How much does a stone patio cost?
How much does a stone patio cost?
$16 – $35 cost per square foot installed
$3,200 – $14,000 average total cost installed (200 – 400 SF)
Average stone patio cost
A stone paver patio costs $3,200 to $14,000 on average, depending on the type, size, and design. Stone patio paving costs $16 to $35 per square foot installed. Stone prices are $7 to $18 per square foot for materials. Stone paver installation labor costs $9 to $17 per square foot.
| Patio size | Square feet | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5'x8' | 40 | $650 – $1,400 |
| 6'x9' | 54 | $850 – $1,900 |
| 10'x8' | 80 | $1,300 – $2,800 |
| 10'x10' | 100 | $1,600 – $3,500 |
| 10'x12' | 120 | $1,900 – $4,200 |
| 10'x15' | 150 | $2,400 – $5,250 |
| 10'x20' | 200 | $3,200 – $7,000 |
| 12'x12' | 144 | $2,300 – $5,000 |
| 12'x15' | 180 | $2,900 – $6,300 |
| 12'x20' | 240 | $3,800 – $8,400 |
| 15'x15' | 225 | $3,600 – $7,900 |
| 15'x20' | 300 | $4,800 – $10,500 |
| 15'x30' | 450 | $7,200 – $15,750 |
| 20'x20' | 400 | $6,400 – $14,000 |
| 20'x25' | 500 | $8,000 – $17,500 |
| 30'x30' | 900 | $14,400 – $31,500 |
Stone patio cost by type
A stone patio costs $16 to $35 per square foot installed on average. Most stone pavers for patios are 1' to 2' squares at least 1.5" to 2.0" thick. Granite and slate are the most durable for patios. Cobblestone patios last the longest but typically don't have a smooth surface.
In comparison, a flagstone patio costs $15 to $32 per square foot installed since it's one of the most readily available stones.
| Stone type | Material cost per square foot | Installed cost per square foot | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluestone | $6 – $14 | $15 – $31 |
|
| Limestone | $7 – $15 | $16 – $32 |
|
| Sandstone | $9 – $13 | $18 – $30 |
|
| Granite | $10 – $15 | $19 – $32 |
|
| Cobblestone | $10 – $25 | $20 – $50 |
|
| Marble | $5 – $20 | $10 – $40 |
|
| Slate | $9 – $25 | $18 – $42 |
|
| Gravel | $0.50 – $1.50 | $1 – $3 |
|
*Extra grading and excavation fees typically apply according to the site conditions.
Bluestone patio cost
Bluestone pavers cost $15 to $31 per square foot installed. Thermal or flamed bluestone has an even surface with a slip-resistant texture, while natural cleft bluestone has a rougher surface. Full-range bluestone sets have 5 to 9+ natural color variations.
Limestone pavers cost
Limestone pavers costs $16 to $32 per square foot installed. This stone is easy to cut into any shape for versatile installation options. Limestone patios are durable and age well, but they do need re-sealing every 1 to 2 years to prevent weathering from acid rain.
Sandstone pavers cost
Sandstone pavers cost $18 to $30 per square foot installed. Sandstone is slip-resistant and budget-friendly compared to other stone pavers. Plus, sandstone comes in large sizes to cover more area per paver. However, a sealant is essential to prevent staining and cracks in the highly absorbent stone.
Granite patio cost
Granite pavers cost $19 to $32 per square foot installed. Most granite paver stones come in square or rectangular blocks. Saw-cut granite pavers have a perfectly even surface while split-face blocks have a naturally uneven finish.
Cobblestone patio cost
Cobblestone pavers cost $20 to $50 per square foot installed. While most cobblestones are granite, cheaper types are concrete molded into cobblestone shapes. Higher prices apply for bluestones cut into cobble-shaped pavers.
Marble patio cost
Marble flooring costs $10 to $40 per square foot installed. Marble tile paver patios are popular around pools as the naturally textured surface is ideal to prevent people from slipping. Marble is naturally cooler and retains less heat than other stones, which makes it ideal for outdoor paving.
Slate patio cost
Slate flooring costs $18 to $42 per square foot installed. This fee includes a 6" gravel base and a 1" layer of sand underneath for drainage, with installation by dry laying. The most common slate pavers are 1" thick with widths of 12" to 36" in various shapes.
