Concrete might just be the perfect patio material. It’s ultra-durable, low maintenance, and stunningly versatile. Plus, with stamping, stenciling, and staining, you can mimic the look of practically any material, including stone, brick, and marble.
A concrete patio is relatively affordable, too, costing up to half as much as premium materials. Most homeowners typically pay between $1,920 and $6,000 for their patio. However, your costs may vary depending on factors like the patio size, finish, and design.
To help you budget, I’ve used my experience and hours of research to estimate the cost of pouring a concrete patio. So, let’s get moving toward your dream build by looking at the average costs and all the key pricing factors to keep in mind.
How to Estimate the Cost of Pouring Concrete Patio
Estimating the cost of pouring concrete patios begins with an understanding of what many homeowners spend on this project. On average, a concrete patio costs $3,960. But you can expect to pay anywhere from $490 to $9,600 — or roughly $8 to $30 per square foot.
The wide price range primarily comes down to the project difficulty, material quality, and local market conditions. Other factors will also affect the cost, like if you need to remove the old concrete, grade and level the land, or reinforce the slab.
The complexity of the build plays the biggest role in how much you’ll pay. Large patios with curved edges and a high-end finish cost the most. Small square patios with a plain finish are the most budget-friendly builds.
The concrete quality also impacts the price. Concrete comes in many grades that reflect its compressive strength or ability to support heavy loads. Patios don’t need to support vehicles, but it’s best to go with a higher grade if you’re going to build an outdoor kitchen. A higher grade means higher costs, though.
Beyond all that, local market conditions can raise or lower the price depending on the labor rates in your area and contractor availability. Urban areas have a higher demand for concrete work, keeping contractors busy and increasing their labor rates as a result.
Average Cost of Concrete Patios by Size
| Patio Dimensions | Total Square Footage | Average Price Range |
| 7”x7” | 49 | $490 – $980 |
| 10”x10” | 100 | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| 8”x16” | 128 | $1,280 – $2,560 |
| 15”x15” | 225 | $2,250 – $4500 |
| 16”x20” | 320 | $3,200 – $6,400 |
| 20”x20” | 400 | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| 20”x24” | 480 | $4,800 – $9,600 |
Costs of Different Types of Concrete
Plain concrete costs about $8 to $15 per square foot to pour and finish in most areas. If you’d like a decorative finish, the price increases to cover the cost of additional materials and extra work to complete the job. Concrete slab costs can exceed $30 per square foot depending on your desired finish.
Plain Concrete
Plain concrete has a smooth, uniform finish without any lines or other designs on the surface. Installers create this look by smoothing out the top of the poured concrete with a steel trowel before it dries.
An average 300-square-foot patio made from plain concrete costs about $3,450. This material can provide 30 to 50 years of service. Like all types of concrete, you must repair cracks as they appear and reseal the surface every three to five years to maximize its lifespan.
Broom Finish
Also known as a brushed finish, a broom finish makes the concrete look a lot more dynamic without too much extra work. Installers create the textured surface by gently running a push broom over the smooth, wet concrete.
If you request a broom finish, expect the price to increase by $1 to $3 per square foot. You may pay around $4,050 for an average-sized patio with a brushed finish. The slab should last at least 30 years with minor repairs and regular sealing.
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
![aggregate concrete patio]](https://d7fcfvvxwoz9e.cloudfront.net/dom43635/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-2.png)
Exposed aggregate concrete has the top layer of cement removed, revealing the individual aggregate pieces embedded in the mix. The visible stones not only look fantastic but also improve traction and durability.
The additional labor adds about $1 to $3 per square foot to the total. At that price, the average patio would cost around $4,050. You can get a lot of use out of that investment. It’s common to see exposed aggregate concrete surfaces still in great shape 50 years later.
Stenciled Concrete
Stencils are a fun way to transform the look of your concrete to mimic whatever material or design you’d like. From brickwork to flower-inspired patterns, the sky is the limit to how you can dress up your patio. Installers must painstakingly lie down the stencils and stain, paint, or tint the exposed areas to create your design.
