Written by

Sarah Noel

October 6, 2023

Edited by

Tara Farmer

Fact-checked by

Tom Grupa

Flagstone patio cost by size

A flagstone patio costs $3,000 to $12,800 on average or $15 to $32 per square foot for dry-laid installations. Flagstone costs $15 to $45 per square foot, depending on the installation method with polymeric sand, mortar, or concrete.

• Flagstone material prices are $6 to $15 per square foot.

• Flagstone costs $500 to $1,500 per pallet for bulk orders.

Flagstone patio cost by installation method

A dry-laid flagstone patio costs $15 to $32 per square foot installed on average or up to $42 to $45 per square foot with mortar or concrete.

Dry-laid installation

Dry-laid installation costs $15 to $32 per square foot total. This method involves laying flagstones over a sand and gravel base. Next, installers level the pavers and pour polymeric joint sand between the stones to secure them in place. This method is the cheapest and fastest.

Mortar-set installation

Mortar-set installation costs $20 to $42 per square foot for materials and labor. Installers mortar the flagstones onto an existing concrete pavement or a compacted gravel and sand base. Then grout goes between the stones to secure them in a fixed position.

Concrete-set installation

Concrete-set installation costs $23 to $45 per square foot for materials and labor. Contractors lay the flagstone on a 4" thick concrete slab or compacted gravel bed. Then installers apply grout between the stones. This wet-laid method is the most labor-intensive but bonds the strongest.

Flagstone patio cost calculator

A flagstone or natural stone patio costs $9 to $17 per square foot for installation labor alone with dry-laid pavers. Fees increase according to how much ground preparation is necessary for adequate patio drainage.

Cost factors include:

• Flagstone type & size – Fees for natural and untreated flagstone are cheaper than pavers cut into designer shapes with a special finish.

• Stone base – Gravel prices are $10 to $50 per ton. A compacted 4" to 10" gravel base costs $2 to $5 per square foot installed. This base is necessary under most flagstones, according to local ground conditions.

• Ground fill materials – Sand costs $15 to $50 per cubic yard delivered, or $50 to $150 per ton. Most contractors use sand above the gravel for dry-laid stones because sand holds them level and allows for drainage.

• Edging – Landscape curbing costs $5 to $18 per linear foot.

• Permit – A permit costs $200 to $300 for patios of 200 to 400 square feet on average.

• Installation method – Dry-laid stone patios have the cheapest labor rates, while concrete-set stones cost the most to install.

• Demolition – Removing an old stone patio costs $1 to $5 per square foot. Concrete removal costs $3 to $8 per square foot to tear out an old slab.

• Sealant – Applying a masonry moisture-blocking sealant costs $2 to $10 per square foot. Sealants come in many types and prevent staining, cracking, and color fading.

• Total job size – Prices per square foot decrease for larger jobs and increase slightly for smaller jobs according to the minimum fees of the company.

• Custom stone cutting – Higher labor fees apply for installing a semicircle patio or curved borders since many stones need precise cutting to make that design.

• Weed barrier – Landscape fabric prices are $0.05 to $0.25 per square foot for materials only, depending on the type. This weed blocker also stops the gravel base under the patio from settling down in the soil over time.

Flagstone types and prices

Flagstone material prices are $6 to $15 per square foot on average, depending on the type. Most flagstone costs $250 to $750 per ton.

In comparison, total installed costs are:

• Bluestone pavers cost $15 to $31 per square foot.

• Granite pavers cost $19 to $32 per square foot.

• Limestone pavers cost $16 to $32 per square foot.

• Sandstone pavers cost $18 to $30 per square foot.

• A slate patio costs $18 to $42 per square foot.

Labor cost to install a flagstone patio or walkway

Labor costs to install a flagstone patio or walkway are 60% to 70% of the total construction fee.

Rates vary according to the expertise of the professional:

• Landscaping costs $50 to $100 per hour for all general hardscaping and grounds work.

• Handyman rates are $50 to $80 per hour.

• The cost to regrade or level a yard is $0.04 to $2.00 per square foot.

• A plumber costs $45 to $150 hourly to extend water lines for an outdoor kitchen.

• An electrician costs $50 to $130 hourly for new wiring to the entertainment area.

• A landscape designer costs $50 to $150 per hour for making detailed building plans for a new patio and backyard surrounds.

• Excavation costs $100 to $300 hourly for an operator with their backhoe to remove old paving, redo slopes for yard drainage, or level the patio base.

Additional flagstone patio upgrades

Common features and upgrades include:

• Outdoor lighting installation costs $80 to $300 per fixture.

• Installing an outdoor firepit costs $325 to $2,000.

• An outdoor kitchen costs $7,000 to $35,000.

• A pergola costs $10 to $65 per square foot installed for partial shade.

• Aboveground hot tub prices are $3,000 to $10,000 before installation. A hot tub won't crack a flagstone patio as long as a compacted and level gravel base of 4" to 10" is under the stones.

