How Much Does It Cost to Concrete a Backyard?
Putting concrete in a backyard costs $6–12 per square foot installed for a standard 4-inch broom-finish slab. A 10×10 pad runs $600–1,200, a 20×20 backyard slab $2,400–4,800, and a 1,200 sq ft yard (30×40) $7,200–14,400. Stamped or decorative finishes run $8–18 per square foot, and tearing out old concrete adds $2–6.
Concreting a backyard costs $6–12 per square foot installed for a 4-inch slab with a broom finish, so most backyard projects land between $600 for a 10×10 pad and $14,400 for a 1,200 sq ft yard. A 20×20 backyard slab, the most common size people price, runs $2,400–4,800. Finish, local labor rates, and site access move the number more than the concrete itself does. For your exact dimensions and finish, use the concrete patio cost calculator.
Backyard Concrete Cost by Size
These ranges use the standard $6–12 per square foot installed rate for a 4-inch broom-finish slab, which covers excavation, a compacted gravel base, forms, concrete, finishing, and control joints. Read the low end as a simple rectangle in a low-cost region and the high end as a high-cost metro or a difficult site.
| Backyard Area | Square Feet | Installed Cost ($6–12/sq ft) | Concrete Needed (4 in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft | 100 | $600–1,200 | 1.23 yd³ |
| 12×12 ft | 144 | $864–1,728 | 1.78 yd³ |
| 12×16 ft | 192 | $1,150–2,300 | 2.37 yd³ |
| 16×20 ft | 320 | $1,920–3,840 | 3.95 yd³ |
| 20×20 ft | 400 | $2,400–4,800 | 4.94 yd³ |
| 20×30 ft | 600 | $3,600–7,200 | 7.41 yd³ |
| 30×30 ft | 900 | $5,400–10,800 | 11.11 yd³ |
| 30×40 ft | 1,200 | $7,200–14,400 | 14.81 yd³ |
| 40×50 ft | 2,000 | $12,000–24,000 | 24.69 yd³ |
Concrete volumes are before waste; order 5–10% extra. Anything above about 10 cubic yards needs more than one ready-mix truck, which a contractor will schedule back-to-back.
Backyard Concrete Cost per Square Foot by Finish
The finish is the biggest choice you control. A broom finish is slip-resistant and the cheapest; decorative finishes add labor, not much concrete.
| Finish | Cost per Sq Ft | 12×16 (192 sq ft) | 20×20 (400 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broom finish (standard) | $6–12 | $1,150–2,300 | $2,400–4,800 |
| Colored (integral pigment) | +$2–5 | $1,540–3,260 | $3,200–6,800 |
| Exposed aggregate | $8–12 | $1,540–2,300 | $3,200–4,800 |
| Stamped | $8–18 | $1,540–3,460 | $3,200–7,200 |
| Pavers (for comparison) | $10–20 | $1,920–3,840 | $4,000–8,000 |
Stamped and colored slabs should be sealed, which adds $0.50–1.50 per square foot. The stamped concrete cost calculator prices patterns and borders, and colored vs stamped vs plain concrete compares how each holds up.
Backyard Concrete Cost by City
Labor is the largest share of an installed slab, so the same backyard costs very different amounts in different metros. These installed patio ranges come from SlabCalc's cost matrix, built from state DOT bid data and BLS regional wages:
| Metro | Installed Cost per Sq Ft | 20×20 Backyard (400 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $4.97–8.71 | $1,988–3,484 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $4.62–10.29 | $1,848–4,116 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $4.31–10.88 | $1,724–4,352 |
| Chicago, IL | $5.87–9.01 | $2,348–3,604 |
| Miami, FL | $6.36–10.47 | $2,544–4,188 |
| Denver, CO | $8.05–14.28 | $3,220–5,712 |
| Nashville, TN | $8.43–16.29 | $3,372–6,516 |
| Seattle, WA | $8.88–17.84 | $3,552–7,136 |
| Atlanta, GA | $10.25–19.80 | $4,100–7,920 |
| New York, NY | $12.73–28.27 | $5,092–11,308 |
All 30 covered metros are listed on the concrete patio cost by city page.
