About Plot & Pave
Last updated November 8, 2026
Plot & Pave makes free planners and step-by-step guides for backyard building projects: patios, gravel, concrete, retaining walls, garden beds and drainage.
Who runs this site
Plot & Pave is owned and run by Nimatullah. Nimatullah writes the guides and maintains the planners. Every quantity on the site comes from the same tested calculation code, and each guide is checked against manufacturer installation instructions and university extension or industry sources before it is published.
How the planners work
Each planner turns your measurements into material quantities using standard volume and area formulas. Every planner page lists those formulas and the assumptions behind them, such as how much extra gravel to order for compaction, or how much waste to allow for cuts in a given paver pattern. You can check every number by hand.
- We round up. You can't buy 403.2 pavers, so quantities round up to whole pavers, bags and pieces.
- We use typical values. Material densities and bag coverage vary by product and supplier. We use mid-range figures and tell you which ones, so you can swap in the numbers from your own product.
- Prices are yours. Example prices are clearly labelled. For a real budget, enter quotes from your local store or supplier.
Accuracy and corrections
If you find a number that looks wrong, or a situation a planner doesn't handle, please tell us. We fix confirmed errors and note significant changes on the page.
Safety
The planners are for estimating materials, not engineering. Retaining walls over about 4 feet, structures near property lines, and anything carrying vehicles may need a permit or an engineer. Check local rules, and in the US call 811 before you dig.
How the site is funded
Plot & Pave is free to use and is supported by advertising. Ads never change what a planner calculates.