PatioFinds is a set of free calculators for outdoor projects: how many deck boards and joists a deck needs, how to lay out stairs, how many pavers and how much sand a patio takes, how much sod or grass seed a lawn needs, and how much soil a raised bed holds. You type the sizes and, where money is involved, your own prices; the site holds no price averages. Formulas and typical figures come from the sources named on each page. Results are estimates, so check the product label and your local building rules before you buy or build.
How to choose: pick the calculator for the part of the project you are working on. Start with the deck or patio calculators if you are working out materials for a surface, use the stair calculator when the height difference needs steps, and use the lawn and garden calculators when you are filling an area with sod, seed or soil. Enter your measurements in feet or metres, add a waste allowance if you want one, and read the steps shown under the result to see how each number was reached. The site is written for home owners and small contractors planning a weekend or single-season project. Where a rule depends on your area, such as stair rise limits or footing depth, the page says so and points you to your local building office.