What Adds to the Cost of Concreting a Backyard
The per-square-foot price assumes an open, fairly level yard where a ready-mix truck can pull up close. Backyards often break that assumption.
| Extra | Typical Cost | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Removing old concrete | $2–6/sq ft ($4–8 if reinforced) | Replacing an existing patio or slab |
| Pump truck | $150–500+ | Truck chute (15–18 ft reach) can't reach the backyard |
| Thicker slab (5–6 in) | +$0.75–1.25/sq ft per inch | Hot tub, outdoor kitchen, or parking |
| Curved edges | +$1–3/sq ft | Freeform or rounded shapes |
| Multi-level or stepped | +$2–5/sq ft | Sloped yards |
| Sealing | $0.50–1.50/sq ft | Recommended for stamped, colored, stained |
| Permit | $50–150 | Many jurisdictions, above a set size |
Access is the backyard-specific cost. If the pour sits behind the house or a fence, the concrete has to be pumped or wheeled in; ask whether the quote includes it. The concrete delivery cost guide covers pump, short-load, and standby fees in detail.
How Thick Should Backyard Concrete Be?
Four inches is the standard for backyard patios and slabs carrying foot traffic, furniture, and grills. It clears the 3.5-inch minimum that IRC R506.1 sets for residential concrete slabs-on-ground.
| Thickness | Concrete per 100 sq ft | Use in a Backyard |
|---|---|---|
| 4 in | 1.23 yd³ | Patios, walkways, shed pads, play areas |
| 5 in | 1.54 yd³ | Area that doubles as vehicle parking |
| 6 in | 1.85 yd³ | Hot tub pad, outdoor kitchen, heavy structures |
Below the slab, plan on about 4 inches of compacted gravel. On top, pitch the surface about 1/4 inch per foot away from the house so rain drains off, and cut control joints every 8–10 feet. The patio thickness guide and gravel under concrete guide cover both in detail.
DIY vs Hiring a Contractor
A contractor at $6–12 per square foot handles excavation, base, forms, delivery, finishing, and joints. Doing it yourself cuts the cost to about $1.50–2.50 per square foot for concrete, gravel, and form lumber, a 50–60% saving, but the finish quality is permanent.
| Backyard Size | DIY Materials ($1.50–2.50/sq ft) | Contractor ($6–12/sq ft) | Realistic DIY? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 (100 sq ft) | $150–250 | $600–1,200 | Yes, bags or 1–2 yd ready-mix |
| 12×16 (192 sq ft) | $288–480 | $1,150–2,300 | Yes, with 2–3 helpers |
| 20×20 (400 sq ft) | $600–1,000 | $2,400–4,800 | Experienced DIYers only |
| 30×40 (1,200 sq ft) | $1,800–3,000 | $7,200–14,400 | Hire a contractor |
Past about 200 sq ft you are placing several yards of ready-mix and finishing it before it stiffens, which is hard without a crew. See DIY vs contractor for the full trade-off and the patio guide for the pour process.
Concreting a Whole Backyard: What to Check First
Covering an entire yard in concrete raises issues a small patio doesn't:
- Drainage. A large slab sheds all its rainwater at once. Slope it away from the house and toward a lawn, bed, or drain, not a neighbor's yard.
- Lot coverage rules. Some cities and HOAs cap the share of a lot that can be paved. Check before you get quotes.
- Joints and panels. Large areas need a planned joint layout so cracks form in the joints, not across the slab. See how to prevent concrete cracking.
- Heat. Plain concrete gets hot in full sun; lighter colors or exposed aggregate stay cooler underfoot than dark stains.
Key Takeaways
- Concreting a backyard costs $6–12 per square foot installed; stamped runs $8–18.
- 10×10: $600–1,200. 20×20: $2,400–4,800. 30×40: $7,200–14,400.
- City matters: installed patio concrete runs $4.97–8.71/sq ft in Houston and $12.73–28.27 in New York.
- Budget extra for removal ($2–6/sq ft), a pump ($150–500+) if the truck can't reach, and sealing on decorative finishes.
- Price your exact backyard with the concrete patio cost calculator, or get the yardage from the concrete patio calculator.