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How to prepare and lay a base for pavers

Person using compactor on outdoor gravel area.

Overview

Learn how to lay road base and prepare an area for paving. You'll see how to calculate the volume of road base fill you'll need. See how to install formwork around the area. Then we'll show you how to pack the base and level it.

Tools and materials

Tools

Materials

Steps

1Mark out the levels for the road base

Take your rake and level the area you want to pave. We're using an existing concrete verandah as a reference point. Mark this level along the wall to show the level the road base fill needs to come to. Take width by length by depth measurements and work out the volume of road base you need to fill the area.

Person using spirit level on top of piece of timber.

2Set up the formwork

Put formwork around the outer edges of the area to box it in. Lay the first edge of formwork in position and make sure it is straight, square and level. Attach the second edge to create a boxed area.  Hammer star pickets along the formwork and screw them to the timber to make sure it will stay in place.  

Person putting steel corner bracket in place between two bits of timber framing.

3Spread and level the road base

Use the wheelbarrow to bring the road base into the area. Spread it out evenly using the rake. Use the spirit level to check it is level. Use a hose to wet down the area. 

Person using spirit level on top of piece of timber.

4Compact the road base

Start compacting the base using the plate compacter. Take a couple of levels across the area to make sure the base is level and flat ready for paving.

Person using compactor on outdoor gravel area.

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.