Paver Patios & Driveways

The Foundation Matters

The Base Is Everything

A paver patio or driveway is the single biggest upgrade most homeowners make to their outdoor space — and the one place where shortcuts show up worst. Cracked, sinking, weed-filled pavers almost always trace back to a bad base. We do not cut corners on the base.

Bob has been installing paver hardscapes across Sister Lakes, MI and the Palos Heights, IL area for over 20 years. In that time he's seen every shortcut in the book — and he's been called in to rip out and rebuild more failed jobs than he can count. Almost every one of them came down to the same thing: not enough gravel base, no compaction, no edge restraint, or pavers laid on dirt.

The way Zeiler Construction builds a patio or driveway, the surface you walk on is just the finish. Underneath is 4 to 12 inches of compacted gravel (deeper for driveways that hold vehicles), a screeded bedding layer, mechanically locked pavers, polymeric sand swept into the joints, and a plastic or aluminum edge restraint pinned around the perimeter. That's the recipe for a hardscape that still looks tight and level 20 years from now.

Bob handles design, materials, layout, base prep, install, and finishing himself. You get one phone number, one craftsman, and one detailed written estimate up front — not a sales rep handing the job off to a crew you've never met.

What's Included

What Every Paver Project Covers

From the brand of paver to the polymeric sand swept into the joints, here's what goes into a Zeiler Construction paver install.

Brussels Block

Classic tumbled-edge paver in earth-tone color blends. A favorite for traditional homes, walkways, and Old World-style patios. Stocked in multiple sizes for random-pattern layouts.

Holland Stone

Rectangular interlocking paver — the workhorse for driveways and high-traffic patios. Tight herringbone or running-bond patterns give it real load-bearing strength under vehicles.

Techo-Bloc & Unilock

Premium designer paver lines with modern finishes — Blu 60, Borealis, Beacon Hill, Treo. We source directly from authorized dealers and can show you full-size samples on-site.

Custom Borders & Color Combos

Soldier-course borders, contrasting color bands, circle kits, inlays, and accent rows. Bob designs the layout with you in person — you'll see exactly how it'll lay before we order material.

Driveways, Patios, Walkways & Pool Surrounds

From a 200 sq ft front walkway to a 1,500 sq ft driveway-and-patio combo. Pool decks get extra attention to drainage and slip-rated finishes so the surface stays safe when wet.

Proper Gravel Base & Edge Restraint

4–6" compacted CA-6 gravel base for patios, 8–12" for driveways. Mechanical plate compaction every 2" lift. Plastic or aluminum edge restraint spiked every 12" around the perimeter so nothing migrates.

Sealing Services for Long-Lasting Protection

Optional paver sealing locks polymeric sand in place, brings out the color, and shields against oil stains, salt, and UV fade. We typically reseal every 3–5 years.

Why Zeiler

Why Homeowners Hire Bob for Pavers

Anyone with a Bobcat can lay pavers. Very few do it right. Here's what makes a Zeiler install different.

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20+ Years on Paver Crews Bob has personally laid hundreds of patios and driveways across MI and IL. He knows what fails in our freeze-thaw climate and builds to outlast it.

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Detailed Written Estimates You'll see materials, square footage, base depth, paver brand and color, edge restraint, and labor — itemized. No surprises mid-project, no vague line items.

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Bob Is On Site Every Day From the cut layout to the final sweep of polymeric sand, Bob runs the install himself. The person who quoted the job is the person doing the work.

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Built for Freeze-Thaw Country Deeper base, better drainage, and proper edge restraint matter even more in Michigan and Illinois winters. We build every paver job to handle 20+ seasons of freeze cycles.

Service Area

Paver Patios by City

See specific examples, common projects, and local pricing notes for your area.

Paver Patios in Palos Heights, IL

Paver Patios in Sister Lakes, MI

FAQ

Paver Patio Questions

The questions homeowners ask Bob most often before a paver project.

How much does a paver patio cost?

Every paver patio quote is based on the specific project — paver type (Brussels block, Holland stone, Techo-Bloc), patio size, base prep, and any custom borders or sealing. Bob gives free written estimates with no obligation so you know exactly what you're getting before any work starts. Call (708) 549-3180 for a quick ballpark over the phone.

What cities do you serve?

Zeiler Construction is based in Sister Lakes, MI and also serves the Palos Heights, IL area. We regularly work in Dowagiac, Niles, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, and Homer Glen. Call (708) 549-3180 to confirm we cover your address.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes — fully licensed for residential and commercial work in both Michigan and Illinois, bonded, and carrying full liability insurance. Bob can email a copy of the certificate before any project starts.

How long does a typical project take?

A paver patio is usually 3–7 working days. An outdoor kitchen is 2–4 weeks. Home additions run 6–12 weeks depending on scope. Bob gives you a realistic schedule in your written estimate and sticks to it.

Does Bob actually work on the projects himself?

Yes — Bob is on-site for every job, every day. No foremen, no subcontractor mystery crews. When you hire Zeiler Construction, you hire Bob personally.