This looks like a great forum and helpful so I thought I would ask:

I am going to be building a patio at home, about 18 x 26 or so. The issue I have is that right now my backyard grades away from the house, which is a good thing, but the with grade obviously leveling will be a big process for the start of the patio. As the slope is about a 8 to 12 inch difference from the highest point do I need to build a retaining wall for the patio before adding dirt or sand?

I have a garage door that will be leading out to the patio so I don't want to dig down to level the patio out. Didn't want to install a step.

Thoughts?