How Much Does It Cost To Build A Patio In 2023

Don't expect to pay much less than $1,212, but some customers spend up to $8,431 for more expensive materials, complex designs, or larger square footage.

In general, expect to pay $8 – $20 per square foot for the complete patio installation.

How Much Does a Patio Cost?

• National average cost: $3,994
• Typical price range: $2,363 – $5,909
• Extreme low end: $1,212
• Extreme high end: $8,431

In most regions, patios can be used during three or even four seasons, but hardscaping projects frequently require a sizable financial commitment.

If you've ever wondered how much it would cost to spend a little more time outside throughout the year, keep reading as we explore pricing averages, material options, cost-saving suggestions, and other expenses to take into account before committing to your new outdoor patio.

Cost Estimator by Size

When building your patio, size is a crucial consideration. Along with labor, these two expenses should be your top priorities.

Larger square footages can easily add hundreds or thousands of dollars to the overall cost, but you don't want to build it too big and not have enough room to enjoy friends and family.

To get an idea of the typical cost range for each size, we'll apply our $8 – $20 per square foot average range to small, medium, and large patios.

• Small – 8' x 10' (80 square feet): $640 – $1,600
• Medium – 12' x 12' (144 square feet) : $1,152 – $2,880
• Large – 20' x 20' (400 square feet) : $3,200 – $8,000

Other Factors That Affect Cost

If you're attempting to control your costs, materials and square footage are likely the two most crucial factors. Here are the typical price ranges for some of the most popular patio materials.

Note: These prices are for the materials only. Labor and other costs are not included in these prices.

Types Of Patio Materisld COST*per square foot

• Gravel $0.81 – $2.85
• Concrete pavers $2.67 – $6.00
• Poured concrete $3.38 – $8.12
• Brick pavers $6.75 – $10.00
• Flagstone $8.65 – $20.65
• Stamped concrete $9.15 – $16.30

Due to the fact that these are average material costs, there may be some circumstances where costs fall outside of these ranges. Again, this is for the cost of materials only, not including installation, excavation, labor, other materials, or any additional costs.

For example, local stone yards and reclaimed brick should not be overlooked if you are interested in researching all of your material options. Of course, you should price the big box home improvement stores as well.

Here's why: Depending on what is available in your area, local stone and reclaimed material suppliers might be a cost-saving choice.

Poured and Stamped Concrete

A simple concrete patio costs around $3 to $6 per square foot. The total cost of a patio made of poured concrete will differ depending on the slab's thickness. Opting for a stamped concrete patio will cost you around $8 to $28 per square foot.

Gravel

The cost of a pea gravel patio will fall between $1 to $4 per square foot. Gravel patios typically have the lowest cost per square foot for materials and labor because they are relatively simple to install, either by yourself or by a professional.

Natural Stone and Flagstone

A natural stone patio will cost around $6 to $35 per square foot, depending on the material. Common materials for natural stone patios include:

Stone Material	Average Material Cost per Square Foot
Sandstone/flagstone	$3 – $15
Travertine	$5 – $15
Limestone	$6 – $13
Marble	$7 – $20
Slate	$10 – $30
Granite	$10 – $35

Brick and Concrete Pavers

Brick paver patios will cost around $8 to $19 per square foot to install. Concrete paver patios will cost around $4.50 to $21 per square foot to install. You can have flagstone, cobblestone, or limestone in a paver patio instead of just brick or concrete.

Maintaining Your Patio

You may believe that your patio requires little to no upkeep. True, it doesn't need weekly mowing or weeding, but to maintain a functional patio, you'll need to evaluate it once or twice a year.

Examine the regular or polymeric sand between your pavers about every six months to see if it is low. Maintain a depth of the sand that is one-fourth of an inch below the pavers' surface.

A regular 40-pound bag of patio sand runs around $4, and 48 pounds of polymeric sand costs about $22. For a new patio, these will cover between 30- and 45 square feet. If your patio is already established, reduce the amount from there.