Depending on the desired look, this adds between $2 and $7 per square foot, bringing the total cost to $4,800 on average. The stencilwork will only last about five years before needing to get redone, but the slab should last up to 50 years with proper care.
Stained Concrete
Acid stain lets you turn ordinary gray concrete into something truly extraordinary. And it’s not just about earth tones anymore. Modern stain products come in nearly every color of the rainbow, including vivid green and orange tones. You can even make the concrete look like a real marble floor.
Your concrete installer can apply the stain using a brush, roller, or paint sprayer. The additional labor and materials increase the project cost by $4 to $10 per square foot. The higher rate brings the average total to around $5,550. You’ll get to enjoy the vibrant tones for up to 20 years as long as you don’t use harsh chemical cleansers.
Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete allows you to enjoy the look of natural stone or bricks without the high price tag. Installers create the design by treating the surface with color hardener and release agents before carefully pressing the stamps into the still wet concrete.
The stamps are applied one at a time, adding hours to the project time. This increases the cost by $6 to $15 per square foot for a total of $6,600 for a 300-square-foot patio. The lines in the surface somewhat decrease the durability, but you should still be able to get 25 to 30 years out of the build.
Engraved Concrete
![engraved concrete walkway]](https://d7fcfvvxwoz9e.cloudfront.net/dom43635/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-6.png)
Concrete engraving allows you to turn a basic slab into a true work of art. The process adds a pop of color and intricate patterns unlike anything you can accomplish with other patio materials. To complete the job, the installer must wait until the concrete cures before returning to stain the surface and etch out the designs.
Depending on the complexity of the chosen pattern, you may pay anywhere from $16 to over $30 per square foot for this service. Your concrete patio costs could exceed $9,000 as a result. Even with the proper care, most engraved patios only retain their color and designs for about 20 years before needing to get redone.
Concrete Finish Costs
| Type of Concrete | Cost per square foot |
| Plain | $8 – $15 |
| Broom | $9 – $18 |
| Exposed | $10 – $18 |
| Stenciled | $10 – $22 |
| Stained | $12 – $25 |
| Stamped | $14 – $30 |
| Engraved | $16 – $30+ |
Concrete Patio Cost Examples
Looking at your ideal patio size and finish is the best way to determine the approximate price of your project. Here are some cost examples to help you determine how much to set aside for your build.
Urban Chic Stamped Concrete Patio
Expect to pay upwards of $4,320 for a 12×12-foot concrete patio with a stamped finish similar to the one above. The detailed stamping, curved edges, and its location in an urban area all push the total toward the upper end of the price range.
Sleek Suburban Concrete Patio
The 8×16-foot concrete patio with plain finish shown above likely costs up to $1,480 in most suburban areas. The clean, straight edges and basic design keep it budget-friendly, but the price may go up if the backyard is not easily accessible.
Rustic Rural Exposed Aggregate Patio
When installed in a rural area, this 16×24-foot exposed aggregate concrete patio could cost around $5,400 or more. The fairly simple design keeps labor costs low, but it’ll likely be more for the longer material delivery distance.
How to Measure and Plan Your Concrete Patio
Measuring and planning your concrete patio helps you avoid issues down the road. Your efforts will ensure you get the right amount of concrete and other supplies, helping you keep material costs down. And it’ll help you create an outdoor living space that will work for your needs for years to come.
How to Calculate How Much Concrete You Need For Your Patio
Whether you’re hiring a concrete patio contractor or taking the DIY approach, it’s important to know how to calculate how much concrete you need.
Quikrete has a good concrete calculator you can use if buying it by the bag. Or you can get the measurements by volume from a general concrete calculator, so you can hire a ready-mix truck to deliver it.
Using these cost calculators is pretty straightforward. Just input either the square footage of your planned patio or its dimensions to get a material estimate.
If you’d rather do the calculations on your own, find the volume by multiplying the length, width, and depth. Remember that the slab should be four inches thick, although eight is better if you plan to install a gazebo or hot tub.