• Hot tub installation costs $150 to $500 minimum for labor.

• The average cost to install an inground pool is $25,000 to $100,000.

• Landscapers charge $25 to $85 per shrub in planting fees.

• A drainage system costs $1,000 to $4,000.

• A regular stone wall costs $15 to $75 per square foot of wall face.

• A stone retaining wall costs $10 to $85 per square foot of wall face.

• A stone walkway costs $16 to $35 per square foot.

• Stone steps cost $300 to $900 per step.

• A patio enclosure costs $8,000 to $30,000.

Flagstone cost vs. other patio types

A regular concrete-paver or brick-paver patio costs $10 to $17 per square foot, which is 45% to 50% cheaper than natural flagstone pavers. Other common patio types include:

Flagstone patio FAQs

What is flagstone?

Flagstone is a term for natural stones 12" to 36" wide and typically 0.5" to 2.0" thick. Most flagstones are sedimentary rock that absorb more water than other stones and have a non-slip surface. However, some suppliers consider any stone cut in a flagstone shape as "flagstone."

Flagstone typically includes:

• Slate

• Sandstone

• Shale

• Feldspar

• Quartzite

• Bluestone

• Limestone

Is flagstone expensive?

Flagstone materials alone are $2 to $9 per square foot more expensive than factory-made concrete pavers because of the fees to ship flagstone from quarries. Flagstone installation labor costs 50% to 55% more than installing concrete pavers, especially for installing naturally irregular paver shapes.

How much does a pallet of flagstone cost?

A pallet of flagstone costs $500 to $1,500 on average, depending on the type. Flagstone pallet prices vary by the size and thickness of each paver. One pallet typically covers 200 to 500 square feet.

How much does it cost to maintain a flagstone patio?

The costs to maintain a flagstone patio vary according to how much cleaning, resealing, and minor repairs you'll need. At least once monthly, clean flagstone by sweeping, mopping with a mild soap and water mixture, and hosing it off.

Maintenance costs include:

• Pressure washing costs $0.35 to $0.77 per square foot. Power-wash every 1 to 2 years on low-pressure settings with a wide-tipped fan nozzle.

• Sealing pavers costs $0.80 to $2.50 per square foot, including cleaning, adding polymeric sand to joints, and applying sealer. Sealants prevent stains and moisture damage.

• Repairing a flagstone patio costs $100 to $350 for minor repairs like applying more mortar and replacing a damaged stone paver.

Will a flagstone patio increase my home value?

A properly installed flagstone patio raises the property value by 8% to 12%. The ROI value upon resale with a new flagstone patio is 40% to 100%, depending on the neighborhood. However, a patio doesn't increase the home’s square footage unless insulated, heated, and fully enclosed.

How long does a flagstone patio last?

A flagstone patio lasts 10 to 50 years depending on the installation quality and location. Since flagstone is highly porous, ask for a strong sealant topcoat and reseal every 1 to 5 years.

Can you put flagstone over a concrete patio?

You can put flagstone over a concrete patio if it's reinforced concrete with the correct slope for drainage. Apply wet mortar to the existing slab before setting flagstones in place, and then fill joints with sand, mortar, or grout.

How much does flagstone weigh?

Flagstone weighs 3,000 to 4,500 lbs. or 1.5 to 2.25+ tons per pallet depending on the stone type and paver size.

Where to buy flagstone?

You can buy flagstone pavers from:

• Home improvement stores

• Paver and tile manufacturers online

• Masonry supply outlets

• Quarry suppliers

• Landscaping supply companies

Getting estimates from flagstone installers

Before hiring a patio contractor near you, be sure to:

• Compare at least 3 bids from several contractors.

• Pick a licensed, insured, and bonded company with 5+ years of experience.

• Ask if they have ICPI Residential Paver Technician certifications or are part of a masonry association.

• Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

• Ask for copies of the estimate, contract, and warranty before work starts.

• Beware of the lowest prices that typically indicate low-quality workmanship.

• Wait until the job is complete to give the last payment.

Questions to ask

• How many flagstone patios have you installed in this neighborhood?

• Can I see a portfolio of your past installations and references?

• What will you do to prevent weeds from growing between the stones?

• How do I contact the project manager, and how many subcontractors will come?

• Will you pull all permits?

• Can you check for underground utility lines before digging?

• What will you use for the base under the stone pavers?

• How will you compact and level the base before installing paver stones?

• If the stones need a sealer, which sealer will you apply?

• Is it better to set the stones in concrete or to dry-lay the stones in sand?

• What are my options for edging?

• Will this design meet all building codes for patios in this area?

• Does this quote include materials, delivery, labor, prep work, and cleanup?

• How long will this job take?

• What does your warranty policy include?

• How much space will you need for the crew and equipment?

• What is your payment schedule?