Common patio sizes
e.g. 12
e.g. 16
Patio Cost Estimate
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Total Cost
$2,496 - $5,760
12x16 ft concrete or stone pavers patio ($13-$30/sf installed)
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Quick Answer
A patio costs $6-$30 per square foot installed for most residential projects in 2026. Poured concrete is cheapest at $6-$15/sf. Pavers run $13-$30/sf. Natural flagstone tops out at $18-$40/sf. Those rates cover material, labor, and a standard compacted base. Excavation and old patio removal are extra. Use the calculator above to get a number for your specific size and material.
How Much Does a Patio Cost?
Last updated: 2026-05-31
A patio costs $6-$30 per square foot installed for a typical residential project, depending on the material. A plain poured concrete patio is cheapest at $6-$15/sf. Pavers run $13-$30/sf, and natural flagstone tops out at $18-$40/sf because the stone costs more and the labor is slower. Those installed rates cover the material, the labor, and a standard compacted base. The two things that blow up a patio budget are the dirt work and the demo. I have quoted backyards where the excavation cost more than the pavers, so I always walk the site and check the slope before I put a number on it. Try EstimationPro free to build a full patio bid with itemized labor and materials.
Patio Cost by Material and Size
All prices are installed (material, labor, and a standard compacted base). Excavation, grading, and old patio removal are extra. These are 2026 national averages and vary by region.
| Material | Per Sq Ft | 10x10 (100 sf) | 12x16 (192 sf) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose gravel | $5-$12 | $500-$1,200 | $960-$2,300 |
| Poured concrete | $6-$15 | $600-$1,500 | $1,150-$2,900 |
| Stamped concrete | $12-$25 | $1,200-$2,500 | $2,300-$4,800 |
| Pavers | $13-$30 | $1,300-$3,000 | $2,500-$5,800 |
| Clay brick | $14-$28 | $1,400-$2,800 | $2,700-$5,400 |
| Natural flagstone | $18-$40 | $1,800-$4,000 | $3,500-$7,700 |
Highlighted row = most common choice. Add $1.50-$4/sf for excavation and $2-$6/sf to remove an old surface.
What Each Part of a Patio Costs
Breaking the patio into line items shows where the money goes and where you can adjust the bid.
| Line Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Surface material (installed) | $5-$40/sf | Gravel cheapest, flagstone priciest |
| Compacted gravel base | Included in rate | Thicker on clay or freeze-thaw soil |
| Excavation & grading | $1.50-$4/sf | Soft, wet, or sloped ground |
| Old patio removal | $2-$6/sf | Plus dump fee, varies by thickness |
| Pattern & cut labor | +15-30% | Herringbone, borders, curves |
Add 5-10% overage on pavers, brick, and flagstone to cover cuts and breakage.
Patio Cost & Installation Guide
Pricing by material and size, what each line item costs, how contractors bid a patio, and the mistakes that wreck a budget.
How Much Does a Patio Cost in 2026?
A patio costs $6-$30 per square foot installed in 2026, depending on the material. A plain poured concrete patio sits at the low end. Pavers, brick, and natural flagstone run the high end because the labor is slower and the material costs more. Most homeowners land somewhere in the middle with a paver patio.
- Gravel patio (10x10): $500-$1,200 installed
- Concrete patio (12x16): $1,150-$2,900 installed
- Paver patio (12x16): $2,500-$5,800 installed
- Flagstone patio (20x20): $7,200-$16,000 installed
Those installed rates already cover the base prep, the setting bed, and the labor. Excavation on bad soil and tearing out an old surface are extra. I have priced patios where the site work cost more than the pavers, so always walk the yard before you quote.
Key Takeaways
- Installed range: $6-$30 per sq ft by material
- Concrete is cheapest, flagstone is priciest
- Excavation and old-patio removal are extra line items
Patio Cost by Material
Material is the biggest cost driver on a patio. Here is what each common surface runs installed, including labor and a standard compacted base.
- Loose gravel / pea gravel: $5-$12/sf. Cheapest, fastest, drains well, needs edging.
- Poured concrete (broom finish): $6-$15/sf. Durable workhorse, can crack without control joints.
- Stamped / decorative concrete: $12-$25/sf. Looks like stone or brick at a lower price than the real thing.
- Concrete or stone pavers: $13-$30/sf. Most popular. Individual units flex instead of cracking and repair easily.
- Clay brick pavers: $14-$28/sf. Classic look, slower to lay in patterns.
- Natural flagstone: $18-$40/sf. Premium natural stone, irregular cuts, the most labor to set.
