How much does a concrete patio cost?

Concrete Patio Cost: The Complete Guide

Other than a swimming pool or an additional garage, chances are that putting in a patio will be one of your most significant outdoor investments on your property. While there is a broad range of options available within each of the alternative patio construction choices, of the most common options available, the stone patio option will generally rank as the highest cost project, and a concrete patio is generally the least expensive choice.

This pricing guide covers:

The cost of a concrete patio, on average, is:

The lower prices will be for straightforward concrete, and the higher cost will include additions like color treatment and stamping—to create textures and designs, including the look of tile grooves.

Concrete vs. other materials

Concrete is one of the most durable materials you can use for your patio. It’s especially good for warmer climates because it doesn’t absorb heat well, and it can last for up to fifty years without needing to be resurfaced or resealed. You can even install concrete pavers by hand and avoid the cost of pouring concrete.

Hire a contractor who uses high-quality concrete, or consider a contractor who can lift in interlocking pavement, like Unitedcorp of New Jersey in Monroe Township, NJ, who is Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute certified.

An entry level concrete patio can typically cost around $5/sqft and a more elaborate concrete patio that is stamped, designed, or given color treatments can cost up to $18/sqft.

The following table details some average costs for plain patios, according to Craftsman’s 2018 National Estimator:

Compared to brick

• Bricks are a possible alternative for a patio—they come in a variety of colors and you can get creative in your designs with them.
• They are more likely to crack, break, and shift.
• You have to power wash and reseal the surface every year.

Compared to a wooden deck

• You won’t have to deal with mold, rot, or termites.
• A deck’s wood fades if not treated,
• Decks can cost approx. $30/sqft to build.
• It might not be able to hold the weight of a hot tub or BBQ grill and kitchen area either.
• Many local authorities require a permit and inspection for deck building.
• Usually needs to be power washed, stained, and resealed very few years.

Design features

Your contractor can create a finish on the concrete to replicate the more expensive options through adding color treatment and through a process called stamping and/or scoring. When designing the patio and landscaping together, consider hiring a contractor like Excel Construction in Van Nuys, CA, that is equipped to install your new patio and take care of your landscaping needs.

“We work with our customers as partners, providing and listening to advise and pointing out the advantages of different materials. ... Get a quote(s) from somebody else, then call us and well try to beat your best quote by at least 10%. If we can beat it, then you just got yourself the best possible price.” -says Excel

Below is a more comprehensive list of potential finish options for your concrete patio.

Broom finished concrete

This is a concrete surface finish that is broomed before it dries. An easy and cheap way to add a decorative edge that is slip resistant. Add on $0.39/sqft.

• Appearance: With this finish, you can see the brushstrokes left behind when a stiff yard brush is dragged across the almost set concrete. The resulting finish is safe in all conditions because it is very difficult to slip on.
• Pros: Affordable, fast to complete for the installer, slip resistant
• Upkeep: Gentle pressure washing, and, like most sealed patio surfaces, should be resealed every couple of years to keep it in top condition.
• Summary: Great way to add an interesting and safer finish to concrete slag. Fast to complete and very affordable.

Chemical acid stain concrete

This is the most sought-after permanent color treatment for cement and concrete patio surfaces. Typically used to create a range of earth tones, these stains are naturally variegated, colorfast, and have a high-end appearance. Colored concrete costs about $30–53/cu. yd., and more if a separate mixer needs to be delivered and cleaned after for each color.

• Appearance: A surface that yields a range of rich, rusty, or patina tones. Has a naturally earthy, variegated shade.
• Pros: When treated with acid stain, the concrete will not fade, flake, or peel because of the chemical bonding process to adhere it permanently to the concrete surface.
• Upkeep: Because sealing is not necessary, it won’t need to be resealed every few years, but do a gentle power wash if needed.
• Summary: Allows for the creation of a unique, random finish with natural colors without needing any sealant.

Decorative stencil masking

Concrete stencils can be used by your installer. Stenciling will cost $1–$25 more per square foot.

• Appearance: This process allows for both layering and colors to be used, delivering an old-world craftsman’s look.
• Pros: Perfect for the homeowner who wants a unique look for the patio.
• Upkeep: Pressure wash to clean, and if sealed, then reseal every few years.
• Summary: With the right design input, this is an excellent way for homeowners to take some grey concrete slab and apply their individuality to it.

Engraved concrete

Engraved concrete produces a realistic paving or brick design as the result of hand carving and/or the use of a diamond blade cutting wheel to cut a decorative pattern. DECK-O-ART in McKinney, TX, says, “Are you looking for decorative concrete that looks and feels like flagstone at half the price? We can apply right over the existing concrete, whether you have textured or aggregate types of concrete.” Scoring costs about $0.16/linear foot.

• Appearance: The finished product is clean looking and feels extremely realistic.
• Pros: While appearing to be a surface created from stone or bricks, grout cracking or separation is not an issue and weeds will not grow up through the concrete.
• Upkeep: Reseal the concrete every few years and clean with a gentle power washer.
• Summary: Scored grout lines give a patio the appearance of having real brick, tile, or stone.

