Written by
Sarah Noel
Edited by
Tara Farmer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa
Cost to build a patio
The cost to build a 20'x20' patio is $2,000 to $14,000 on average. A new patio costs $5 to $35 per square foot installed, depending on the material. Patio prices are $2 to $18 per square foot for materials. Patio installation labor costs $3 to $17 per square foot.
| Patio size | Square feet | Average total cost to build |
|---|---|---|
| 7'x7' | 49 | $250 – $1,700 |
| 8'x10' | 80 | $400 – $2,800 |
| 10'x10' | 100 | $500 – $3,500 |
| 12'x12' | 144 | $720 – $5,000 |
| 12'x14' | 168 | $840 – $5,900 |
| 10'x20' | 200 | $1,000 – $7,000 |
| 15'x15' | 225 | $1,125 – $7,900 |
| 16'x16' | 256 | $1,300 – $9,000 |
| 15'x20' | 300 | $1,500 – $10,500 |
| 20'x20' | 400 | $2,000 – $14,000 |
| 24'x24' | 576 | $2,900 – $20,150 |
| 25'x30' | 750 | $3,750 – $26,250 |
| 30'x30' | 900 | $4,500 – $31,500 |
*Additional site preparation fees vary according to the local ground conditions.
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Patio installation cost by material
Patio installation costs $5 to $35 per square foot, depending on the material choice of concrete, natural stone, or brick pavers.
| Material | Cost per square foot installed* | Average cost installed* (20'x20') |
|---|---|---|
| Poured concrete patio | $5 – $15 | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Stamped concrete patio | $8 – $19 | $3,200 – $7,600 |
| Natural stone patio | $16 – $35 | $6,400 – $14,400 |
| Flagstone patio | $15 –$32 | $6,000 – $12,800 |
| Concrete or brick paver patio | $10 – $17 | $4,000 – $6,800 |
| Pea gravel patio | $0.85 – $2.80 | $350 – $1,100 |
*Total fees to install on an existing compacted, level, and well-draining ground surface.
Poured & stamped concrete
A concrete patio costs $5 to $15 per square foot installed with a basic design. Higher prices of $15 to $28 per square foot apply for installing a concrete patio with multiple colors, special borders, and a decorative finish.
Alternatively, a stamped concrete patio costs $8 to $19 per square foot on average or more for custom designs, several colors, and multiple stamped patterns.
Natural stone patio cost
A natural stone patio costs $16 to $35 per square foot installed on average. A flagstone patio costs $15 to $32 per square foot for dry-laid stones or up to $45 per square foot for concrete-set installation. Material prices vary based on the delivery distance from local quarries.
| Stone type | Installed cost per square foot* |
|---|---|
| Bluestone | $15 – $31 |
| Limestone | $16 – $32 |
| Sandstone | $18 – $30 |
| Granite | $19 – $32 |
| Cobblestone | $20 – $50 |
| Marble | $10 – $40 |
| Slate | $18 – $42 |
*Prices for installing on a level site with a well-draining base.
Brick or paver patio cost
A brick or concrete paver patio costs $10 to $17 per square foot installed. These manufactured pavers are the cheapest paver type. Many concrete pavers imitate the look of stone. Brick patios allow for unique design options and are highly durable.
Alternatively, building a patio with permeable pavers costs $8 to $30 per square foot. The cheapest types are plastic or concrete grids that let grass grow through them. Permeable stone pavers with gravel-filled joints are the most expensive.
Gravel patio cost
Building a patio with pea gravel costs $0.85 to $2.80 per square foot installed. Contractors recommend a 2" to 6" thick layer of gravel, and a thicker gravel layer is best for high traffic areas. Use taller edging all around to keep the pea gravel in place.
Patio building cost estimator by type
The following table shows the costs to build a patio by structural type:
| Type | Cost per square foot installed | Average total cost installed* |
|---|---|---|
| Ground-level patio | $5 – $35 | $2,000 – $14,000 |
| Raised patio | $8 – $43 | $3,200 – $17,200 |
| Covered patio | $25 – $95 | $10,000 – $38,000 |
| Patio extension | $5 – $35 | $2,000 – $14,000 |
*Prices for a 20'x20' size patio, excluding variable site preparation costs.
