How much to do myself? - Keeping costs down by diy

[ageinginexperiencedwillin]

My Username is accurate. I would like to build a patio - which is away from the house on a sloping area of land. The patio will be roughly triangular in shape. The 'base' of the triangle will be provided by a garden wall, the second side of the triangle will edge the lawn and a garden border and will have a path leading away from the patio. The last side will be bounded by a border and a set of steps leading up to the patio.

The path leading away from the patio will also be sloping.

I cannot afford to have the whole project professionally constructed and need to keep costs down as much as possible. I think for safety the steps at least should should be completley built by a professional.

So what stages should I use a professional to do the job and what can I have a go at myself?

Do you think I could do it all? Though along with limited finances I also have limited time. So maybe this will take all summer?

Or what parts of the job would you suggest I do? I don't mind hard work. My husband has a bad back so he cannot help physically - but he has a very good 'straight eye' (if that makes sense).

Thank you

[Suggers]

This must be a wind-up - probably that Sim bloke - we love his products - known locally as "phone-a-risk".....

[Tony McC]

What sort of paving?

[ageinginexperiencedwillin]

In reply to Suggers - NO this is not a wind up. Why shouldn't a woman want to create a patio - even if she is inexperienced? Everyone has to start somewhere. It was finding this website that gave me the idea to have a go myself.

Helpful comments will be appreciated.

Thank you.

[ageinginexperiencedwillin]

Reply to Moderator:

I think it will be tumbled blocks, but not sure about those on steps. I've also had an idea about randomly inserting some sort of white (quartz like) stone to provide an additional trail that would go along the line of the path from the patio, through the patio and then down the steps.

The wall that the patio is going to be against is quite old, with limestone mortar and small handmade (I think) bricks.

Thanks

[Suggers]

Please accept my humble apologies on bended knee - initial post sounded so freaky together with le nom - any support I can possibly give is yours......there again, I'm only a horse-riding drummer - what do I know?
The Brew Cabin is a great place to throw around ideas & insults.
Bit like a real tea-room.
I'm sure you can do this project.
Yours in anticipation.
Suggs.

[simeonronacrete]

No it isn't me, sorry Suggers. And I had no idea I had such a reputation; and I'm not sure if it's a good one or a bad one. Maybe I'm better off not knowing.

Good luck Mrs "ageinginexperiencedwillingfemale"; hope it goes well. You've come to the right place for solid advice, and definitely some friendly banter!!

[Suggers]

Sim- Sorry to assume - nothing wrong with your reputation -apart from that one night in Bangkok - or so I've heard.....
Ageingexperience - howabout a couple of photos ??