Installing a patio costs $5 – $40 per square foot, including materials and labor. Small patios of 80 to 100 square feet cost $400 to $4,000, while large patios of 400 square feet or more range from $2,000 to $16,000.
The most affordable patios are gravel and concrete slab models, while premium, high-priced patios are made of natural stone.
Note: If you want price estimates for a deck (a wood or composite structure raised off the ground), see our guide, How Much Does it Cost to Build a Deck in 2024?
Our price ranges are based on sampling the costs to install a patio in major metros and rural cities across the United States. Your project’s final price depends on materials, design, terrain, and where you live in the country.
Cost by Patio Material
Depending on the patio material, you can pay as low as $2.35 per square foot for a gravel patio to more than $30 per square foot for a natural stone model.
Below are the average price ranges for some of the most popular patio materials.
| Types of patio materials | Cost per square foot (with installation) |
| Gravel (2 to 3 inches thick) | $2.35 – $6.20 |
| Concrete slab with smooth or brushed finish (4 to 6 inches thick) | $4 – $9 |
| Concrete slab color stained or acid finish (4 to 6 inches thick) | $5.50 – $12.50 |
| Concrete slab with stamped finish (4 to 6 inches thick) | $8 – $16 |
| Concrete pavers | $8.70 to $16.70 |
| Brick pavers | $10 to $19.50 |
| Natural stone pavers | $15 – $31 |
| Flagstone pavers | $13.65 – $31.65 |
The low end is for thinner patios and larger pavers that are easier to install. Thicker patios and models built from smaller pavers take your price toward the higher end of the interval.
Learn more details about each type of patio material and how it influences pricing from our guides:
- How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost?
- How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost?
- How Much Does a Gravel Patio Cost?
- How Much Does a Natural Stone Patio Cost?
When choosing, keep in mind that concrete slabs and any other type of installation that can be considered a permanent foundation will increase the house taxes.
How to save: If you are interested in looking into all of your materials options, you’ll probably price the big box home improvement stores, of course, but don’t forget about local stone yards and reclaimed brick, for example.
Here’s why: Depending on what is available in your area, local stone and reclaimed materials suppliers may be a money-saving option.
Cost by Location
Patio pricing is also influenced by the cost of living in your area, mainly when it comes to how cheap or expensive construction materials are and the price of labor.
See the table below for the average costs of ground-level patio installation collected for a sample of metros and small cities across the U.S. The low end of the price range is for patios made of poured concrete, while the high end is flagstone.
| Northeast U.S. | Cost per foot (including labor cost + materials) |
| New York, NY | $10.50 – $35.20 |
| Pawtucket, RI | $8.50 – $28.40 |
| Southeast U.S. | |
| Atlanta, GA | $8.50 – $28.25 |
| Dothan, AL | $7.70 – $25.70 |
| Midwest U.S. | |
| Chicago, IL | $9.20 – $30.75 |
| South Bend, IN | $7.90 – $26.40 |
| Northwest U.S. | |
| Seattle, WA | $9 – $30 |
| Corvallis, OR | $8 – $26.70 |
| Southwest U.S. | |
| San Diego, CA | $8.75 – $29.15 |
| Roswell, NM | $8 – $26.80 |
Use the data to figure out the price range for a patio installation in your location. For a more precise cost, get free quotes from local contractors through LawnStarter.
Professional Installation Cost vs. DIY Cost
If you’re handy with tools and don’t mind working with stones, bricks, and concrete, you can save between $4 and $18 per square foot (labor costs) by installing the patio DIY.
However, you’ll invest time and energy instead, so installation is not exactly free; you’re just exchanging working hours for money. A well-oiled crew can install a simple patio in a day or even several hours, but as a DIYer, you can expect the process to take about two to four weekends, depending on the complexity of your design.