Exposed aggregate

Your choice of pebbles or aggregate added to the concrete mix is what creates the range of different styles and adds to the durability. Will last a very long time. $0.90–$1.80/sqft extra.

• Appearance: The exposed aggregate gives a surface of small stones or pebbles. When walking on it, you experience something similar to acupressure on your feet.
• Pros: Adds a higher surface of exposed aggregate in the form of pebbles. It is quite difficult to damage when compared to just concrete on its own.
• Upkeep: In addition to resealing every few years, pressure wash on a low setting so as not to dislodge any of the pebbles yet clean out the accumulated dirt and grit.
• Summary: A durable finish with a timeless style that compliments many outdoor design choices.

Stamped concrete

Stamped concrete is a leader in versatility, colors, and uniqueness. In addition to blending color in during the mixing process, installers can also add another color while placing the cement, and a further set of surface color and patterns to the finish. Stamping will cost $1.50–$1.70 more per square foot. Choose a contractor who has a portfolio of front-line stamping work, like Hi-Tech Builders in Encino, CA.

• Appearance: Replicates the look of natural rock tile, and stone patterns like slate, brick, flagstone, and natural stone.
• Pros: Looks incredible. Because it is a continuous block of concrete, it prevents weeds from growing, and cleaning it is an easy task.
• Upkeep: Depending on wear, climate, and usage, occasional power washing and resealing every couple of years is typically required.
• Summary: The widest variety of patterns, colors, and textures available.

Painted or coated concrete

For the amount of money it will cost, either painting or coating concrete is a great way to add design and/or color to your patio concrete with professional quality products.

• Pros: Depending on your concrete contractor’s skill, you should have the choice of literally any color.
• Upkeep: Standard cleaning methods and resealing every couple of years.
• Summary: A straightforward, inexpensive way to add designs or color to your concrete slab.

The biggest factor to impact the cost of a patio is the intricacy of the design. If your patio is going to have lots of curves or a complicated paving pattern, expect to pay considerably more. This price increase is due to the additional time and effort it will take to install the patio. Anytime a contractor has to make special cuts or spend time laying pavers in an exact pattern, the labor costs are going to go up.

Concrete Patio Size

The size of your desired patio will obviously determine the baseline cost for the project. Some homeowners prioritize size over design while others choose design over size. The following factors would normally be considered when you determine use first:

1. How many people live in the house
2. How likely you are to entertain on the patio, and if so, how many people you’d like to accommodate
3. How many patio chairs and what size table you’d like to have
4. If you want a barbecue grill and what size it would be
5. If you want an outdoor sink and counter
6. If you want a fire pit or outdoor butane heaters

Patio Furniture

Some examples of patio furniture sizes include the following:

Tables

to comfortably sit at and serve a full meal on:

4 people

Up to 46 inches required

• Square tables up to 40 inches,
• Round tables up to 44 inches
• Oblong or rectangular tables up to 46 inches

4 to 6 people

Up to about 60 inches required

• 6 to 8 people - Up to about 70 inches
• 8 to 10 people - Up to about 96 inches

Seats

Traditional patio seating:

• Sofa – 76” wide x 31” deep
• Loveseat – 57” wide x 32” deep
• Armchair – 34” wide x 32” deep
• Chairs - 21” wide x 16” deep

The top 4 style patios include the following styles

Living room patio

• Average size for a living room patio is 16’ x 18’.
• Mirrors the functionality of a living room except that it is outdoors.
• Features larger, more comfortable lounge chairs, a coffee table, and an outdoor sofa.
• Might feature either a firepit or an outdoor fireplace, lighting, and possibly some form of water feature like a waterfall or fountain.
• A common feature is the addition of a pergola.

Outdoor dining patio

• Average size of 12’ x 14’.
• You can seat between 6–8 people around a round table with a diameter of 48”.
• Allow enough room to walk around the table and pull out chairs.

Sundeck patio

• Average size of 5’ x 9’.
• Enough space for a few lounge chairs and an additional 3’ around the chairs, plus enough room for a small cocktail table.
• A nice resting spot near an outdoor pool, or outside the master bedroom with access through sliding glass doors.

Bistro patio

• The smallest patio, with an average size of 5’ x 7’.
• Room for a small table and a few chairs.
• In the autumn and winter months, swap out the table for a firepit.

It is a standard rule of thumb to add 3’–5’ around any furniture to allow people to move freely behind chairs.

Prep work

Removing an existing patio

You can use hand tools to break up or dig up an old patio, or drive in large equipment to dig the soil to a uniform depth. The cost will include preparation of the area, protective measures set up for the home and surrounding trees, and removal of debris. Concrete can be crushed and then reprocessed or recycled as granular refill, course base material for new pavement, or as aggregate in new concrete. This saves you the transportation and disposal fees ($100 per ton for disposal) because recycling companies will pick it up, and you’ll avoid adding to landfills.

Grading

Subgrade is the earth underneath the patio structure. If this is not professionally prepared, there is a high chance that the concrete will crack as it settles. Make sure that the subgrade soil is prepared so that it gives adequate, firm support and will not move or wash away.

