How to Get Pavers Level

Lay out your paving area and mark the perimeters with stakes and builder's twine. Measure with a tape measure to ensure the sides are even and straight. Excavate the area with a shovel 6 inches deeper than the pavers. Use a rake to smooth and level the surface as much as possible.

Tamp the ground with a hand tamper to solidify it. Put a level on the area to see if it's approximately level, but don't try to level the entire surface. Cover the area with black plastic or landscape fabric and install some type of edge restraint -- metal, plastic or wood -- to hold the underlayment material. Spread 4 inches of gravel over the area and tamp it solid.

Pour 2 inches of sand over the gravel and tamp it in place. Lay a long board across the area and set a level on top. Drag the board across the paving area, once it's level, to smooth the sand into a flat surface. Level it along both sides, if the paving area is a square or rectangular patio. For a walk, just drag the board along the path.

Lay a first paver at one corner and level it in the sand with the level. Add a second paver and level it. Put a string across the area, if it's a patio, and level it with a line level to serve as a guide. Move the string along the area as you work. Install pavers in any desired pattern by pressing them firmly into the sand. Keep a level handy and check every few pavers, adjusting the sand as needed to get them level.

Use a long level to check the level across the paved area once all pavers are installed. Use a rubber mallet to tap down any pavers that stick up. Remove pavers, adjust the sand base and reinstall if you find major bumps or depressions.