[sparkee]

I'm a newbie working with pavers and stone.What I need to know is what do I build first: The steps coming off a patio door or make the patio and then create the steps?

[zullo-design]

steps

[jshilan]

Steps - But shoot your elevations so you know where you are going to start and where you are going to finish. Also, depending on what you are building everything out of, make sure your risers are to code and they are all the same size.

Figure everything out on paper 1st or you'll make a mistake. Draw a quick side elevation to confirm your math. Suprises are bad.

If you want to take some pictures or give some other info (existing elevations, materials, etc) I'm sure we can give you some more guidance.

Also make sure you understand how flashing works so you don't rot out the house.

[Fine Edge]

Steps first. Especially for a newbie.

We've done raised patios where we had to build the wall first , then the patio and then the steps but it took constant grade shots to make sure we were dead on to code when we finished.
It also seemed to take forever doing it that way.

[Greensmith]

Steps, it is a lot easier to fudge pavers then concrete or heavy stone steps!