1. Excavate and spread clean yellow sand

Ensure area to be paved is free from vegetation and debris and is level with clean sand

2. Rough screed

Spread about 50cm of clean yellow sand over the area. level it off lightly using a straight board.

3. Compaction

Compact the area until ground is firm using a mechanical plate compactor which are available at all reputable equipment hire outlets on daily rates. Then spread 50mm minimum of clean yellow sand and spread out to create a bed for paving.

4. Setting channels

Hold the straight edge from the benchmark to the line fall point and level off a smooth channel to lay a screeding iron. You can use your spirit level to do this. Repeat this about two metres away and lay another screeding iron.

5. Setting Levels

Find a 'benchmark' level as close to the house as possible. The paving must fall away to a line fall so that water can run off. The ideal fall is 25mm over 3 metres. If you use a spirit level to do this, the inside of the bubble will be against the outer line. The level will be used for the fine screed.

6. Fine screed

Move the straight edge along the screeding irons moving the sand away and filling in any holes as you go. Repeat in area until complete. When area has been completely screeded lightly spray the area with water careful not to disturb the ground. This will create the final level to lay the paving.

7. Set out

Set up a few string lines about 2 metres apart at a right angle to the building. The edges of the paving must lie against the string lines to make sure the job is square.

8. Laying

Commence laying pavers to desired pattern on sand and tap down lightly using a rubber mallet only. Use the string line at intervals to ensure your pattern is straight. A gap of 2 to 3 mm is required between each paver for sand filling. (Note pavers should not make contact with each other.)

9. Cutting

Using a diamond blade brick saw cut into fill all part pavers and curves to suit the pattern chosen.

10. Edge restraints

This will ensure that your paving will not move. This is best done by lifting the leader course of pavers and scraping about 20mm depth of sand from the edge and then laying a cement mortar slightly over filling and then tapping the header course back in to position using a straight edge to maintain a straight and level line.

11. Joint sand fill

Using a hard bristled broom spread and sweep whitewashed sand over the paving, filling in all joints as you go, to create a locked system. Sweep away most (not all) of the excess sand.

12. Final compaction

Again using a mechanical plate compactor, lay it over a piece of carpet and slowly run it over the newly laid paving. The plate should not come into direct contact with the pavers. As the compactor vibrates, more jointing sand will fall between the joints. Finally sweep away the rest of the white sand.