small typically refers to 100 to 300 square feet of usable yard space, which is a common size for row homes and brownstones in neighborhoods such as Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, Sunset Park and Flatbush.
There’s a special pricing logic for this size category. Smaller projects will have a greater per square foot rate than larger ones since the mobilization, equipment setup and minimum labor rates remain relatively the same. The 150 sq ft patio doesn’t cost half as much as the 300 sq ft patio, it costs half as much per square foot, and is more than that.
Real Costs by Project Size
100 to 150 sq ft patio (small):
- Standard concrete pavers: $1,800 to $3,200
- Per sq ft rate: $14 to $22
200 to 250 sq ft patio (medium-small):
- Standard concrete pavers: $2,800 to $5,000
- Per sq ft rate: $12 to $20
300 sq ft patio (upper end of small):
- Standard concrete pavers: $3,600 to $6,000
- Per sq ft rate: $10 to $18 (rate starts to flatten out at this size)
This encompasses excavation, base preparation, paver installation, edge restraints and polymeric jointing sand. These are base prices for material upgrades to porcelain or natural stone ($5-$15 per square foot).
What Drives Cost Up in a Small Brooklyn Backyard
Access. It is often hard to access a number of Brooklyn backyards via a narrow side passage or via the house itself. Materials and equipment cannot be wheeled or driven in and must be carried in by hand, adding labor time. One of the most frequently-seen cost increases associated with Brooklyn row homes and brownstones, in particular, is this cost increase.
Existing surface removal. If there’s an old concrete patio, broken pavers or overgrown landscaping to clear out, that’s an extra expense before the new installation even starts. For a small area, the cost of demolition and removal is generally $400-$1,200, depending on the contents.
Grade changes. The backs of many Brooklyn houses slope gently down from the house to the rear fence. This must be done when preparing the base otherwise drainage will not be proper.
Material choice. This is the greatest factor that homeowners actually have control over. For example, standard concrete pavers are affordable and will endure the Brooklyn winters. Porcelain, natural stone or big format pavers all contribute to the overall meaning.
What Doesn’t Change Regardless of Size
The question is: what doesn’t change, regardless of size?The question is, what doesn’t change, regardless of size?
Though the project may be small, some things shouldn’t be cut. The cost of paver patio installation in Brooklyn depends heavily on backyard size, access, excavation needs, base preparation, and the type of pavers selected.
Patio Base depth: minimum 6” of compacted gravel for every square foot of patio, no matter how large. A small patio with a shallow base doesn’t last long either.
Must be installed on any installation, no matter the size, for edge restraint.
Even a 100 sq ft patio requires proper drainage, with water not accumulating against the house or adjacent foundation, especially important in tight Brooklyn lots where space is more limited to allow water to flow elsewhere.
Smart Ways to Keep Small Patio Costs Down
Patio prices can be controlled by using smart ideas.There are smart ways to keep small patio costs down.
Stick to a simple pattern: Bond or basic grid patterns will involve fewer cuts and work than herringbone or custom designs, a worthwhile saving on a small project where labor is a larger percentage of the total project cost.
Standard size (4 x 8 or 6 x 9) pavers are generally more affordable than large format or cut to order pavers, but large format pavers may minimize joint lines and help make a small space seem more open, a good choice for certain homeowners.
Off-season (late fall or early spring) may offer more competitive pricing and faster response for Brooklyn contractors, since they typically aren’t as busy during April through October.
If needed, combine with other work. If you have a fence repair or drainage repair that you want to complete at the same time, you can save the mobilization of a separate project by completing the fence repair with the installation of the patio.
Why Professional Installation Matters Even More on Small Spaces
Even in small spaces, professional installation is even more important.Even in small spaces, professional installation is more crucial.
It may appear that if there is a problem with a small patio, it is less risky. This is generally not the case. A poorly graded or poorly based small patio in a tight Brooklyn backyard that is near your house foundation, can direct water right to your foundation or your neighbor’s.
The margin for error is actually smaller, not bigger, in a small enclosed space.
Why NY Pavers for Small Backyard Patios in Brooklyn
NY Pavers has been working in Brooklyn backyards of all sizes for over 23 years, and has extensive experience in the extremely tight lot conditions, narrow access and grade changes found throughout the borough’s row homes and brownstones.
Each project receives a complimentary quote that actually reflects the space and access requirements, not a cookie cut price per square foot that fails to account for the realities of a Brooklyn backyard. NY Pavers provides paver patio installation in Brooklyn for small backyards, brownstone lots, row homes, and tight outdoor spaces throughout the borough.
Give us a call at (718) 838-0982 or visit nypavers.com to request your free quote for a Brooklyn patio.