Gravel patio cost
Pea gravel costs $0.85 to $2.80 per square foot installed on average. A 20'x20' patio should have pea gravel 6" deep, which costs $500 to $1,250. This price doesn't include extra fees for site prep like grading and ground compaction.
Extra costs for areas connected to a gravel patio include:
A gravel driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot installed at the recommended 12" depth. Large stones form the 6" to 8" base, and the top 4" layer is standard 0.75" gravel. Driving a compactor roller over it is important to help stabilize the rocks.
Crushed stone costs $1 to $5 per square foot for general landscaping, excluding installation labor. Common crushed stones that are readily available include granite, marble, blue stone, and river rock.
Stone patio cost estimator
A natural stone patio costs $9 to 17 per square foot for installation labor. In comparison, a basic concrete or brick paver patio costs $6 to $11 per square foot for labor alone. Installing real stone costs more due to the extra time for cutting naturally irregular shapes.
| Factor | Cost per square foot installed | Average total cost (200 – 400 SF patio) |
|---|---|---|
| Stone materials | $7 – $18 | $1,400 – $7,200 |
| Installation labor & supplies | $9 – $17 | $1,800 – $6,800 |
| Total cost installed | $16 – $35 | $3,200 – $14,000 |
*These costs are for a dry-laid stone paver installation only, excluding variable site prep.
Cost factors include:
Stone base – Gravel prices are $10 to $50 per ton. A compacted 4" to 10" gravel foundation costs $2 to $5 per square foot and supports stone pavers. The base thickness depends on local ground conditions.
Stone type & size – Fees for natural stone pavers are cheaper than heat-treated pavers cut into designer shapes with polished or etched finishes. Larger and thicker stone pieces cost more but outlast smaller and thinner ones.
Dry-laid ground fill – Sand costs $15 to $50 per cubic yard delivered, or $50 to $150 per ton. Installers spread sand above the gravel for dry-laid stones because sand drains well and holds the stones level.
Permit – A permit costs $200 to $300 for an average patio up to 400 square feet.
Edging – Landscape curbing costs $5 to $18 per linear foot to reinforce patio edges with concrete or blocks.
Installation method – Dry-laid stone patios have the cheapest labor rates, while concrete-set stones cost more in labor and supplies to install.
Demolition – Removing an old paver patio costs $1 to $5 per square foot. Concrete removal costs $3 to $8 per square foot to dispose of an old slab.
Total job size – Prices per square foot are less for big jobs and increase slightly for small patios according to the minimum fees of the company.
Custom stone cutting – Higher labor fees apply for a semicircle patio or curved borders since the precise cutting of many stones onsite takes more time.
Sealant – Applying a masonry moisture-blocking sealant costs $2 to $10 per square foot. Sealants come in many types and prevent staining, cracking, and fading.
Weed barrier – Landscape fabric materials cost $0.05 to $0.25 per square foot depending on the type. This barrier stops some growth between dry-laid pavers and keeps the gravel base from sinking down into the soil.
Stone paver installation labor cost
Labor costs to install a stone patio are 60% to 70% of the total fee.
Rates vary depending on the type of contractor hired:
Landscaping costs $50 to $100 per hour, and most landscapers have lots of experience in laying stone pavers.
Handyman rates are $50 to $80 per hour for simple patio installations.
Yard regrading or leveling costs $0.04 to $2.00 per square foot.
A plumber costs $45 to $150 per hour to add a water line for an outdoor kitchen.
An electrician costs $50 to $130 per hour to add wiring for a ceiling fan or outlet.
A landscape designer costs $50 to $150 per hour to create plans for a new patio and complementary backyard gardens.
Excavation costs $100 to $300 per hour for an operator with their backhoe to remove old paving, re-slope the yard to fix drainage, or level the patio base.
Hire a masonry contractor for specialty stonework.
Additional outdoor patio features and costs
Common features and upgrades include:
Outdoor lighting installation costs $80 to $300 per fixture.
Adding 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 before installation. A hot tub can have any pavers for a base as long as a compacted and level gravel base of 4" to 10" is underneath.
Hot tub installation costs $150 to $500 in labor, excluding electrical work.
Inground pool installation costs $25,000 to $100,000.
Landscapers charge $25 to $85 per shrub for planting projects.
