How Much Does A Concrete Patio Cost? [Square Foot Pricing]

Nick Durante
by Nick Durante

A concrete patio can complement your home and serve as a relaxing leisure space. Many builder-owners looking to add value and character to their home’s exterior opt to put in a concrete patio. We all know that concrete patios are nice extensions of a home, but how much does one cost?

The average cost of concrete patio installation is $2,750. It costs $12 per square foot, on average, to install a concrete patio based on the style. You can expect to pay $650 on materials, $1,500 on excavation, and another $7 per square foot on labor.

The cost for concrete patios can fluctuate if you get into custom designs with multiple colors. Basic concrete runs for as little as $4-$5 per square foot. Highly customized designs can cost $10-$15 per square foot.

Follow along as we get into the costs of a concrete patio.

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How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost?

Depending on the complexity of the design, a concrete patio could cost $1,500-$4,000. However, premium, heavily customized concrete patios can cost well over $5,000.

As with any home addition, you can save money on concrete patios by choosing simple designs. A basic concrete patio has no borders, designs, or custom color layouts.

Design ComplexityCost Per Square Foot16’ x 18’ Patio Cost
Basic$4-$5$1,152-$1,440
Stamped$6-$10$1,728-$2,880
Simple 1 color/1 design$8-$10$2,304-$2,880
Customized$10-$20$2,880-$5,760
Premium$15-$20+$4,320-$5,760

A simple, single color or single design concrete patio is a great mid-range option. If you want to keep your patio cost to under $5,000, choose basic, simple, or the simplest custom option.

Concrete Patio Cost Factors

There are many factors that determine the cost of your concrete patio. If you know what factors are important and affect the total cost the most, you can save money.

Layout

What kind of space do you have for a concrete patio? Pouring concrete in a simple square or rectangle requires less effort than a custom layout. Costs of labor are lower for simple layout concrete patios, and so are the excavation costs.

Concrete Patio Materials

Materials cost less than the labor, excavation, and customization of a concrete patio. You could spend $500-$800 in materials for a 16’ x 18’ concrete patio. Material costs also cover the equipment used by the contractor that you hire.

Patio Excavation Cost

Excavation costs vary from contractor to contractor. Some contractors charge you by the hour for excavations, and others charge by square foot or cubic yard.

In most cases, contractors charge you between $50 and $200 per cubic yard that is excavated. Some contractors instead charge you by the hour, and it can cost $50-$200 per hour.

Expect to spend $1,000-$2,000 in excavation and grading for a concrete patio.

Concrete Patio Slab

The concrete slab itself is a necessary structural base of the concrete patio. It is common for contractors to charge you by the hour for concrete slab installation. Pouring a concrete slab costs $40 an hour on average.

Your contractor may simply charge you based on the size of the slab. It costs $3-$8 per square foot to pour a concrete slab. Standard 16’ x 18’ patio concrete slabs could cost $860-$2,300.

Concrete Patio Labor Costs

Labor costs are largely determined by the size of your concrete patio. Most contractors bill you for labor per square foot. It is common for contractors to charge $4-$10 per square foot for labor.

A 16’ x 18’ concrete patio could cost $1,152-$2,880 in labor. The higher-end labor costs apply to customized, complex designs and finishes.

Cost FactorsCost Per Square Foot16’ x 18’ Cost
Materials$2-$5$500-$800
Excavation and Grading$50-$200 (cubic yard)$1,000-$2,000
Concrete Slab$3-$8$860-$2,300
Labor$4-$10$1,152-$2,880

Types of Concrete Patios

You have several options for concrete patios. As previously mentioned, the complexity of borders, colors, and design affects the total cost. Another factor that affects the cost of concrete patio installation, is the type of patio.

Specifically, whether or not it is a stained or stamped concrete patio affects the total cost. Both stained and stamped concrete are closer to the custom and premium price range.

