My house has a nice backyard and I want to put on a deck or patio. Currently I have a covered side porch that is about 2-3 feet off of ground level in the back. My debate is whether to ask for a deck or to level the ground and get a patio.
Whatever I build has to:
- Big enough for a table that seats 4-6, a grill, and possibly a few chairs
- Immediate privacy on one side from my neighbors pool. I'm thinking a fence so I don't have to wait for landscape to grow
The land slopes up gently as it follows where the deck/patio would be built.
I'd like to be around $7,000 for the project. I'm OK using cheaper material (cement pad, basic lumber) if I can get functionality. I'm also open to renovating some of the side porch with that money.
I'm looking for any opinions here. I don't know anything about landscape design or cost of materials. Is leveling the ground and using pavers going to be cheaper than building a deck? Would concrete be a lot cheaper than pavers? Can I combine both a patio and a deck into one design?
Any and all opinions are welcome. I'm afraid when I talk to the professionals that each company will try to sell me what they're best at or make the most money on.