Read our DIY guides on patio installation to have a clearer picture of what to expect:
- How to Build a Gravel Patio DIY
- Cost to Build a Gravel Patio DIY
- How to Build a Paver Patio DIY
- Cost to Build a Paver Patio DIY
- How to Build a Concrete Slab Patio DIY
- Cost to Build a Concrete Slab Patio DIY
Cost by Height
Raised patios are less common and more expensive, costing $9 to $55 per square foot. That’s $4 to $15 more per square foot than ground-level patios, typically 3 to 6 inches thick. The difference is due to the additional material and labor required when building an elevated patio.
Cost by Shape
Our price estimates are for square and mainly rectangular patios. If you dream of a round-shaped patio or a curved design, you’ll typically add an extra $0.50 to $1 per square foot to the installation budget.
Cost of Permits to Install a Patio
Depending on local regulations, concrete slab patios can be considered a permanent home improvement and might require a building permit costing $50 and $200.
Gravel and paver patios don’t usually need a permit since they are not considered permanent structures.
Cost to Install on Uneven Terrain
Leveling an uneven lawn before installing a patio costs about $0.80 to $2 per square foot. Why do you need it? Because nobody likes a wavy patio or water pooling in its center. The leveled ground makes pouring concrete and laying pavers much easier and ensures a perfectly flat patio surface on which to place chairs and tables.
Cost to Remove Old Patio
If the installation area is occupied by an old patio you need to remove, this will add to your total budget. Removing a concrete patio costs $2 to $6 per square foot.
Patio Accessories and Add-ons
A patio is only a paved square in your yard until you make it more. You’ll need accessories to give it personality and make it comfortable. Here’s what homeowners usually add to a newly built patio:
- Anchor bolts for a pergola or gazebo: If you talk to the patio contractors, they’ll add anchor bolts to help secure a pergola or gazebo for an additional $0.70 to $2.70 per square foot.
- Pergola or gazebo: When professionally installed, pergolas cost $2,100 – $6,000, while gazebos range between $5,358 and $9,058.
- Retractable awning for shade: Retractable awnings cost $1,000 to $6,000, depending on the size and material.
- Conduit pipe for water, gas, or electricity: If you need utilities installed on your patio for a fire pit or outdoor kitchen, expect to pay another $2.35 to $3.15 to dig and install conduit pipe.
- Fire pit: The heart of great gathering spaces for family and friends, fire pits range from $367 to $2,233, including materials and installation.
- Outdoor kitchen: The typical price of an outdoor kitchen ranges between $5,057 to $17,276.
- Outdoor furniture: Sets with chairs and tables start at $100 and can go to several thousand dollars depending on number of elements, style, materials and brand. Free-standing hammocks start at around $100.
- Outdoor lighting: No sun? No problem. Lighting helps extend the time you can enjoy your outdoor living space. Outdoor light fixtures range between $50 to $1,000 per item or string to install.
- Landscaping: Don’t let your patio waste its beauty on wild land. For $5 – $24 per square foot in landscaping costs, a professional garden designer can surround your new patio area in seasonal colors, perennials, flower beds, or shrubs.
FAQ
How much is a 12×12 patio?
Depending on material and shape, a 12×12 patio costs $1,220 to $9,760. It might cost more if the terrain requires leveling or you want an elevated patio that requires more materials than a ground-level one.
How much is it to lay a patio, labor only?
Assuming you already have all the necessary materials and only need a handyman to put them together, you can expect to pay $4 to $18 per square foot for labor.
Which is cheaper, a concrete patio or pavers?
A concrete slab with a smooth or brushed finish is cheaper than pavers, but the cost difference becomes less obvious once you add more complex finishes. For example, stamped concrete is in a price range similar to brick pavers.
Find the Best Contractor to Build Your Patio
It’s the perfect time to add a patio to your garden and prepare for some amazing outdoorsy moments with your family. Find the best contractors in your area through LawnStarter. Request free quotes, compare pros, and turn your dream patio into reality today!
Main Photo Credit: dailyinvention / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