Raised patio cost
A raised patio costs $8 to $43 per square foot, which is $3 to $8 per square foot more than ground-level patios. Contractors install concrete blocks, poured concrete, or extra fill dirt and gravel below the patio surface to raise the height.
Some homeowners choose to raise the patio after adding a retaining wall first. A 2' to 6' tall retaining wall costs $20 to $50 per square foot or $40 to $300 per linear foot.
Build a covered patio or roof
Building a new patio with a cover or roof costs $25 to $95 per square foot total, depending on the patio type. This price doesn't include wooden patio roofs or any type of attached gable roofing.
Costs to add a roof for existing patios:
The cost to build a covered patio is $20 to $60 per square foot. These types are also solid roofs with exteriors of aluminum, vinyl, steel, or fiberglass.
Building a solid gable patio roof costs $70 to $155 per square foot. This type has a wooden frame and shingles that typically match the home.
A manual retractable awning costs $200 to $3,000 installed or $1,000 to $6,000 for motorized units. Many automatic awnings come with remote controls.
A prefabricated pergola costs $1,450 to $5,750 installed on average.
Installing a louvered pergola costs $6,500 to $18,000. This model has slats that open and close, unlike the fixed open-slat roof of a standard pergola.
Patio extension cost
A patio extension costs $5 to $35 per square foot. The new area still needs grading and a gravel base before pouring more concrete or adding pavers. A cheaper way to expand a patio area is by installing gravel or landscaping rocks next to it.
Landscaping rock prices are $50 to $160 per cubic yard.
Gravel prices are $15 to $75 per cubic yard.
Labor cost to install a patio per square foot
The labor cost alone to install a patio is $3 to $17 per square foot. Total installation costs depend on the patio type, materials, and many other design factors. Consult with a patio designer to get more accurate cost estimates.
| Patio type | Material cost per square foot | Labor cost per square foot | Total installed cost per square foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poured concrete | $2 – $6 | $3 – $9 | $5 – $15 |
| Stamped concrete | $5 –$10 | $3 – $9 | $8 – $19 |
| Natural stone | $7 – $18 | $9 – $17 | $16 – $35 |
| Brick or concrete pavers | $4 – $7 | $6 – $10 | $10 – $17 |
| Pea gravel patio (2" – 6" depth) | $0.50 – $1.50 | $0.35 – $1.30 | $0.85 – $2.80 |
Cost factors include:
Patio material type – The cheapest patio material is pea gravel while the most expensive types are natural stone pavers cut into polished designer shapes.
Drainage – Installing a drainage system costs $1,000 to $4,000. A permeable gravel patio drains well, but a solid concrete patio needs drains to prevent water damage.
Stone base – A compacted 4" to 10" gravel foundation costs $2 to $5 per square foot installed to support a paver patio. The base thickness depends on local ground conditions.
Ground fill for pavers – Sand costs $15 to $50 per cubic yard delivered, or $50 to $150 per ton. Installers spread sand above the gravel base for dry-laid stones because sand drains well and holds pavers level.
Permit – A permit costs $200 to $300 for most patios up to 400 square feet.
Edging – Landscape curbing costs $5 to $18 per linear foot to stabilize patio borders with concrete or blocks. Plastic liners are also available but don't last as long.
Installation method – Dry-laid paver patios have the cheapest labor costs, while concrete-set natural stones cost the most in labor and supplies.
Demolition – Removing a damaged paver patio costs $1 to $5 per square foot. Concrete removal costs $3 to $8 per square foot to tear out an old slab.
Site prep – The cost to level or regrade a yard is $0.04 to $2.00 per square foot.
Total job size – Prices per square foot are less for large patios and increase slightly for patios less than 200 square feet due to a company's minimum fees.
Custom shapes – Higher labor fees apply for a semicircle patio or curved borders since the precise cutting of paver stones onsite takes more time. Making curved molds for poured concrete is also labor-intensive.
Sealant – Most paver patios need a sealant that costs $2 to $10 per square foot. Masonry moisture-blocking sealants prevent staining, cracking, and discoloration.
Colors – The cost to stain concrete is $3 to $15 per square foot on average. Fees increase for each additional color and pattern added to the concrete. For stone patios, rarer colors also cost more.
Weed barrier – Landscape fabric materials cost $0.05 to $0.25 per square foot according to the type. This barrier keeps the gravel base under pavers from sinking down into the soil.
