Concrete Patio Cost Calculator
Concrete patio installation costs $6–12 per square foot for a standard broom finish. A 12×16 ft patio typically runs $1,150–$2,300; add $2–4 per sq ft for stamped or colored concrete. Enter your dimensions for a full material and labor estimate.
Pro Tips
- →Basic patio installation costs $6-12 per square foot
- →Stamped concrete adds $2-4 per square foot
- →Colored or stained concrete adds $1-3 per square foot
- →Irregular shapes cost more than rectangular
- →Site preparation is essential for avoiding settling
Estimated concrete cost (materials + delivery) · For projects over 1 cubic yard, ready-mix is typically more economical and easier to work with.
118 bags × 80lb
2.61 cubic yards + delivery
192 sq ft × $3.00–$8.00/sq ft
Based on 2026 U.S. national pricing. Prices vary by location and time — contact local suppliers for accurate quotes.
That's typically a professional pour. See volume ↓
4 short emails from Dave: what a fair quote should land at for your slab, the scope changes that swing it ±$500, and whether DIY is actually cheaper at your volume. Reply anytime — he'll review your real quote.
Includes 10% waste factor
For general step-by-step instructions, read our complete Patio Guide and Patio Thickness.
Concrete Patio Cost by Size
Patio cost scales with square footage. At the standard $6–12/sq ft installed range for a broom finish, the table below covers the sizes homeowners ask about most. Read the low end as a simple broom finish in a low-cost region and the high end as a decorative finish or a high-cost metro.
| Patio Size | Square Feet | Basic Installed ($6–12/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft | 100 | $600–$1,200 |
| 12×12 ft | 144 | $864–$1,728 |
| 12×16 ft | 192 | $1,150–$2,300 |
| 16×18 ft | 288 | $1,730–$3,460 |
| 16×20 ft | 320 | $1,920–$3,840 |
| 20×20 ft | 400 | $2,400–$4,800 |
| 20×24 ft | 480 | $2,880–$5,760 |
| 24×30 ft | 720 | $4,320–$8,640 |
For an exact yardage and bag count at your dimensions, run the numbers through the concrete patio calculator before pricing finishes.
Concrete Patio Cost by Finish Type
The finish you choose is the single biggest driver of patio cost. A basic broom finish is functional, slip-resistant, and code-compliant for outdoor use. Decorative finishes add cost but can transform an outdoor living space at a fraction of the price of natural stone.
| Finish Type | Cost per Sq Ft | 192 sq ft Patio | 400 sq ft Patio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broom finish (standard) | $6–12 | $1,150–$2,300 | $2,400–$4,800 |
| Colored / integral pigment | +$2–5 | $1,150–$2,500 | $2,400–$5,200 |
| Exposed aggregate | $8–12 | $1,540–$2,300 | $3,200–$4,800 |
| Stained and sealed | $6–12 | $1,150–$2,300 | $2,400–$4,800 |
| Stamped concrete | $8–18 | $1,540–$3,460 | $3,200–$7,200 |
Colored concrete is priced as an add-on to the broom-finish base because the pigment is dosed into the same pour. Stamped concrete is the priciest common finish because it adds release agents, texturing mats, and far more hand labor. If your patio wraps a pool, use the concrete pool deck cost calculator — pool decks carry extra slip-texture and drainage requirements.
Patio Thickness and What It Costs
Four inches is the standard thickness for a residential patio and matches the IRC R506.2.3 minimum for a residential slab-on-ground. A patio carries only foot traffic, furniture, and grills, so there is rarely a reason to go thicker — unless it doubles as a parking pad or supports an outdoor kitchen.
| Thickness | Concrete per 100 sq ft | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 4 in | 1.23 cu yd | Standard patios — foot traffic, furniture, grills |
| 5 in | 1.54 cu yd | Patio that doubles as a parking pad |
| 6 in | 1.85 cu yd | Outdoor kitchen, hot tub, or heavy structure |
Each extra inch adds roughly $0.75–1.25/sq ft in material plus a small labor bump. For most backyards, paying for 6 inches is wasted money — see the patio thickness guide for the full breakdown.
Site Prep, Drainage, and Joints
What happens under and around the slab determines whether the patio lasts 30 years or cracks in three. The installed price normally bundles these items, but cut corners here are the most common cause of failure.
- Compacted gravel base: 4 inches of crushed stone, compacted, to support the slab and drain water away from underneath.
- Drainage slope: Pitch the surface about 1/4 inch per foot (a 2% grade) away from the house. Over a 16-foot run that is roughly 4 inches of fall — enough to shed rain without pooling.
- Control joints: Saw-cut or tooled joints every 8–10 feet (and no panel longer than about 2–3 times its width) give cracks a planned place to form. A 16×20 patio needs joints dividing it into roughly 8×10 panels.
- Sealing: Optional for plain broom finish, strongly recommended for colored, stamped, or stained patios to protect the surface and color. Budget $0.50–1.50/sq ft.
For base prep specifics see the subgrade preparation guide; for whether your finish needs sealer, see do you need to seal concrete.
Shapes, Curves, and Borders
A plain rectangle is the cheapest patio to form. Every curve, angle, or border adds form labor and material waste.
| Feature | Added Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangular (baseline) | — | Straight wood forms, minimal waste |
| Curved or rounded edges | +$1–3/sq ft | Flexible forms, more cutting and waste |
| Multi-level or stepped | +$2–5/sq ft | Extra forming, separate pours |
| Contrasting stamped border | +$2–4/linear ft | Hand detailing and a second color |
If you want a freeform shape, get the design finalized before bidding — changing the layout after forms are set is expensive.
What's Included (and What's Not)
A professionally installed patio at $6–12/sq ft typically includes excavation and grading, a 4-inch compacted gravel base, forms set to the correct slope, concrete delivery and placement, broom finishing and edging, and saw-cut control joints.
Items usually not included by default:
- Permits — many jurisdictions require one for a patio over a set size; typically $50–200.
- Sealing — adds $0.50–1.50/sq ft and is recommended for any decorative finish.
- Decorative borders, steps, or built-in features.
- Demolition of an existing patio — add $2–4/sq ft.
Confirm inclusions in writing before signing.
DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor
A concrete patio is DIY-feasible up to about 200 sq ft. Larger projects need ready-mix delivery, multiple helpers, and fast finishing before the concrete stiffens.
- Material cost only: $1.50–2.50/sq ft (concrete, gravel, forming lumber)
- Potential savings: 50–60% vs. contractor price
- What makes it hard: Finishing quality — a poorly finished patio shows every trowel mark and low spot permanently, and decorative finishes like stamping are unforgiving for first-timers
Decorative work, large pours, and anything requiring a permit are usually best left to a pro. For the pour process see the concrete patio guide, for decorative options the stamped concrete guide, and for regional price context the concrete cost per square foot guide.
Ready to price your project? Enter your patio dimensions above for a full material and labor estimate, then compare finishes with the concrete cost calculator.