1. Take care of drainage issues that direct water away from the structure so it doesn’t pool around the patio and erode the underlying subgrade.
2. The earth will need to be compacted to ensure there is a solid base for the concrete. This ensures it has a uniform ability to bear the weight for the entire surface area. This is achieved by excavating the area and removing rocks, saturated or soft soils (known as cutting), and either working with suitable dirt from the area or bringing in an alternative fill like crushed stone of a uniform size, or well-graded gravel. (Alternatively, if you are planning for the construction of a paver patio or dry laid stone, then the existing soil will need to have a layer of sand and gravel compacted over it.)
3. Typically, compacting the soil base to a height of 6” will provide a solid subgrade, which will then be ready to pour the concrete on top of.
4. Regulations for residential patio construction typically won’t include compaction testing to ensure a uniform strength.
5. In regions where the soil freezes for many of the winter months, the subgrade foundation for the patio must go below the frost line to ensure it remains when the soil thaws out and causes movement in the soil. Local building departments specific to each area will have their own designated frost depth for the local microclimate. That will determine what the minimum depth is for the setting bed for your patio. The deeper the frost line, the more expensive it will be to strengthen the sub grade. Factor in an additional $1 to $2 per square foot to cover those costs.

Additional costs

Materials

The cost is usually lower when building materials are sourced locally, because you can reduce shipping costs and reduce or eliminate interstate commerce fees.

Sealer

While you don’t have to seal concrete, you should probably seal it if you plan on eating a lot on your patio—to avoid stains, as they can be difficult to get out due to the porous nature of concrete.

Virgin or pure acrylic sealer won’t yellow in sunlight whereas epoxies will. An acrylic spray-on cure and seal will cost approx. $0.53/sq. ft. Two applications of a nonmetallic color and concrete hardener cost about $2.40/sq. ft.

Solvent-based sealers are of a higher quality and highlight the concrete’s colors better. Look for a penetrating sealer that provides a chemical barrier to oil and freeze-thaw conditions, is breathable, won’t yellow, isn’t slippery, enhances the color of the concrete if you want it to, and provides invisible protection. High-gloss sealers are no longer popular and can be slippery. They block in the moisture, which can cause fracturing, white hazing, or fogging.

Test the sealer on a small corner of your patio to make sure it will give the final look you want. Once you’ve settled on your final choice, make sure the sealer is applied in thin coats (with a roller or sprayer, based on instructions) so as to allow the concrete to expand and allow moisture to escape. The seal should last for 1–3 years.

Patio site access

If you live in a terraced house without a side gate, and the cement is being delivered in a large cement truck, the installation team could be restricted to bringing the concrete through the house in pails.

Alternatively, if there is only a side gate, and no way to get the concrete truck close enough to use a remote-controlled articulating robotic arm (also known as a boom), or a trailer-mounted concrete pump (also known as a line pump), then extra time and effort needs to be taken to transport the concrete by hand using wheelbarrows. Typically, an installation team would require a space wider than 8’ to position a cement truck to give direct access to the patio site.

Your contractor may deliver the raw materials to the backyard and use a cement mixer there. In assessing your property and the access it provides, you should be able to determine what options are available to the install team.

Average costs related to access:

• $25 per square foot for concrete piped in from a truck
• $22.50 per square foot for interlocking concrete pavers
• $14.50 per square foot for poured concrete

Permits

Before you begin, find out what permits, if any, are required by local governing authorities, and by your homeowner’s association, if your neighborhood is subject to one. Because you are changing the amount of permeable ground around your home, this will affect water runoff, which could cause problems for your next-door neighbors, or neighbors’ yards farther down the street. Not getting a required permit will result in possible fines, a citation, or retroactive permit fees, and possible difficulty insuring or selling your home. Even if a building permit isn’t required, there is still a potential that the patio installer might need an excavation permit.

Don’t forget to check and make sure there are no utility lines in the vicinity of the project site. A quick call to 811 will be your one stop to make sure everything can go as planned.

Repairs

Concrete can crack if the sub base is poorly prepared, the concrete is of poor quality or badly mixed, or the patio undergoes severe thaw-refreeze weather.

Sub base - additives and aggregate can be pumped beneath the slab to fill sinking spots and prop the concrete back up.

Cracks - The patio can be resurfaced with overlay. The surface is scraped and a new concrete layer applied. Costs $1–$3/sqft.

- Individual cracks can be filled for about $300.

- The patio can be stained and cut to make the cracks look like part of the design.

Before you hire your contractor

Narrow your choices down to three who have extensive experience pouring concrete patios and adding the decorative effects you’ve chosen.

Pick from contractors who check off some or all of the following.

• See their portfolios of previous work.
• Make sure they are bonded and insured.
• Make sure cleanup is included in their quotes.
• Have an exact starting date and finishing date.
• Ask about warranties on the concrete and labor.
• Check their Better Business Bureau rating.
• Check their HomeGuide rating, like RB Remodeling & Landscape Construction in Beaumont, CA, who earned a Best of 2018 Homeguide award—a licensed contractor holding four license classifications and trained in green construction and general construction.

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