Key Takeaways
- Gravel is the cheapest patio at $5-$12/sf
- Pavers are the most popular at $13-$30/sf installed
- Flagstone is the premium option at $18-$40/sf
What Drives Patio Cost Up or Down?
Beyond material, site conditions and pattern complexity move a patio bid the most. A flat, accessible yard with good soil is the cheapest job you can ask for.
- Excavation and grading: Soft, wet, or sloped ground adds $1.50-$4/sf to dig out and level before any base goes down.
- Old patio removal: Breaking out and hauling an existing concrete or paver surface adds $2-$6/sf plus a dump fee.
- Pattern and cuts: Herringbone, borders, and curves slow the crew down and raise labor 15-30%.
- Access: If a skid steer cannot reach the backyard, material gets wheelbarrowed by hand and labor climbs.
- Base depth: Clay soil and freeze-thaw climates need a thicker compacted gravel base, which eats material and time.
Key Takeaways
- Excavation and grading adds $1.50-$4/sf on poor soil
- Removing an old patio adds $2-$6/sf plus dump fees
- Complex patterns raise labor 15-30%
How Contractors Price a Patio for a Client
Most patio contractors bid a unit price per square foot, then break it into line items. A clean bid shows the homeowner exactly where the money goes instead of one lump number.
- Measure the area: length x width in feet, plus 5-10% overage on pavers for cuts and breakage.
- Pick the installed material rate from the ranges above and multiply by square footage.
- Add site work as separate lines: excavation, base, and any removal.
- Mark up materials 15-30% to cover overhead, delivery, and profit.
- List everything so the homeowner can compare your bid against others apples to apples.
I learned a long time ago that the contractor who itemizes the bid wins the trust, even when they are not the cheapest. The lowball bid usually leaves out the base or the excavation, then change-orders the homeowner once the yard is torn up.
Key Takeaways
- Bid a unit price per sq ft, then itemize
- Add 5-10% overage on pavers for cuts and breakage
- Mark up materials 15-30% for overhead and profit
Common Patio Cost Mistakes
Skipping the base and underestimating the dirt work are the two mistakes that wreck patio budgets. The surface is only as good as what sits under it.
- Thin or no gravel base. Pavers set on dirt heave and sink within a season. A proper compacted base is not optional.
- No edge restraint. Pavers and gravel spread out at the edges without a restraint holding them in. It is cheap insurance.
- Ignoring slope. A patio needs about 1/4 inch of fall per foot away from the house, or water pools against the foundation.
- Forgetting removal. Tearing out an old slab adds $2-$6/sf, and homeowners almost never budget for it.
- Underbidding the cuts. A round or angled patio wastes 10-15% more material than a simple rectangle.
Key Takeaways
- A compacted gravel base prevents heaving and sinking
- Slope the patio 1/4 inch per foot away from the house
- Budget for old-patio removal at $2-$6/sf
Common Patio Mistakes That Cost Money
- Setting pavers on dirt instead of a base. Pavers laid on bare ground heave and sink within a season. The compacted base is the cheapest insurance on the whole job, and skipping it means you build it twice.
- No edge restraint. Pavers and gravel spread out at the edges without a restraint holding them in. A plastic or steel edge is cheap and it keeps the patio tight for years.
- Ignoring the slope. A patio needs about 1/4 inch of fall per foot away from the house. Get it flat or backwards and water pools against the foundation.
- Forgetting demolition. Tearing out an old slab adds $2-$6/sf plus a dump fee. Homeowners almost never budget for it, so call it out as its own line.
- Underbidding the cuts. A round or angled patio wastes 10-15% more material than a simple rectangle. Add the overage before you order.
Related Tools
- Paver Calculator - Count pavers, base gravel, and polymeric sand for any patio pattern.
- Concrete Slab Cost Calculator - Price a poured concrete patio or slab by thickness and finish.
- Flagstone Calculator - Estimate natural stone tonnage and coverage for a flagstone patio.
- Gravel Calculator - Figure out how much gravel you need for the patio base.
- Driveway Cost Calculator - Compare concrete, asphalt, gravel, and paver costs for a driveway.
- Contractor Markup Calculator - Make sure your patio bids carry the right markup for overhead and profit.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Your Patio Dimensions
Input the length and width of the patio in feet, or tap a common size preset. The calculator works for any rectangular patio from a small sitting area to a full backyard space.
Choose the Material
Pick gravel, poured concrete, stamped concrete, pavers, brick, or natural flagstone. Each material carries its own installed cost per square foot that covers labor and a standard base.
