Outdoor cluster
Outdoor Project Costs: Decks, Fences, Patios and Landscape Materials
Backyard projects fail on quantities more than on price: too little base gravel, too few pavers, the wrong depth of topsoil. This hub links every RenoCalc Hub outdoor guide, from deck and fence pricing to the base-material math behind patios, driveways and drainage.
- Hardscape lives or dies on base depth — 4-6 in compacted gravel for patios.
- Bulk materials are sold by the cubic yard; always convert depth in inches first.
- Deck and fence costs swing most on material grade, not on size.
Guides in this cluster
Deck Cost Calculator by Square Foot: 2026 Prices per Sq Ft by Material
A new deck runs $22–$95 per square foot installed in 2026 depending on material, height and railing choice. Here is the per-sq-ft math by material, plus labor share, add-ons and how ZIP-based labor moves the number.
Read guideFence Cost Calculator: How Much Does a Fence Cost in 2026?
A new fence costs $15 to $60 per linear foot installed in 2026. Wood runs $20–$40, vinyl $25–$55, chain link $12–$25, and aluminum $30–$60. Here's the full breakdown.
Read guideHow Much Does a Pergola Cost? 2026 Price Guide + Calculator
A standard 10x10 pergola costs $3,000 to $7,500 installed in 2026. Here is the full breakdown by size, material, kit vs custom, and DIY vs pro — plus the contractor formula to estimate any pergola in under a minute.
Read guideCost to Build a Shed in 2026: Real Prices by Size, Material & Region
A backyard shed costs $1,800–$18,000 in 2026 depending on size, material and foundation. Here is the real per-sq-ft math, kit vs site-built pricing, and how to budget for permits, electrical and the concrete pad.
Read guidePaver Installation Cost in 2026: Patio, Walkway & Driveway Prices per Square Foot
Paver installation runs $12–$32 per square foot installed in 2026. Material and laying pattern move the number more than any other variable — here is how to plan.
Read guidePaver Sand Calculator: How Much Sand Under Pavers (2026)
A 100 sq ft paver patio needs about 0.31 cubic yards (≈ 0.4 tons) of bedding sand at the standard 1-inch depth. Here is the contractor formula, a coverage chart, and the bedding vs jointing sand rules most DIY guides skip.
Read guidePolymeric Sand Calculator: How Many Bags You Need (2026)
Most paver patios need 1 bag of polymeric sand per 75–100 sq ft for 1/4" joints, and 1 bag per 35–50 sq ft for wider 1/2" joints. Here is the exact formula, a joint-width chart, and how to avoid the haze and wash-out that ruin most DIY installs.
Read guideHow Much Gravel for Paver Base? 2026 Calculator + Depth Chart
You need 4 inches of compacted gravel base for a paver patio or walkway, and 8 to 12 inches for a paver driveway. That works out to about 1.25 tons of crushed stone per 100 sq ft at 4 inches. Here is the full chart, the formula, and how to avoid the #1 mistake DIYers make.
Read guideHow Deep Should Pea Gravel Be? 2026 Depth Guide by Project
Pea gravel should be 2 to 3 inches deep for walkways and patios, 4 to 6 inches for driveways, and at least 6 inches for playgrounds. Here is the depth chart by project, the coverage math, and how many tons or bags you need per 100 sq ft.
Read guideHow Much Gravel for a French Drain? 2026 Calculator + Formula
A typical 100-foot French drain needs about 4 to 6 cubic yards of gravel. Here is the contractor formula, a size chart by trench width and depth, ton conversions, and how to avoid the #1 mistake that clogs French drains in under 2 years.
Read guideGravel Driveway Calculator: How Much Gravel Do I Need? (2026)
A typical gravel driveway needs about 1 ton of gravel per 80 sq ft at 4 inches deep. Use this guide to size your order in tons, yards, and dollars in 60 seconds.
Read guideHow Much Sod Do I Need? Free Calculator (2026)
Calculate exactly how many pallets, rolls, or pieces of sod you need — using the same waste factor and pricing rules sod farms use.
Read guideHow Much Mulch Do I Need? Free Calculator (2026)
Calculate exactly how many cubic yards or bags of mulch you need — using the same depth and coverage rules landscapers use.
Read guideHow Much Topsoil Do I Need? Calculator + 2026 Guide
Use the contractor formula Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth in inches) ÷ 324 to size any topsoil order. Here is the full guide with depth chart, lawn and garden examples, bag-vs-bulk math, and 2026 delivery prices.
Read guideCalculators for this topic
Frequently asked questions
How much does a deck cost per square foot in 2026?
Pressure-treated decks run about $30-$45 per square foot installed, composite $45-$75, and hardwoods higher. Elevation, railings and stairs add cost faster than deck area does.
How deep should paver base gravel be?
Use 4 inches of compacted crushed base for walkways and patios, and 6-8 inches for driveways or anywhere vehicles will park, plus about 1 inch of bedding sand.
How do I convert inches of depth to cubic yards?
Multiply area in square feet by depth in inches, then divide by 324. That gives cubic yards for gravel, mulch, sand or topsoil.