This is what our back yard currently looks like.
A couple of years ago, I had a slightly different plan for the yard. I asked a landscape designer and builder for an estimate of how much it would cost to execute. He said he would charge me $30,000 to do it all. Needless to say, that was not an option.
Our yard is approximately 50' x 50'. The perimeter has already been planted and mulched. I asked for enough gravel to cover 40' x 40' area with 2" of gravel. I bought everything at National Building Supply in Sylmar, CA.
3/8" pea gravel - 15 tons x $21 = $315
Decomposed granite - 8 scoops x $15 = $120
LB 3 Rivers Rock - 1,700 lbs (1 pallet) x $0.18 = $306
Delivery $75
Terra cotta brown charcoal bricks $1.30 per sq. ft. (normally $1.90) x 400 sq. ft. = $520
2nd Delivery $45. Not the red ones, the neutral ones. I just put them next to common red bricks for comparison.
Grand Total $1,381
The only thing I need in addition is a few 1" pvc pipes, and an edging to hammer down around the outside perimeter. Oh yeah, and it will also cost me blood, sweat, and pain; the labor of love.