Choosing whether to seal your pavers is another aspect of patio maintenance. The majority of experts claim it is not necessary, but they also quickly note how advantageous it is. Sealants help preserve the original color, safeguard the pavers and joint sand, and lessen the possibility of permanent staining.

Sealing should be done every 2-5 years depending on the manufacturer's instructions. One gallon of sealant costs about $30 and covers 125 square feet of patio.

Patio Accessories

Your outdoor dining party is scheduled, your patio is finished, and the fire pit is in place. How will everyone be seated, though? Consider including the cost of seating in your budget in addition to the patio's price.

A basic two-chair table set starts at around $100, but be prepared to pay up to several thousand dollars to outfit a large patio with several dining sets, sectionals, and chairs.

Do you want a new hammock? Free-standing hammocks start at around $100.

Patio Upgrade Costs

By adding upgrades, you can easily make your patio feel more like your own. From a cozy firepit to a full-fledged outdoor kitchen, patio upgrades are available.

Backyard Patio With a Firepit

A backyard patio with a firepit will cost around $300 to $1,400 on average. You can opt for a standalone firepit that's already built for around $50 to $250. Or you have one built into the patio for a seamless flow for anywhere from $300 to $3,000.

And don't forget to bring a gas line for the built-in firepit; depending on your situation, the cost will vary greatly on its own. There are also chiminea, which includes a chimney on top of the firepit, which will cost between $150 to $1,500.

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens cost $5,500 to $22,000 on average. But you could end up paying $50,000 or more for extremely large and high-end designs and installs. Your imagination, finances, and available space are your only constraints.

"The appliances you chose significantly impact the terms of cost estimating," says Owner of Landmark Construction & Development Group, Inc., Ezra Laniado "In addition, just like with a built-in firepit in the backyard, the distance and accessibility of your outdoor kitchen to water supply and drainage, a gas supply line, and an electrical supply will have a significant impact on the final cost. Depending on how your home is laid out, the cost of installing any of these utilities at your outdoor kitchen can run from a few hundred to thousands of dollars."

Patio Sitting Wall

Patio sitting walls cost anywhere from $15 to $60 per square foot. Retaining walls cost $3,200 to $8,700 or an average of $40 per square foot. One of these might be necessary for structural reasons or even just to visually divide the space. Your budget is determined by the size and material choices in both cases.

Patio Cover Or Roof

Patio cover costs $5,000 to $25,000 or higher. These can even hit $50,000 or more if you opt for a high-end design, a large enclosure, insulation, or high-end materials. In a sense, the space can merge with your house.

Pergolas

Pergolas will cost between $2,150 to $6,000 on average. Because of custom designs, high-end materials, and size, you could pay upwards of $10,000 or more. Pergolas typically measure 10 by 10 feet, but they can also be 8 by 8 or 18 by 16 feet in size.

Patio Maintenance

Patio repairs will cost anywhere from $700 to $2,250 on average. Maintaining your patio to the highest standard is crucial if you want to minimize patio repairs. A two- to three-year patio resurfacing and resealing schedule is recommended. The cost of resealing and resurfacing your patio is around $1.50 to $3 per square foot.

Keep up with cleaning your patio as well. The cost of power washing your patio is around $200 to $400 on average. To stop cracks from getting worse, repair them as soon as you can.

Extra Services

To build the outdoor living area of your dreams, more materials may be required than pavers. To tie everything together, take a look at a few additional expenses.

Fire Pit Installation

Family and friends can come together in front of a fire pit. If you're having one installed, they range from about $367 – $2,233.

The minimum price for a fire pit should be $250, and the maximum price for custom work could be as much as $7,500. The average fire pit installation costs about $850.

Lighting

Your ability to use your outdoor living space for longer is aided by lighting. No sun? No problem.

If you're interested in having your contractor install lights, expect to pay from $188 – $325 per light, with the average per-light cost running around $260.

The average total ranges from $1833 to $5333 for an average lighting project.

Landscaping

Numerous businesses that specialize in hardscaping also offer softscaping and other landscaping services.

