Residential License # 890459
Commercial License # 3667
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Residential License # 890459
Commercial License # 3667
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If you live in Metairie, you already know the drill: nine months of heat, sudden downpours that dump two inches in twenty minutes, and clay-heavy soils that shift under anything not properly prepared. Building a custom patio here is not the same project it would be in Dallas or Denver. The materials, the drainage strategy, the foundation prep — all of it has to account for conditions that are specific to Jefferson Parish and the broader metro New Orleans area. That is exactly why working with a builder who understands this region matters more than finding the lowest square-foot price online.
At TurnKey Patio, we design and build custom patios throughout the Metairie service area, and we have seen firsthand what happens when a patio is built without proper local knowledge. Slabs crack within two seasons. Pavers heave because the base was not deep enough to handle saturated soil. Drainage gets routed toward the house instead of away from it. These are not hypothetical problems — they are the reason many Metairie homeowners call us to tear out and replace work done by less experienced contractors.
The word “custom” gets thrown around loosely in the outdoor living industry. Some contractors use it to mean “we’ll pour concrete in whatever shape you want.” That is not what we mean. A truly custom patio accounts for the specific dimensions and grade of your lot, the architectural style of your home, how you plan to use the space, and the environmental realities of where you live.
In Metairie, lot sizes vary considerably — from compact post-war ranch homes near Veterans Boulevard to larger properties closer to the lakefront. A custom approach means designing a patio that maximizes usable outdoor space without overwhelming the yard. It means selecting materials that perform in high humidity and resist mold and algae growth. And it means engineering drainage that works with Metairie’s notoriously flat terrain and high water table.
We also factor in the connection between indoor and outdoor living. Many Metairie homes have sliding glass doors or French doors that open onto the backyard. A well-designed custom patio extends that living space seamlessly, creating a transition that feels intentional rather than like an afterthought bolted onto the back of the house.
Material selection is where many patio projects go wrong in our climate. Here is a straightforward breakdown of what works and what does not in the Metairie area:
Interlocking concrete pavers remain one of the most reliable choices for Metairie patios. They handle thermal expansion well, allow for some flex in shifting soils, and individual pavers can be replaced if one cracks or stains. The key is base preparation — we use a compacted aggregate base that is significantly deeper than what you would see specified in drier climates. Without that depth, pavers will shift and settle unevenly within a year or two.
Travertine is popular for upscale Metairie patio projects because it stays cooler underfoot than concrete and has a natural, textured surface that resists slipping when wet. The trade-off is cost — natural stone runs significantly higher per square foot than concrete pavers. It also requires sealing to prevent moisture absorption and algae growth, and that sealing needs to be refreshed every two to three years in our climate.
Poured concrete with stamped patterns or acid staining gives the look of more expensive materials at a lower price point. However, stamped concrete in southeast Louisiana demands proper joint placement and a well-prepared sub-base. Without adequate control joints, the slab will crack — not “might crack,” will crack. The soil movement here guarantees it. We design joint patterns that account for expected movement while keeping the aesthetic clean. For homeowners exploring surface options, our patio paving options page covers additional material choices in detail.
One of the most common questions we get is “What does a custom patio cost?” The honest answer is that it depends on size, materials, site conditions, and complexity — but we can give you realistic ranges based on projects we have completed in the Metairie area.
A basic concrete paver patio in the 200-to-350-square-foot range typically falls between $8,000 and $15,000 installed, including base preparation and proper drainage. Mid-range projects that incorporate multiple materials, built-in seating walls, or integrated lighting generally land between $15,000 and $30,000. High-end custom patios with natural stone, outdoor kitchen integration, fire features, and landscape lighting can range from $30,000 to $60,000 or more.
These numbers include the site-specific work that is non-negotiable in our area: soil testing when needed, sub-base engineering, drainage routing, and compliance with Jefferson Parish building requirements. Contractors who quote significantly below these ranges are almost certainly cutting corners on base preparation — and you will pay for that later in repairs.
We believe homeowners should know exactly what is happening at each stage of their patio project. Here is what the process looks like for a typical custom patio installation in Metairie:
Before anything is drawn up, we visit the property and assess the existing grade, drainage patterns, soil conditions, proximity to the house foundation, and any utility lines. In Metairie, we pay special attention to how water currently moves across the lot during heavy rain — because our design has to improve that situation, not make it worse.
This is the most important phase of the entire project, and it is the one most commonly rushed by less experienced builders. We excavate to the required depth, install geotextile fabric to prevent soil migration into the aggregate, and compact the base in lifts. In areas with particularly soft or saturated soil — which is common near the 17th Street Canal corridor — we may need to go deeper or use additional stabilization methods.
Whether we are laying pavers, pouring concrete, or setting natural stone, the installation phase is where the design comes to life. We maintain tight tolerances on grade to ensure water flows in the intended direction, and we check levels constantly throughout the process.
Edge restraints are installed, joints are filled, any integrated features like lighting or drainage grates are finalized, and the site is cleaned. We walk the completed project with the homeowner before considering it done.
Total timeline for most Metairie patio projects runs between two and four weeks, depending on size and complexity. Weather delays are a reality here — we build that expectation into our scheduling from the start.
We cannot overstate how critical drainage design is for any hardscape project in Metairie. The city sits at or near sea level, the water table is high, and the soil does not absorb water quickly. A patio that does not actively manage water runoff will create pooling, accelerate foundation issues on the adjacent home, and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Every custom patio we build includes an integrated drainage plan. Depending on the site, this may involve channel drains along the patio perimeter, French drains beneath the surface, or grading the patio itself to direct water toward a specific discharge point. This is not an optional add-on — it is a fundamental part of the project.
We are not the only patio builder working in Jefferson Parish, and we would never claim otherwise. What we do offer is deep familiarity with local soil conditions, building requirements, and the specific challenges that come with outdoor construction in southeast Louisiana. Our crews work in this area every week. They know which neighborhoods have sandy fill and which sit on heavy clay. They know how to route drainage on a flat lot without relying on the street gutter system that may already be overburdened.
We also provide transparent pricing, clear timelines, and direct communication throughout the project. If you are considering a custom patio for your Metairie home, request a free consultation and we will walk through the process with you — no pressure, no generic quotes, just a straightforward conversation about what your space needs and what it will take to build it right.
Most custom patio projects in Metairie take between two and four weeks from groundbreaking to completion. Larger projects with integrated features like outdoor kitchens or fire pits may take longer. Weather delays are common during summer months and hurricane season, so we build buffer time into every project schedule.
Jefferson Parish generally requires a building permit for patio construction, especially if the project involves structural elements, electrical work for lighting, or gas lines for fire features. We handle all permit applications as part of our project management process, so homeowners do not need to navigate that independently.
Concrete pavers and travertine are the top-performing materials in our climate. Both handle heat, humidity, and heavy rain well when installed on a properly engineered base. The choice between them typically comes down to budget and aesthetic preference. Stamped concrete is a viable alternative at a lower price point, but it requires more attention to joint placement and sub-base preparation.
Yes — in fact, a well-designed patio project can actually improve drainage on a problem lot. We integrate drainage solutions like French drains, channel drains, and strategic grading into every patio design. The key is addressing the drainage challenge as part of the patio design, not after the fact.
Turnkey Patio 