Stamped Concrete Patio

Stamped concrete can catch anyone’s eye, and that is why many builder-owners choose it. It can get pricey, and costs $8-$24 per square foot. Some premium stamped concrete options, such as Riverstone, cost up to $30 per square foot.

One of the main appeals of stamped concrete is that it gives a natural stone look. The cost per square foot of stamped concrete varies based on the variety. There is also an additional $10-$20 added to stamped concrete cost for sealant upon completion.

Stamped Concrete Patio DesignCost Per Square Foot
Ashler$8-$30
Sandstone$12-$20
Riverstone$10-$30
Cobblestone$8-$12
Limestone$10-$20

Stained Concrete Patio

Another premium choice for concrete patios is stained concrete. Stained concrete opens the door to even more customization. You can expect to spend up to $20 per square foot for stained concrete, but simple designs can cost as little as $8.

The wide range in cost is based on the level of customization. Some homeowners choose multiple stains or unique patterns. Because they are done by hand, elaborate stains cost closer to $15-$20 per square foot.

What Does It Cost To Replace a Concrete Patio?

Replacing an existing concrete patio adds another $600-$1,500 or more in costs. If your concrete patio itself is going to cost $1,500, replacing and installing the new patio will cost $2,100-$3,000.

The cost of replacing a concrete patio includes excavations and labor. Typically, it only takes 1-2 days to remove a concrete patio.

Excavation and the hourly rate of the workers determines removal cost. It costs as little as $500-$600, or as much as $1,200-$1,500 to remove concrete. Once it’s removed, contractors often wait a couple of days before installing the new one.

Concrete Patio Size

The size of a concrete patio ultimately decides the total cost more than anything. A common concrete size is 16’ x 18’, or 288 square feet, but there are many options.

SizeMaterials CostConcrete Slab CostLabor CostTotal Cost
10’ x 10’$100-$500$300-$800$400-$1,000$800-$2,300
10’ x 12’$100-$600$360-$960$480-$1,440$940-$3,000
14’ x 14’$196-$980$588-$1,568$784-$1,960$1,568-$4,508
16’ x 18’$288-$1,440$860-$2,300$1,152-$2,880$2,300-$6,620

Heavy customization can add anywhere from $200 to $3,000 to total concrete patio costs. Keep in mind that if you require complex excavation or layout, it can also add up to $2,000 to the final bill.


Related Questions

How long does it take to install a concrete patio?

Construction time itself only takes between 2 and 3 weeks. However, you can add another 2 weeks to a month to that if you need to get a permit. Permit requirements vary based on where you live, as well as neighborhood restrictions.


How long do you have to wait to use a new concrete patio?

You should wait a full week before using a new concrete patio. If you place furniture, grills, or outdoor décor on it before then, the concrete will not be strong enough and may get damaged. Generally, concrete cures by the 7-10 day mark, but a full cure can take a month.


Does stained concrete fade?

If concrete is stained the right way, it will not fade for 100 years. The best way to make your stained concrete last is to apply a new layer of sealant every 2-4 years. You can apply sealant sooner if your concrete takes on a lot of rain, snow, and temperature fluctuations.


Does a concrete patio cost left than stone pavers?

Yes, concrete patios cost less than stone paver patios. Stone pavers can cost as much as $15 per square foot. A stone paver patio 16’ x 18’ patio could cost $4,300 or more.

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Summing It Up

In most cases, a concrete patio costs $1,500-$4,000. However, concrete patios can cost much more if you choose complex designs. Premium and complex concrete with borders and finishes can cost as much as $20 per square foot.

Otherwise, if you keep your concrete patio simple, you can spend $4-$10 per square foot on materials and labor. Concrete is durable, affordable, and only takes 2 weeks to install. Once your new patio is done, let a week pass before you put it to use.

Get quotes from multiple contractors and consider what kind of design you want for your concrete patio.

Nick Durante
Nick Durante

Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.

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