How to Prepare Your Yard for a New Concrete Patio

Planning January 19, 2026

You've signed the contract, picked your colors, and your patio pour is scheduled. Now what? Here's exactly what to do (and not do) before the concrete crew shows up at your house.

What Your Contractor Will Handle

Backyard prepared for new concrete patio — ZBL Concrete

First, let's be clear about what your contractor should handle: all excavation and grading, removing the old patio or concrete, hauling away debris, setting up forms, and placing gravel base. You should not be renting equipment or digging up your yard yourself. That's what you're paying us for.

Here's what you can do to help the process go smoothly: Move all patio furniture, grills, planters, and decorations away from the work area. Give the crew at least 5-10 feet of clearance around the planned patio footprint. They need room for equipment, wheelbarrows, and material staging.

What You Should Do Before We Arrive

Trim back any bushes, shrubs, or tree branches that hang over or encroach on the patio area. Concrete trucks and equipment need clearance, and wet concrete shouldn't have leaves and debris falling into it. If you have sprinkler heads in the work area, mark them with flags so the crew can avoid them.

Completed backyard patio with fire pit by ZBL Concrete

Make sure there's a clear path from where the concrete truck will park (usually the street or driveway) to the backyard. If the truck can't get close, the crew will use wheelbarrows, but a shorter distance means a faster, smoother pour. Remove any gates or fence panels that might block access.

Common Questions About Yard Prep

Talk to your neighbors — especially if the concrete truck needs to park on the street or if the crew needs to access your yard through a shared side yard. A quick heads-up prevents conflicts. Also, keep pets and kids inside on pour day. Wet concrete and curious dogs don't mix.

One thing people forget: irrigation. If you have an underground sprinkler system, turn it off a few days before the pour. We need the soil to be slightly firm, not soggy. And make sure you know where your utility lines are — we call JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) before every project.

At ZBL Concrete, we walk you through all of this during the estimate. Bryan will identify any prep items specific to your yard. Call (312) 721-0835 to get started.