If the gaps are big it’s best to get something more solid in there for backing before taping. I can’t tell how big they are, but if the gaps are like 1/2 inch or more I’d just cut some strips from some of your drywall waste and fill those gaps as best you can. Then, tape.

A little mud goes a long ways. It’s easier to add more thin coats, than it is having to sand down thick coats. When I did my bathroom I ended up doing 3 coats, starting with 6 inch blade, then 8 then 12. Then I sanded most off cause it was too thick, and did the same process but with much thinner coats. Light sanding between coats. Turned out good.

I hated it so much though that I have hired a pro for every mud job big or small since then 😂

Thanks, I needed that. Top of concrete is above ground level, and I was careful to slope pavers so water runs away. You are probably right. I didn’t do enough planning/research and rushed it a bit given our season for outdoor projects is so short and had a few projects on the go. Then started second guessing when winter came and I got time to plan the roof and rest of finishing.

I think I screwed up. Been stressed about it all winter. In SK. Last year summer I set 6 6x6 12 ft posts PT in concrete for a future gazebo. 4 feet deep in sonotubes filled with concrete. Then I finished the pavers around them in the fall.

If I could do it all over again I would do as you said. Concrete piles and brackets. Have been debating all winter about starting over, but man that would be so much work.

If you have 6 inches to go up I’d put in a few inches of gravel, tamp it down level, then just place a 2x4 frame out of pressure treated with the top level with your patio to hold the pea gravel. At my new place I had to come up about 8 inches, so did a 4 inch tamped level gravel base with 2x4 frame filled with wood mulch.

Sounds good, pea gravel will work.

I don’t think I would bother digging down to put a base of larger rocks. Seems like a lot of work 😂

At our old place it was just weed barrier and then pea gravel on top and we had no issues.

Having had both pea gravel and wood mulch for area where dog does it’s business, I would do wood mulch. Found it easier to cleanup, and hides the mess better if you can’t clean up regularly. The base is the same idea though. A layer of weed barrier, and then 4-6 inches of mulch worked for me. Any weeds that do come up pull pretty easy.