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Cost to put in patio upgrades
Common patio upgrades include:
Adding precast concrete steps cost $500 to $3,000.
A concrete sidewalk costs $7 to $17 per square foot.
An outdoor heater costs $150 to $500.
An outdoor fireplace costs $1,500 to $20,000.
Building a fire pit costs $325 to $2,000.
An outdoor kitchen costs $7,000 to $35,000.
Outdoor furniture costs $500 to $1,500 per set of patio chairs and tables.
Outdoor lighting costs $80 to $300 per fixture.
The average cost to install an outdoor outlet is $180 to $350.
Landscaping costs $300 to $800+ for small yard projects around the patio.
Hot tub prices are $3,000 to $10,000 for aboveground models.
Basic hot tub installation costs $150 to $500.
The cost to build a pool is $15,000 to $30,000.
An outdoor sauna costs $5,500 to $34,000.
The cost to build a raised garden bed is $1,200 to $4,000 for a 5'x12' custom-designed planter, including all plants and labor.
Fence installation costs $20 to $60 per linear foot total.
New patio FAQs
Does a patio add value to your home?
A patio or deck addition can add value with an ROI of 60% to 70%, thus increasing your home's resale price. Installing a new patio can also raise property taxes according to local codes and the demand for homes in your neighborhood.
In some cities, a paver patio isn't in the "permanent additions" category and doesn't raise property taxes. Ask your local building department for more details.
What is the cheapest type of patio to build?
A poured-concrete patio is the cheapest type to build with professional installation. However, a concrete paver patio is the cheapest DIY patio to build as it's less labor-intensive and does not require sealant.
How long does it take to build a patio?
Building a patio takes 2 to 4 days for an average 200-square-foot paved area without walls or roofing. However, site prep like excavation, grading, and installing a gravel base before building the patio typically increases the total time to 1 week or more.
A poured concrete patio takes another 7 to 10 days to cure after installation before you can walk on it.
How long does a patio last?
A patio lasts 25 to 50 years on average when made of concrete materials, and up to 100 years if made with high-quality brick pavers or natural stone. Most patios last longer if resealed every 2 to 3 years and installed on a well-draining base.
Do you need permits or HOA approval for patio?
You do need a permit for a new patio in most cities, but open patios in rural areas may not require a permit. HOA approval is also necessary for a patio installation if you live in a homeowners association neighborhood.
To get your building plans approved faster, check local setback requirements. Most places won't allow patios closer than 5' to the property line, and they should typically be 20' to 30' from a street.
Is it cheaper to build a deck or patio?
Building a concrete, paver, or gravel patio is cheaper than building a deck. The cost to build a deck is $25 to $50 per square foot.
Check out our guide about patio vs. deck costs for more information about materials, features, and other details to consider.
The only patio type more expensive than a deck is a natural stone patio.
How much does patio maintenance cost?
Patio maintenance costs depend on the size of the damages and the surface type. Common repairs include patching holes, filling cracks, lifting a sunken section, or replacing pavers.
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Common patio maintenance costs include:
Pressure washing costs $0.35 to $0.77 per square foot.
Concrete cleaning and sealing services cost $1to $3 per square foot.
Concrete resurfacing costs $3 to $7 per square foot.
Getting quotes and estimates from patio contractors
Before hiring a patio builder near you, be sure to:
Compare at least 3 patio quotes from different contractors.
Read the company's reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Hire contractors who have at least 5+ years of experience.
Look for licensed, bonded, and insured companies.
Check if they have masonry certifications if you're installing special designs.
Get copies of the contract, detailed estimate, and warranty up front.
Do not pay in full until after construction ends.
Beware of the lowest bids that often result in low-quality work.
Questions to ask
How long have you been installing patios?
Can I see your reference list and photos of past jobs?
What are my design options for this patio?
Will you use a sealant?
How will you prepare the foundation, and how deep will it be?
Will you check where utility lines are before digging or grading?
How long will it take to finish my patio?
Does this bid include all prep work, labor, materials, and cleanup?
What kind of warranties do you offer?
Can I get a discount if I combine patio installation with other projects?
Will you use subcontractors and supervise them?
How much space will you need for the crew and equipment?
What's the best way to contact the project manager?
If I need permits, will you pull them?
What's your payment timeline?