Add Site Work
Check excavation and grading if the ground is soft, wet, or sloped, and check old patio removal if you are tearing out an existing surface first. Each adds a separate line to the estimate.
Enter Your State for Regional Pricing
Add your location and the calculator adjusts the national averages to your region, since labor and material costs swing by area.
Patio Cost Formulas
Area = Length x Width
Material Cost = Area x installed rate ($5-$40/sf)
Excavation = Area x $1.50-$4/sf (if grading)
Removal = Area x $2-$6/sf (if removing old patio)
Total = Material + Excavation + Removal
Cost per Sq Ft = Total / AreaWhere:
- Material
- = Gravel $5-$12, concrete $6-$15, stamped $12-$25, pavers $13-$30, brick $14-$28, flagstone $18-$40 per sf installed
- Excavation
- = $1.50-$4/sf for soft, wet, or sloped ground that needs digging and leveling
- Removal
- = $2-$6/sf to break out and haul an existing patio, plus a dump fee
- Overage
- = Add 5-10% material on pavers, brick, and flagstone for cuts and breakage
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a patio cost per square foot?
A patio costs $6-$30 per square foot installed in 2026, depending on the material. Poured concrete runs $6-$15/sf, pavers run $13-$30/sf, and natural flagstone runs $18-$40/sf. Those rates cover the material, the labor, and a standard compacted base. Excavation on poor soil and removing an old surface are extra.
How much does a 12x16 paver patio cost?
A 12x16 paver patio (192 sq ft) costs $2,500-$5,800 installed in 2026. Concrete or stone pavers run $13-$30 per square foot installed including base prep, the sand setting bed, and edge restraints. Add excavation at $1.50-$4/sf if the ground needs leveling, and old patio removal at $2-$6/sf if you are tearing out a slab first.
What is the cheapest patio material?
Loose gravel or pea gravel is the cheapest patio at $5-$12 per square foot installed. It goes down fast, drains well, and needs only edging to hold it in place. Poured concrete is the next step up at $6-$15/sf and lasts longer with less maintenance. Pavers and flagstone cost more but resist cracking and repair piece by piece.
How do contractors price a patio for a client?
Most patio contractors bid a unit price per square foot, then break it into line items: material, base, excavation, and removal. They measure length by width, add 5-10% overage on pavers for cuts, multiply by the installed rate, and mark up materials 15-30%. Run the numbers through our paver calculator for exact material counts. Try EstimationPro free to turn that takeoff into a full patio bid with line items in minutes.
Do pavers or concrete make a better patio?
Pavers cost more up front but hold up better over time. A poured concrete patio at $6-$15/sf is cheaper, but it cracks and the whole slab has to be patched or replaced. Pavers at $13-$30/sf flex with the ground, and a damaged unit pulls out and swaps in without touching the rest. For a client who wants the lowest price, concrete wins. For one who wants the long game, pavers do.
Does a patio need a gravel base?
Yes. A compacted gravel base is the single most important thing under any patio. Pavers or gravel set straight on dirt heave and sink within a season. The installed rates in this calculator already include a standard base, but clay soil and freeze-thaw climates need a thicker one. I have torn out paver patios that were laid on bare ground and they all failed the same way.
How long does it take to estimate a patio job?
A simple rectangular patio takes 10-15 minutes to price by hand once you have the dimensions and material picked. Irregular shapes, multiple materials, and heavy site work take longer because of the cuts and the dirt work. Software cuts that down: itemize the material, base, and labor once and reuse the template on the next bid.
How much does a 10x10 patio cost?
A 10x10 patio (100 sq ft) costs $500-$3,000 installed depending on material. Loose gravel runs $500-$1,200, poured concrete runs $600-$1,500, and pavers run $1,300-$3,000. Add $150-$400 if the ground needs excavation. One thing I tell homeowners: a 10x10 looks fine on paper but feels small once furniture goes on it. Most end up going 12x16 once they stake it out. Use the paver calculator to get exact material counts before you order.
How much does a 20x20 patio cost?
A 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) costs $2,400-$12,000 installed depending on material. Poured concrete at $6-$15/sf runs $2,400-$6,000. Stamped concrete runs $4,800-$10,000. Pavers at $13-$30/sf run $5,200-$12,000. At 400 square feet you hit the minimum threshold for most paver crews, so the per-foot rate holds without a small-job markup. Add $600-$1,600 for excavation on uneven ground. Try EstimationPro free to build out the full bid with line items, markup, and a client proposal.
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