How Much Does Concrete Patio Cost: The Real Numbers

A concrete patio is standard in most homes, and if you’ve dreamed of turning your outside space into a blank canvas that’s more usable, you might have considered it yourself.

The cost of doing such a job varies, though, so getting an understanding of the budget is important before you dive in.

How much does a concrete patio cost?

The costs for a concrete patio depend on the finish you want, including concrete pavers, a slab, stamped concrete, or stained concrete.

A standard concrete patio costs at least $5 per square foot, and then extra for other effects and designs you want.

This simple guide will give you an idea of the costs to except with a concrete patio.

We’ll walk you through the most common concrete effects and what you can expect to pay for them, as well as options to DIY the job and potentially save some cash.

Determining the Concrete Patio Cost

There are a few factors that will determine the final cost of your project, so it’s not only about the type of concrete you choose.

Consider how these elements might impact the cost and if there’s anything you can do to reduce it:

Preparation

The floor needs to be prepared for concrete to be laid, and if required, contractors may have to create a subfloor so that it can be poured evenly and safely.

Size

Larger sizes of patios might be able to save some money on square footage, whereas smaller sizes could cost more because of the extra work for setting up and gathering supplies for such a small job.

Location

The ease of accessibility where you want the concrete work done will also factor in, as well as the final location.

Higher areas like a sundeck or bistro patio will inevitably cost more than one on ground level.

Patio material

On the cheaper end of the scale, the most basic cement for creating a patio costs between $2 and $7 per square foot, and on the more expensive end of the scale, you’ll pay up to $80 a square foot for marble slabs to be laid.

Common Costs of Concrete Patios

There is a wide variety of concrete patio options to choose from, some more expensive than others.

Whether you want just a standard slab laid or prefer something more decorative with details and colors, this gives you a rough idea of what you’ll pay per square foot.

Stained concrete: $2 to $4 square foot
Stamped concrete patio: $1.50 to $1.70 square foot
Painted concrete: $2 to $6 square foot
Decorative masking: $1 to $10 square foot
Exposed aggregate: $0.90 – $1.90 square foot

If you want a more sophisticated look than poured cement, there are other popular decking options to consider.

A brick patio costs around $7 to $12 for installation and supplies, whereas a timber deck for your patio will cost upwards of $25 per square foot, making it one of the most expensive options.

DIY vs Professional: Can You Really Save?

Whether or not you can save money by making this a DIY job depends on your skills and experience, what materials you need to buy, and how much you’ve been quoted by a contractor to do the job professionally.

You should also consider that the job needs to be done safely so the concrete is structurally sound which often takes an expert to assist with.

The area you plan on concreting should be assessed as well, as you might need to look at preparing the subfloor, leveling the ground, and excavating.

These are all jobs that will add time and money to the project but are absolutely necessary.

Some estimates show that you can save up to 50% of the costs by creating a concrete patio yourself, but this doesn’t factor in the additional time spent to do it.

Taking a few days off of work in itself is a big cost, so it’s likely one of those jobs you should leave to the experts.

Crunching the Numbers for Concrete

Concrete is one of the cheaper options for patio flooring and it’s designed to last the longest as well, with minimal maintenance.

These are all factors to consider if you’re planning on this style of the patio, but whatever effect or style you choose, your concrete patio will be around for many years.

Related Questions

A concrete patio has a lot of benefits to offer the average patio, including durability, simplicity, and longevity.

If you’re still on the fence about a concrete patio and want to learn more, we can help you out with our FAQs and expert answers.

How Much Does a 10×20 Concrete Patio Cost?

The average cost to concrete a 10×20 patio is around $2,000, but there are many factors that can impact this price.

The type of concrete, final effect and design, the area where it’s laid, and the individual charge of the contractor should all be factored in before coming to a more specific estimate.

Is It Cheaper to Pave or Concrete?

Pouring a concrete slab usually works out cheaper than laying pavers, and this includes all parts of the job from labor to materials.

However, if you want a more intricate design like stamped or stained concrete, pavers will be the cheaper option and will be less time-consuming to lay.