If you'd like to install seasonal color, perennials, flower beds, or shrubs around your new patio area, plan on $4 – $14 per square foot in installation costs.

Cost of a DIY Patio

You've probably given the DIY option some thought if you're interested in keeping costs under control for your patio project.

An expert installation entails significant labor and material costs. Average labor costs run around $9.69 per square foot. Some estimate that labor costs make up over 50% of the total costs. Having said that, you'll significantly lower your expenditure by eliminating this cost.

Imagine you want to construct a straightforward 12' x 20' (240 square foot) concrete paver patio. (We'll assume you already possess all the required equipment.) The average cost for the pavers is $4.34/square foot. Let's do a quick breakdown:

Equipment Needed

This is a list of basic resources. Depending on what you use to build your patio, your list will change.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR DIY PATIO	COST
String lines	you probably have string
Eye protection	$2 – $20
Ear protection	$3+
Proper footwear and outerwear	prices vary
Tape measure	$3 – $30
Hammer	$5+
Square 2'x4' (to level out the sand – as a screed rail)	$5
Rubber mallet	$6 – $27
Garden hose if using polymeric sand	$10+
Gloves	$10 – $15
Trowel	$15
Level	$17 – $75 *4' – 6' level
Safety masks	$17+ *for a five pack of KN95
Leaf blower	$20
Diamond blade *for cutting concrete	$20
Plate compactor or mechanical compactor w/ carpet or other base protection	Rents for $60/half day OR $86/full day
Bobcat (rental)	$200 – $230 for four hours OR $289 – $330 per day
Bobcat alternative: –a bunch of friends –shovels –wheelbarrows	Cost of lunch $8+ $40+
Circular saw (Cordless kit w/ two batteries)	$350

How to Install a DIY Patio

If you're an advanced DIYer who wants to take a crack at your own patio, here is a general overview to consider:

• To find out if you need a permit, check with your city's building department. Although it is unlikely, make sure you check just in case. A grade-level freestanding patio. Inquire about the need for inspections and codes while you're talking with them.
• Consult your HOA.
• Create an outline or blueprint.
• To be sure that you won't dig into any utility lines, contact the local utility department.
• Grab a friend or two.
• Make sure your patio area is ready.
• Install the patio components in compliance with regulations.
• (If applicable) Get a perfect score on the inspection.
• Start enjoying your new outdoor living area by bringing out your furniture.

DIY Cost Vs. Professional Service

So, our average 240 square foot DIY concrete paver patio comes out to $1235.01 – $1250.05, plus delivery fees, if applicable.

If we use our $8 – $20 square foot average, a 240-square-foot professionally installed patio comes to $1,920 – $4,800.

FAQs

How Much Does a 20x20 Concrete Patio Cost

A 20-foot by 20-foot concrete patio runs between $1,200 to $6,000, including labor and materials. Price increases may result from the addition of decorative finishes and colors. However, many contractors will provide a better price per square foot for bigger projects.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Concrete Patio

For labor and materials, a concrete patio typically costs $2,532. Most concrete patio prices range between $1,533 and $4,740 or between $4.40 and $16 per square foot. Large concrete patio installation projects cost an average of $8,050, while small concrete patios typically cost around $650.

How Much Does a Patio Remodel Cost?

A patio remodel can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. It really depends on what you're doing to it. Simply leveling and installing tile might only cost a few thousand, while expansion with a hot tub and outdoor kitchen can easily hit $20,000 or more.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Patio?

It will take a professional between 30 and 50 hours to complete the installation. Simple gravel patios built by the homeowner might take the same amount of time.

How Long Will a Patio Last?

A patio can last anywhere between ten and one hundred years, depending on the material.

What's the Least Expensive Patio Material?

Gravel is the patio material with the lowest cost. Gravel only costs around $1 to $4 per square foot.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Front Walkway?

Replacing a front walkway with poured or stamped concrete costs anywhere from $3 to $28 per square foot, depending on the upgrades you choose. Using pavers tends to cost $8 to $20 per square foot.