I'm going to give you what most contractors won't: the actual numbers. Not "$8–$40 per square foot" which tells you nothing. Real line items from real jobs we've done in North Port, Venice, Port Charlotte, and Englewood in 2025–2026.
I'm Dennis, owner of Epic Horizons Landscaping. We've installed pavers on driveways, patios, pool decks, and walkways across Southwest Florida. What follows is what I actually charge, what drives those costs up or down, and how to avoid the expensive mistakes I see homeowners make all the time.
The Short Version: What Pavers Actually Cost Here
All prices below are fully installed — demo of existing surface (if needed), base prep, pavers, polymeric sand, and final compaction. Materials and labor both included.
| Project Type | Paver Type | Installed Cost (per sq ft) | Typical Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway (full replacement) | Concrete tumbled | $18–$22 | $8,000–$15,000 |
| Driveway (full replacement) | Travertine | $22–$28 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Patio (new install) | Concrete tumbled | $17–$21 | $3,400–$6,300 |
| Patio (new install) | Travertine | $21–$27 | $4,200–$8,100 |
| Pool deck (resurfacing) | Travertine (natural) | $24–$32 | $9,600–$19,200 |
| Walkway / pathway | Brick or concrete | $20–$26 | $1,800–$5,200 |
Two Real Jobs — Actual Line Items
Job 1: Paver Driveway Replacement — North Port, FL
Property: 3-bedroom home in North Port, built 2005. Original concrete driveway was cracked with water pooling at the garage door every storm. HOA required matching the neighborhood's existing paver aesthetic.
Scope: Demo and haul existing concrete (450 sq ft), grade and compact 6-inch limerock base, install concrete tumbled pavers in herringbone pattern, polymeric sand, final compaction.
| Line Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Concrete demo and haul (450 sq ft) | $1,350 |
| 6" limerock base, graded and compacted | $2,700 |
| Concrete tumbled pavers (450 sq ft + 10% waste) | $4,400 |
| Polymeric sand and final compaction | $580 |
| Edge restraints and cleanup | $380 |
| Total | $9,410 |
Cost per sq ft: $20.91 installed. Project completed in 2 days.
Job 2: Travertine Pool Deck — Venice, FL
Property: Pool home in Venice, existing concrete deck was stained, cracked, and getting dangerously slippery in the afternoon rain. Homeowners wanted a clean look that would stay cool underfoot.
Scope: Demo concrete pool deck (380 sq ft), level and prep sub-base, install 16x16 travertine tiles in a directional pattern, polymeric sand, sealant application.
| Line Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Concrete deck demo and haul | $1,140 |
| Sub-base prep and leveling | $1,800 |
| Travertine 16×16 tile (380 sq ft + waste) | $6,840 |
| Polymeric sand, joints, and cleanup | $680 |
| Penetrating travertine sealant | $760 |
| Total | $11,220 |
Cost per sq ft: $29.53 installed. Project completed in 3 days.
What Actually Drives Your Price Up or Down
Base depth required
Florida's sandy soil does not compact the same way as clay soil up north. For driveways, we use a minimum 6-inch limerock base. For patios, 4 inches is usually adequate. If we find unstable or organic soil (which is common in North Port's older subdivisions), that base needs to go deeper — and that adds cost. This is non-negotiable; skip the base depth and your pavers will shift within 2–3 rainy seasons.
Paver type and source
Concrete tumbled pavers manufactured locally are cheapest. Travertine is imported (mostly from Turkey and Brazil) and runs 20–30% more. Brick pavers fall in the middle. For pool decks, travertine is the right choice — it stays dramatically cooler underfoot than concrete in the Florida sun, which matters when you're walking from the pool.
Demo of existing surface
If you're replacing concrete, add $2.50–$4.00/sq ft for demolition and haul-away. Asphalt is cheaper to demo. If you're doing a new patio on bare ground, skip that line item entirely.
Pattern complexity
Straight running bond: no upcharge. Herringbone or basketweave: adds roughly $1.50–$2.00/sq ft in labor. Diagonal herringbone or custom borders: add $2.00–$3.00/sq ft. The more cuts required, the more time it takes.
Site access and obstacles
Gate too narrow for the skid steer? Manual labor only — adds cost. Trees or AC units in the work zone? More time. Corner lots with long haul distances? More time. Always mention obstacles when getting quotes.
The Three Expensive Mistakes I See Homeowners Make
- Choosing the cheapest quote without asking about base depth. Any contractor who bids significantly below market is almost certainly cutting the base. Ask specifically: "What is your limerock base depth for this project?" If they can't answer, walk away.
- Not addressing drainage before pavers go down. Pavers will not fix a drainage problem — they'll redirect it somewhere worse. If water is pooling now, we need to correct the grade or install drainage before any surface material goes in. This is a separate scope item and adds cost, but skipping it guarantees callbacks.
- Sealing too soon or with the wrong product. Travertine needs a penetrating sealant, not a film-forming one. Film-forming sealants trap moisture beneath and cause the surface to flake in Florida's heat. And new pavers need to cure for 30 days before any sealant. We've re-done several jobs where homeowners hired a "sealing specialist" who used the wrong product.
Travertine vs. Concrete Pavers in Florida
The biggest decision most homeowners face. Here's the honest breakdown from someone who's installed both on hundreds of jobs:
- Surface temperature: Travertine stays 15–20°F cooler in direct Florida sun. On a pool deck, this is a meaningful difference. On a front driveway, it matters less.
- Appearance over time: Both travertine and quality concrete pavers age well if properly maintained. Travertine develops a slightly worn look that most people find attractive. Concrete holds its manufactured appearance longer but can show efflorescence (white salt bloom) in Florida's humidity if not sealed.
- Maintenance: Both need sealing every 3–5 years. Travertine needs a penetrating sealant; concrete accepts either penetrating or film-forming (use penetrating). Neither requires annual maintenance beyond cleaning.
- HOA compatibility: Most HOAs in North Port, Venice, and Port Charlotte permit both. Check your CC&Rs for color and pattern restrictions before ordering material.
- Price difference: Budget roughly 20–30% more for travertine. On a 400 sq ft driveway, that's approximately $1,600–$2,400 more total.
Our recommendation: Pool decks and patios — travertine is worth the premium. Driveways and walkways — concrete tumbled pavers deliver excellent results at lower cost, especially if the budget is a constraint.
Common Questions
Do I need a permit for paver installation in North Port?
For driveways in Sarasota County, a permit is typically required when installing an impervious surface exceeding a certain area or when changing the existing drainage pattern. We pull all required permits — never skip this. An unpermitted driveway can become a problem at resale and may force removal.
How long will the job take?
A standard driveway (400–600 sq ft) takes 1–2 days. A large pool deck (500–800 sq ft) takes 2–3 days. We work complete days — we don't partially install and come back next week. Your property is secured and cleaned up each evening.
What is your warranty?
We warrant our base work and installation for 2 years. This covers settling and joint failure due to workmanship. It does not cover damage from vehicle impact, tree root intrusion, or soil movement caused by plumbing leaks. Individual paver replacements are priced at cost of materials plus an hour of labor.