What Does a Patio Cost?
A patio costs $2,400 to $7,000 on average, ranging from $6 to $30 per square foot depending on the material. A standard 400-square-foot patio (20×20 feet) is the most common residential size.
Concrete Patio: $6 to $15 Per Sq Ft
Plain concrete: $6 to $10 per square foot. A 400-square-foot plain concrete patio: $2,400 to $4,000. Decorative concrete (stamped, stained, or exposed aggregate): $10 to $15 per square foot. A 400-square-foot stamped concrete patio: $4,000 to $6,000. Concrete is the lowest-cost poured option and offers design flexibility through stamping and coloring. Maintenance: reseal every 2 to 3 years. Service life: 20 to 30 years with proper maintenance.
Paver Patio: $10 to $25 Per Sq Ft
Concrete pavers: $10 to $15 per square foot installed. Brick pavers: $12 to $20 per square foot. Natural stone pavers: $18 to $25 per square foot. A 400-square-foot paver patio: $4,000 to $10,000. Pavers are more expensive than concrete but are individually replaceable (a cracked or stained paver can be swapped without disturbing the rest of the surface). The flexible paver system handles frost heave and ground movement better than a rigid concrete slab. Service life: 30 to 50 years with minimal maintenance.
Natural Stone Patio: $15 to $30 Per Sq Ft
Bluestone, flagstone, travertine, and slate: $15 to $30 per square foot installed depending on the stone type, thickness, and the complexity of the cutting required. A 400-square-foot natural stone patio: $6,000 to $12,000. Natural stone provides the highest-end aesthetic but requires the most skill to install correctly (irregular shapes must be cut and fitted) and some types (sandstone, limestone) require periodic sealing to prevent staining and weathering. Travertine: $15 to $25 per square foot, popular for pool decks. Bluestone: $18 to $28 per square foot, popular for formal outdoor dining areas. (For more on this, see How Much Does a Patio Cost to Install?.)
Additional Cost Factors
Base preparation (excavation and compacted gravel base): $2 to $4 per square foot, required for all patio types. Drainage (slope away from the home or a channel drain): included in a well-executed installation. Steps or stair access: $150 to $500 per step section. Retaining wall if the patio is on a sloped site: $40 to $150 per linear foot additional. (For more on this, see Best Patio Material: How to Choose for Your Home.)
Patio Cost at a Glance
| Cost Factor | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | $6 to $15 per sq ft | ($2,400 to $6,000 for 400 sq ft) |
| Paver patio | $10 to $25 per sq ft | ($4,000 to $10,000 for 400 sq ft) |
| Natural stone patio | $15 to $30 per sq ft | ($6,000 to $12,000 for 400 sq ft) |
| Overall range | $2,400 to $7,000 on average | Base preparation adds $2 to $4 per sq ft to all material types. Steps add $150 to $500 per step section. |
Planning Your Project Budget
The cost ranges in this article are based on industry data and are intended as planning benchmarks, not fixed prices. The actual cost for your project depends on your specific home, your local labor market, the current price of materials, and the scope the contractor confirms after a site inspection.
Always get at least two written quotes on equivalent defined scope before committing to any home services project. Wide price variation between quotes usually reflects differences in material quality, scope completeness (what is included and what is not), or contractor overhead and experience level rather than simple price competition.
Use the cost data in this article to ask better questions during the quoting process: What material is included? What does that per-square-foot or per-linear-foot rate include and exclude? Are permits, cleanup, and disposal included? What is the warranty on labor? These questions turn a quote into a comparable basis for decision-making.
Working With a Contractor on This Project
Getting the right outcome on any home services project starts before the work begins. A few consistent practices make the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.
Get at least two or three quotes. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two or three quotes reveal the market rate for the work, expose scope differences between bidders, and let you assess contractor communication quality before any commitment is made. The lowest bid is not automatically the best value if the scope is thin or the materials are underspecified.
Ask for licenses and insurance before work starts. Verify current general liability insurance and, for any work involving workers on your property, workers compensation coverage. Licensing requirements vary by state and trade; confirm the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. A licensed contractor who carries appropriate insurance protects both parties if something goes wrong during the project. (For more on this, see Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Patio Contractor.)
Get the scope in writing. A written proposal that specifies materials, labor scope, timeline, what is included (permits, cleanup, disposal), and warranty terms is the foundation of a professional engagement. Verbal agreements on any of these points invite misunderstanding. For any project over $500, written scope is non-negotiable.
Clarify the payment schedule upfront. A reasonable payment schedule ties major payments to project milestones: a deposit at signing, a payment at material delivery or project start, and a final payment at completion after a walkthrough confirms satisfaction. A contractor who requires full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag in any trade.