A bigger patio starts below the surface. We dig out the new area, set the grade and slope so water runs away from the house, and build a compacted base that your concrete or paver crew can finish.
Patio Extensions in Boise and the Treasure Valley
Most patio extensions start the same way. The patio out back worked fine until you wanted room for a bigger table, a fire pit, a hot tub or a cover. Now you want to add on, and the ground has to be ready before anything gets poured or laid.
We do the dirt work for patio extensions in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Kuna, Star and around our home base in Caldwell. We dig, grade and build the base. A concrete or paver crew finishes the surface.
Marking the Extension and Finding What's Underneath
We start with a layout. You show us where the new edge goes, and we mark it with paint or stakes so you can walk it and make changes before any digging starts. Backyards are crowded underground, so we look for sprinkler lines, drip lines, low-voltage wires, AC lines and gas lines, and we call Digline (811) before we dig. If the patio is close to your septic tank, drainfield or well, tell us. Those need to stay clear of machines and spoil piles.
Digging Out the New Area
We strip the sod and topsoil from the new footprint. Topsoil is full of roots and organic matter that rot and settle, so it can't stay under a patio. We dig down to firm ground, which usually means a few inches to a foot, depending on what goes on top of it. A thin concrete patio needs less base than pavers or a spot for a hot tub.
If the new patio sits next to an old one, we match the height of the existing edge so the two surfaces meet without a trip hazard or a gap that holds water. Where the old patio has to be partly removed first, see our concrete breaking and hauling page.
Slope and Drainage
A flat patio holds water against the house. We set a gentle slope away from the foundation, usually about a quarter inch per foot, so rain, sprinkler overspray and melting snow run off. If the lot is flat or the extension runs toward a low spot, we may add a shallow swale or a French drain to carry water out. Downspouts that dump near the slab get routed away from it too.
Building the Base
Under concrete, a few inches of compacted gravel gives the slab even support. Under pavers, the base is deeper, with a layer of bedding sand on top. Either way, the gravel goes in a layer at a time and gets compacted, since loose gravel settles and the patio settles with it. Clay soil holds water and softens in spring, so on clay we often dig a little deeper and use more base. Our soil compaction page explains how that works.
Hot Tubs, Fire Pits and Covered Patios
Some extensions carry more than a table and chairs. A full hot tub weighs thousands of pounds, so it needs a firmer base and usually a thicker slab than the rest of the patio. A covered patio needs footings for the posts, and those holes go to the depth your plans call for. For post and footing holes, we can drill them with our augering service. A built-in fire pit or outdoor kitchen is heavy and needs a solid base too. Tell us what's going on the patio before we dig, so the base fits the load.
Permits, HOAs and Property Lines
Many patios don't need a permit, but covered patios and larger additions can. Setbacks from property lines and utility easements also apply in some areas. If you're in an HOA, check what it requires before you start. We'll work from the layout you've approved, and it helps to have your patio plans or your concrete crew's measurements on hand when we come out.
Timing the Work With Your Concrete or Paver Crew
Dirt work and finish work go best when they're scheduled together. We prepare the base, and your crew pours or sets the surface soon after, before rain or sprinklers soften it. If the base sits for a few weeks, it may need a quick re-grade and re-compaction first. Tell us your crew's date and we'll plan around it.
Why Call Ultimate Excavation LLC
We're an Idaho registered contractor (RCE-65836) based in Caldwell, with a 5.0 rating on Google. Our reviews say we're on time, professional and fair on price. Patio jobs are small enough that how we treat your yard matters, so we protect lawn and sprinkler heads where we can and clean up when we're done. Call (208) 697-2429 or request a free estimate. If you're also changing the lot around the patio, see our grading and leveling page.
