Can ask me anything about Landscaping. Personally, I have laid...

Can ask me anything about Landscaping.
Personally, I have laid pavers on mortar as stepping pads, and then put nice stones over riversand, as this is good for drainage. I wouldn't spend much around side of house.

Pavers, you need a good base, roadbase, not crusher dust. With trades, I would get recommendations from local landscape supply yards, and always ask to see previous jobs in your area. Glued and grouted on plain concrete is best, but more expensive. Just seal anything once they are laid, and easier to look after from new.

Finally, my style was "Palm Springs" - low maintenance was key, so lots of tropical succulents, avo style trees, stones. etc, and the best - 40mm synthetic grass, even on my footpath area. You can get quality tri colour grass now, around $33 sqm. and easy to lay. 70mm crusher + tape joints, peg outside every metre, then fine beach sand swept into grass holds it down.
voila, no mowing, no weeds, no sprays, and hardly any ants. love it