Written by

Sarah Noel

October 6, 2023

Edited by

Tara Farmer

Fact-checked by

Tom Grupa

Limestone pavers cost

Limestone pavers cost $16 to $32 per square foot installed. A 10'x20' limestone paver patio costs $3,200 to $6,400 installed on average. Limestone paver prices are $7 to $15 per square foot for materials alone. The cost of large 24"x24" limestone pavers is $30 to $60 each.

Limestone installation cost factors

Limestone installation labor costs $9 to $17 per square foot. The labor fees vary based on the project design and the base needed for the local soil type.

Most contractors recommend dry-laid installation for limestone paver patios. The total price for patio construction typically includes:

• Installation labor – A general contractor charges $50 to $150 per hour. A landscaper costs $50 to $100 per hour and has more patio-work experience.

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

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

• Permit – A permit costs $200 to $300 for stone patios up to 400 square feet.

• Limestone type & size – Untreated limestone costs less than thicker pavers cut into specialty shapes with a unique finish.

• Stone base – Gravel prices are $10 to $50 per ton. Installers typically spread a 4" to 10" gravel layer that costs $2 to $5 per square foot under pavers. The gravel thickness varies according to the local ground conditions.

• Ground fill materials – Sand costs $15 to $50 per cubic yard delivered, or $50 to $150 per ton. Placing sand above the gravel for dry-laid stones promotes drainage.

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

• Custom stone cutting – Complex designs like installing a semicircle patio or curved borders cost more in labor since many stones need precise cuts onsite.

• Excavator work – Excavation costs $100 to $300 per hour for an operator with their backhoe to tear out old pavement, re-slope the yard, or level the patio base.

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

• Weed barrier – Landscape fabric material prices are $0.05 to $0.25 per square foot depending on the type. Installers use this barrier under the gravel bed to stop gravel from sinking down into the ground soil.

• Sealant – Applying a stone sealant costs $2 to $10 per square foot. Sealants protect stones from staining, cracking, and color fading.

Limestone prices

Limestone pavers cost $7 to $15 per square foot on average for the material alone, but prices can range from $4 to $80 per square foot depending on the paver size, type, and color. Common sizes range from surface dimensions of 6"x12" to 24"x36" and 1.25" to 2.00" in thickness.

Limestone types and colors

Limestone comes in hundreds of types, textures, and neutral colors. Dark-colored limestone pavers fade more over time.

The most common limestone options are:

• Beige

• Gray or blue-tinted gray

• Off-white or pure white

• Pale gold

• Cream

• Coral pink or light orange

• Black

Limestone patio additions and 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.

• Above-ground hot tub prices are $3,000 to $10,000.

• Hot tub installation costs $150 to $500.

• Installing an inground pool costs $25,000 to $100,000.

• Landscapers charge $25 to $85 to plant a shrub.

• A landscape designer costs $50 to $150 per hour to make patio plans.

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

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

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

• 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.

Limestone patio pavers pros and cons

The following table shows the advantages and disadvantages of limestone patio pavers:

Cost of limestone vs. other materials

While a limestone paver patio costs $16 to $32 per square foot with installation, a regular brick or concrete paver patio costs $10 to $17 per square foot installed. See the following table for other paver material prices and installation costs:

Limestone pavers FAQs

What is limestone?

Limestone is a natural and highly porous stone found near coastlines. This sedimentary rock contains calcite, calcium carbonate, and clay from the decomposition of shells. Limestone colors include brown, gray, and off-white shades with tints of green, red, or gold.

Do limestone pavers need to be sealed?

Limestone pavers need to be sealed after installation. Unsealed pavers easily absorb moisture, which leads to stains, color fading, and cracking from freeze-thaw cycles. Waxing is another way to protect limestone.

Clean and maintain limestone by:

• Sweeping off dirt regularly

• Washing off pavers with a hose & mild soaps monthly

• Treating stains with absorbent cleaning powders

• Pressure washing every 1 to 2 years

• Refilling polymeric sand between joints for uncemented pavers

• Resealing every 3 to 5 years

Where to buy limestone

You can buy limestone pavers from:

• Landscaping supply companies

• Stone and paver suppliers

• Masonry supply outlets

• Home improvement stores

• Quarry suppliers

• Paver and tile supply outlets online

Hiring a limestone paver contractor

Before hiring a paver installer near you, be sure to:

• Collect at least 3 estimates from several paving landscapers.

• Select licensed, insured, and bonded companies with 5+ years of experience.

• Ask if they have certifications as an ICPI Residential Paver Technician or from a masonry association.

• Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

• Ask for an estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before work begins.

• Beware of the lowest bids that often indicate low-quality results.

• Never give the last payment before the job is complete.

Questions to ask

• How many limestone patios have you installed?

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

• How can I reach the project manager, and how big is their crew?

• Will you pull all permits?

• Do you check for underground utility lines before digging?

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

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

• Which stones do you recommend, and do you need to apply a sealer to them?

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

• What are my options for edging?

• Are you familiar with my local building codes for patios?

• Does this bid include all materials, delivery fees, labor, prep work, and cleanup?

• How long will this job take?

• What does your warranty policy include?

• How much space will you need for equipment?

• What is your payment schedule?