Patio Project

[mjsjake]

I found this site and hope that I can get some advice on my patio+walk way project. Unfortunately I have a friend of a friend who started this with me to the point where he installed a few form boards. Now he is gone and won't be back. 99% of the dirt has been removed at a depth of 4 inches.
The patio will be lined with brick pavers and portions of the patio will have a small retention wall made of cinder block with stucko finish. The patio will be a cement slab. I also feel I need a french drain on the back sides. I will have help from someone who has experience in pouring slabs...but I want to get this project to the point where all they have to do is pull the truck up and start pouring.
I would appreciate any advice on this project.

Things I need advice on:

1) Should I install the wall first then the slab? I have had several folks tell me one or the other.

2) Should I put any water proofing on the yard side of the wall?

3) How do I form the sides to allow for the brick pavers?


I have included photos and a sketch in the link below.

Click Here For Photos (http://www.webdestinations.net/patioproject/)

[Nebraska]

Why not hire it out to a professional landscape contractor?

[mjsjake]

That thought has crossed my mine several times but I would like to tackle this my self. I would not have posted here if was going to hire a professional landscaper. I know that I can do the job correctly with some advice. As long as I am pointed in the right direction so to speak. Although I do have a contractor friend coming by tomorrow to give insight on this project, I was hoping that someone here might want to chime in too with maybe their experience.