We have a new building in town and I watched as they laid stone on the side walk, they put down a layer of crush and run, then rolled it, another layer of course sand and rolled it as well. Before they laid the stone they used a long 2x4, working back and forth leveling the base. And finally the stone which they hammered with a mallet. Looks good.if it is something you haven't done charge them an hourly rate for the machine and labor after doing one or two you will have a better idea of whats involved.....Jeff
Thanks for the help. I had at talk with my stone supplier and she suggested any where around 29.00-33.00/sqft including all materials and labourDepends on the market in your area but I would think for preparing the base would be $8-10 /ft2.