Despite how they look, you will find that the patio is going to slope just a little bit to one direction or another. This helps the rain to drain off and can prevent it from pooling on the patio or backing up into the home. Your contractor should help you to pick out the right grade for the patio to make sure that it looks good and will keep your home safe. Any patio that is within 10 feet of your foundation, including the ones attached to the home, will need to have a ¼ inch per foot, or a 2% fall away from the building. This is not very much so it is hard to notice without looking closely, but it will help to move the water just enough, so it does not damage the patio. This 2% slope is going to be required for all types of hardscape surfaces including gravel, concrete, wood, and pavers. There is usually a maximum in place for how much of a slope you can have with your patio. 5% is the normal for a patio to allow for drainage without it being too noticeable and 8% is enough to allow for unassisted wheelchair movement if a ramp is being used for someone who is disabled in the property. For most patios though, the 2% slope is plenty and it is what your contractor will use.