A drainage system costs $1,000 to $4,000.
A regular stone wall costs $15 to $75 per square foot of wall surface.
A stone retaining wall costs $10 to $85 per square foot of wall surface.
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.
A pergola costs $10 to $65 per square foot installed.
Natural stone patio cost vs. other patio types
A regular brick or concrete paver patio costs $10 to $17 per square foot installed, which costs 38% to 50% less than natural stone. Other common backyard patio types include:
A concrete patio costs $5 to $15 per square foot including installation.
Pouring a basic concrete slab costs $5 to $10 per square foot for labor and materials.
Stamped concrete costs $8 to $19 per square foot installed.
Permeable pavers cost $8 to $30 per square including installation.
Stone patio FAQs
Does a stone patio add value to a home?
A well-designed stone patio increases the home’s property value by 8% to 12%. The ROI value upon resale with a new stone patio is 40% to 100% according to local demand. However, a patio won't increase the home’s square footage unless insulated, heated, and fully enclosed.
How long does a natural stone patio last?
A natural stone patio lasts 10 to 50+ years depending on the stone type and the conditions of the local environment. Porous stone pavers like sandstone and bluestone are prone to cracking if left unsealed. Reseal most stones every 1 to 2 years.
Granite is the most weather-resistant and lasts the longest.
Do I need to edge my patio?
You need to edge your stone patio to stop the pavers from spreading apart in changing weather conditions, which also allows weeds to grow in the joints. Edging options include plastic borders secured with spikes or longer-lasting concrete borders.
How many patio stones do I need?
The amount of patio stones you need depends on the patio size, paver size, and design. Divide the total square footage of the patio by the number of square feet per paver stone to calculate the number of stones needed.
For example:
A 100-square-foot patio only needs 60 to 70 pavers if each one is 16" square.
A 400-square-foot patio with a complex stone-laying pattern requires 2,500 to 2,800 stone pavers if they're each 7"x3.5" in size.
Can you lay stone over a concrete patio?
You can lay stone over a concrete patio if it's reinforced concrete with the proper drainage slope. Installers apply wet mortar to the existing slab, set the pavers, and fill the joints with mortar or grout.
Installation on a slab without rebar: If the existing concrete isn't reinforced, then the extra heavy weight of the stones can crack the slab underneath and create cracks in the new stone patio surface.
Installation on grass: Landscapers don't advise putting patio stones on grass because the stones sink over time and attract mold and pests. Stone is sometimes installed directly on well-draining topsoil with a groundcover planted in the joints. Most stones are set in a compacted sand and gravel base 3" to 4" deep.
Can you power wash a stone patio?
Yes, you can power wash a stone patio. Pressure washing costs $0.35 to $0.77 per square foot. However, to avoid damages for highly porous stones, use pressures lower than 1,000 PSI. Spray the stones from distances longer than 1' to protect the stone surface.
Can you build a stone patio DIY?
You can build a DIY stone patio with the right tools. A DIY paver patio costs $1,000 to $2,000 with natural stone pavers forming a patio from 100 to 200 square feet. The higher fees apply for buying new power tools instead of renting them for this project.
Tools & supplies you’ll need to build a stone patio:
Saw with a diamond-cutter blade
Power plate compactor or hand tamper
Edging tools
Borders
Levels
Sand or gravel under the paving stones
Concrete & mortar mixes (optional)
Getting estimates from stone patio installers
Before hiring a stone patio contractor near you, remember to:
Collect at least 3 estimates from several hardscaping installers.
Select a licensed, insured, and bonded company 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 a written estimate, contract, and warranty before installation starts.
Beware of the lowest bids as they may indicate low-quality work.
Never give the last payment before the job is complete.
Questions to ask
How many stone patios have you installed?
Can I see a portfolio of your work and references?
Who's the project manager, and how many subcontractors will you have?
How do you handle accidental damages on the job?
Which permits will I need?
Do you check for underground utility lines before digging?
How deep of a gravel base do I need 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 lay concrete between the joints or to dry-lay the stones in sand?
What do you offer for edging options?
Are you familiar with building codes for patios in this area?
Does this bid include all materials, delivery fees, labor, prep work, and cleanup?
How long will this stone patio installation take?
What's in your warranty policy?
How should I prepare for the crew and equipment?
What is your payment plan?