Beat the Frost: Your Guide to Renting Equipment for a Patio or Walkway Project

The Hardscaping Project Blueprint: From Groundbreaking to Completion

A long-lasting patio or walkway is all about the base. Skimping on the foundation prep is the number one reason hardscapes fail, leading to shifting pavers, cracks, and frost heaves after just one New Hampshire winter. The secret to a professional result lies in using the right machine for each phase of the project.

Phase 1: Excavation – The Heavy Lifting

The Task: The first step is to dig out the designated area to the proper depth, typically 6-8 inches, to make room for the gravel base. This means removing all the sod, topsoil, and any hidden rocks or roots.

The Wrong Way: A shovel, a wheelbarrow, and a month of sore muscles. Manually digging out an area for even a small 12x12 foot patio means moving over 3 tons of earth. It’s a grueling, slow, and often project-killing first step.

The Right Tool: A Mini Excavator

Renting a mini excavator, like one of our versatile Kubota models, transforms this phase from a marathon into a sprint. In just a few hours, you can accomplish what would take days of manual labor.

• Power & Precision: Easily dig through compacted soil and pop out the rocks that are famous in our New Hampshire ground.

• Speed: Excavate your entire project area quickly and efficiently, getting you to the next phase faster.

• Versatility: Use different bucket sizes for digging out the main area or for trenching around the perimeter.

Phase 2: Material Movement & Grading – The Foundation

The Task: Now that you have a hole, you need to get the excavated dirt out and bring the new base material—tons of crushed gravel and stone dust—in. This material must be spread evenly and graded with a slight slope (about 1/4 inch per foot) to ensure proper water drainage away from your home's foundation.

The Wrong Way: Dozens upon dozens of heavy, back-straining wheelbarrow trips from the pile in your driveway to the project site.

The Right Tool: A Compact Track Loader / Skid Steer

This machine is the undisputed champion of material handling. A Bobcat or Kubota track loader is the ultimate labor-saver for this phase.

• Massive Efficiency: Move tons of gravel or dirt in minutes, not hours. One bucket load is equivalent to numerous wheelbarrow trips.

• Easy Grading: Use the edge of the bucket to spread your gravel base evenly and accurately, establishing the critical slope for drainage.

• Compact Power: These machines are designed to work in residential spaces, delivering immense power without requiring a huge amount of room to operate.

Phase 3: Compaction – The Most Critical Step

The Task: This is the most important and often-skipped step for a long-lasting hardscape. You must compact the layers of your gravel base until they are solid and unyielding. This creates a stable foundation that prevents pavers from settling and, most importantly, resists the immense power of winter frost heaves.

The Wrong Way: A hand tamper. While it might seem sufficient, a hand tamper simply can’t generate the force needed to properly lock the layers of gravel together. This will almost certainly lead to a failed patio within a few years.

The Right Tool: A Plate Compactor

Renting a plate compactor is non-negotiable for a quality hardscaping project. This machine uses a heavy plate that vibrates rapidly, settling the aggregate into a dense, stable, and durable base.

• Professional Results: A plate compactor ensures your base is properly prepared to withstand decades of use and harsh New Hampshire winters.

• Save Your Body: It does the hard work for you, delivering thousands of pounds of compaction force with little effort from the operator.

Phase 4: The Finishing Touches

The Task: Once your base is in and your pavers are laid, you’ll need to make precise cuts for edges and patterns. If you're pouring a slab, you'll need a way to mix a large amount of concrete quickly and consistently.

The Right Tools: A Concrete Saw & Concrete Mixer

• Concrete Saw (Cut-off Saw): Renting a saw with a diamond blade is the only way to get clean, sharp, professional-looking cuts on pavers or bricks. It’s essential for fitting pieces along edges or creating intricate patterns.

• Concrete Mixer: For a concrete slab patio, mixing by hand in a wheelbarrow is exhausting and leads to inconsistent results. A rental mixer ensures every batch is perfectly combined for maximum strength and a uniform finish.

Project Planning: Your Pre-Rental Checklist

1. Finalize Your Design: Know the exact dimensions of your project. This will determine how much you need to excavate and how much base material to order.

2. Call 811 Before You Dig: This is a crucial safety step. Call Dig Safe at 811 a few days before you plan to start. They will mark the location of any underground utility lines on your property for free, preventing a dangerous and costly accident.

3. Talk to the Pros at NorthPoint: Give us a call! Tell us about your project—the size, the access to your yard, the type of soil you have. We’ll act as your equipment consultant, ensuring you rent the right-sized excavator and loader for your specific job.

4. Coordinate Your Rental & Material Delivery: Plan to have your equipment delivered and ready to go when your gravel and other materials arrive. This maximizes the efficiency of your rental period.

NorthPoint is Your Foundation for a Successful Project

At NorthPoint Equipment Rentals, we’re more than just a place to get machinery. We are a family-owned business that understands the challenges of working in New Hampshire. We know the soil is rocky and the working season is short. That's why we provide reliable, low-hour equipment from top brands like Kubota and Bobcat that won't let you down. Our team is here to provide the expert advice you need to choose the right tools and the operational guidance to use them safely and confidently.

Don't Let Winter Win – Build Your Dream Patio Now!

The window of opportunity is open, but it’s closing fast. Seize these last precious weeks of the season to build the patio or walkway you'll enjoy for years to come. With a solid plan and the right power equipment, you can get it done faster than you ever thought possible.

Contact us today to discuss your project and reserve the equipment you need to beat the frost.

Our Locations

NorthPoint Equipment Rentals - Tilton

• Address: 185 Laconia Road, Tilton, NH 03276

• Phone: 603-499-7926

NorthPoint Equipment Rentals - Ashland

• Address: 130 Main Street, Ashland, NH 03217

• Phone: 603-375-4161