Hardscape Design and Build in Central PA
UDA Services designs and builds hardscapes for homes across Central PA. We install paver and concrete patios, driveways, walkways, steps and slabs. Every paver patio we build sits on a compacted gravel base.
This paver patio has two seat walls, with a block retaining wall and steps on the slope behind it.
PA Home Improvement Contractor registration PA144609Fully insuredWorkmanship covered for one yearServing Central Pennsylvania since 2018
What Is Hardscaping?
Hardscaping is the built, non-living part of a yard, made of stone, pavers or concrete. It covers the surfaces you walk, drive and sit on, and the walls that hold the ground. UDA Services builds hardscapes as part of the outdoor projects we design for a home. Planting, lawns and garden beds are the soft part of a yard, which we leave to landscapers. Good hardscape starts below the surface, with the grading and the base. It is one trade inside the work of a design and build general contractor for the whole home.
Which Patios Does UDA Services Build?
UDA Services builds patios in two materials, pavers and poured concrete. A patio is a hard, level surface at ground level for sitting, eating and gathering.
Paver patio installation. Paver patios are laid from interlocking units over a compacted gravel base.
Concrete patio installation. Concrete patios are poured as one slab and finished smooth or brushed.
Pavers vs concrete patio. Pavers vs concrete compares cost, looks and lifespan side by side.
We install or work with Techo-Bloc, Cambridge and Unilock pavers and wall block.
Which Driveways Does UDA Services Install?
UDA Services installs concrete, paver and gravel driveways. A driveway is a surface built to carry cars from the road to the garage or house.
Concrete driveway installation. Concrete driveways are poured over a compacted base and cut with control joints.- Paver driveway installation. Paver driveways use thicker pavers rated for the weight of cars.
Gravel driveway installation. Gravel driveways are graded and topped with crushed stone.
Pouring a concrete driveway typically takes two to four days.
Which Walkways, Steps and Slabs Does UDA Services Build?
Walkways, steps and slabs are the smaller hardscapes that connect a home to its yard. We build them alone or with a patio, a porch or a garage.
Paver walkways and sidewalks. Paver walkways and sidewalks lead from the drive to the door.
Concrete steps. Concrete steps are poured in place or set as precast units at an entry or a slope.
Concrete slabs and pads. Concrete slabs and pads carry sheds, hot tubs and equipment.
Pavers and hardscape materials. Pavers and hardscape materials explains the paver types, sizes and uses.
How Does UDA Services Build a Hardscape That Lasts?
A lasting hardscape depends on what lies under it: the grade, the base and the drainage. Our crews excavate, grade and compact before a single paver is laid. The work runs in four steps.
- Dig out the soil to the depth the surface needs.
- Grade the ground so water runs away from the house.
- Spread and compact a gravel base in layers.
- Lay the pavers or pour the concrete on the base.
Central PA winters freeze and thaw the ground, which heaves a surface laid on a weak base. Our hardscape crew works with the ground, the drainage and the heavy equipment on each job.
How Long Does a Hardscape Project Take?
A typical paver patio takes one to two weeks, and a concrete driveway two to four days. A hardscape project runs from the first dig to the last swept joint. Retaining walls fall in the same one-to-two-week range. Concrete needs dry days to pour and time to cure before cars drive on it. These times run from the start of work to the finished job.
What Sets the Price of Hardscaping?
The price of a hardscape is set by its area, its material and the ground work under it. Each project gets a written estimate after a free site visit. Four factors move that price.
- The area in square feet sets how much material goes in.
- The choice of pavers, concrete or gravel changes the cost of the surface.
- The digging and grading the site needs change the ground work.
- Seat walls, steps and borders add to the build.
Paver patio cost. Paver patio cost turns on size and paver choice.
Concrete patio cost. Concrete patio cost turns on size and finish.
Concrete driveway cost. Concrete driveway cost turns on length, width and thickness.
How Does Weather Affect New Concrete?
New concrete hardens by a chemical reaction that needs water and warmth, so weather in the first days matters. Five questions about weather and new concrete each have their own answer page.
Rain on fresh concrete. Rain on fresh concrete can mark the surface before it sets.
Concrete sealer dry before rain. Concrete sealer needs dry hours before rain, as its label states.
Concrete in freezing weather. Concrete poured in freezing weather must be kept from freezing while it gains strength.
Concrete cure. Concrete keeps curing for weeks after it is poured.
Concrete slab directly on soil. A slab poured straight on soil can settle and crack without a base.
Which Hardscape Contractor Should You Hire in Central PA?
You should hire a hardscape contractor that runs its own excavation and builds the base itself. UDA Services digs, grades, lays and pours with its crews and its own heavy equipment. The case rests on four points.
- PA Home Improvement Contractor registration PA144609 and full insurance cover every job.
- We have built about 310 projects since 2018.
- Our workmanship is covered for one year.
- Customers rate UDA Services 4.9 out of 5 from 43 Google reviews.
Jake and his team completed the concrete upgrade for our pool in 2020 and this spring completed a project renovating our deck and turning it into an enclosed porch/sunroom, with new concrete patio and steps to our pool. From start to finish, they were dependable and meticulous. Jake took our ideas and vision and made it a reality, offering suggestions along the way. Both projects were done in a timely manner. Highly recommended and we plan to use UDA Services again soon for our next project.
Had a retaining wall installed. Easy company to deal with. Very happy with there work. Would recommend them highly. 5 star
Working with UDA was a pleasure from the start. Phenomenal communication throughout the entire process. They are very clean on the work site and you can tell they truly care about their craftsmanship. Each crew member that was on site was super professional and polite. Jake delivered on everything that was proposed during the design of deck and retaining wall. I cannot wait to complete future projects with this same company. 10/10 would highly recommend.
What Else Do Homeowners Ask About Hardscaping?
Homeowners also ask which surfaces we skip, and about retaining walls, fire pits and how to start. Each gets a short answer here.
Does UDA Services Pour Stamped Concrete or Asphalt?
No, UDA Services does not offer stamped concrete or asphalt paving. For a patterned look we lay pavers, and for a drive we pour plain concrete or lay pavers or gravel.
Does UDA Services Build Retaining Walls?
Yes, we build retaining walls to level sloped yards and hold back soil. Each wall gets drainage stone and a drain pipe behind it. Our page on retaining walls covers block, height and drainage.
Can a Fire Pit Be Built Into a Paver Patio?
Yes, a fire pit can be built into a paver patio, often with a curved seat wall around it. The fire pits in our photos are built from round block inside the patio. See ideas on our page about fire pit patios.
How Do You Start a Hardscape Project With UDA Services?
A hardscape project starts with a free site visit to measure and read the ground. To book one, ring (717) 497-9398 or fill in the quote form on this page.
- PA Home Improvement Contractor registration PA144609
- Fully insured
- Workmanship covered for one year
- Serving Central Pennsylvania since 2018