Use that figure to determine how many bags you need by dividing the total volume by the volume per bag. For cost estimate purposes, every 20 pounds of concrete mix covers about 0.15 cubic feet. So, a 40-pound bag covers 0.30 cubic feet.
How to Decide Where to Pour Your Concrete Patio
Choosing the right spot for your patio involves thinking about things like the amount of shade and sun exposure you want. The location should also have good drainage to keep water from pooling or at least a gentle slope to aid in runoff.
Think about how close you want the patio to your house and how it will look with your exterior home design. Reflect on how you’ll use the space and what you might add to its design, such as privacy walls, a fire pit, landscaping around the edges, attached Heartland Pergolas, or an outdoor kitchen.
Consider how the different patio shapes might look in the space. Rectangular, square, and circulator shapes are the most common, but an irregular shape might better fit your design vision. The available space, your budget, and your plans for the patio determines what size to make it.
Personalization comes next. You can give your patio a unique touch by curving the edges, adding borders, and selecting an attractive finish. By now, your vision of the perfect outdoor retreat should be coming into focus.
What Else Affects the Pricing of Pouring a Concrete Patio?
The national average price of $3,960 typically covers a basic concrete slab poured at a four-inch thickness without any reinforcements. Your project estimate may vary due to many additional cost factors, including:
Labor
Labor rates differ from contractor to contractor. Their experience level, location, and demand for their services greatly impact what they might charge. Concrete contractors charge between $50 and $100 per hour on average, but it could be higher if they have decades of experience or work in a large metropolitan area.
Get Estimates For Concrete Pouring In Your State
Accessibility
Limited access to the area where you want your patio can increase the price. If you’re having ready-to-pour cement delivered, the company will likely sell its concrete pumping services separately. Additional labor costs may also apply if your contractor has to lug concrete mix a long distance.
Demo
Demolition of an existing patio adds $2 to $6 per square foot to the total. At that rate, removal and disposal of a 300-square-foot patio may cost $600 to $1,800. The exact rate depends on the size of the existing concrete slab, how far workers need to transport the pieces, and disposal costs in your area.
Regrading
Unless you’re working on completely flat land, you may pay $500 to over $3,500 to regrade and level the area. On average, contractors charge around $75 an hour to prep the land for a new patio. Some contractors charge by the cubic yard, though, starting at $15 per cubic yard.
Thickness
The slab thickness increases both material and labor costs by up to 150%. This raises the average price to around $18 per square foot. As the slab thickness rises, you may have to add reinforcements, like wire mesh and rebar. Wire mesh costs about $0.50 per square foot, while rebar is $1 per foot.
Sealing
Sealing the concrete with acrylic, epoxy, or polyurethane costs up to $5 per square foot. Most contractors apply the initial coat of sealer during the concrete patio installation process. You should apply additional coats every two to five years to preserve the finished concrete.
How to Save Money on Pouring Concrete Patio
If concrete patio costs exceed your budget, you can potentially save money without compromising on quality or durability by:
- Get quotes from at least three contractors to compare their prices and negotiate for deals and discounts.
- Ask to schedule your home improvement project during the off-season to save money on labor.
- Choose a simple design and finish, like a 12×12-foot square patio with a plain surface finish.
- Carefully measure and plan your project to reduce waste and avoid costly mistakes.
- Use standard concrete instead of specialty custom mixes, like lightweight or high-strength formulas.
- Complete some of the preparation work yourself, including leveling the land, preparing the sub base, and installing forms.
- Buy the bags of concrete mix by the pallet to get a bulk discount from the retailer.
DIY Vs. Professional Installation of a Concrete Patio
Working with concrete seems simple enough at first glance. Prepare the mix as directed on the bag, pour it into the desired area, and smooth it out. But there’s really a lot more to it than that.
Environmental conditions can affect how much water you need, how fast you have to work, and what curing methods to use. Leveling and finishing must be completed at just the right moment to create an even surface. Even mixing and pouring concrete has to be done just so to ensure the cement bonds to the aggregate and that there are no air pockets.
For those reasons, hiring a professional is an excellent choice. By paying for their concrete installation services, you’ll have true peace of mind that everything will go to plan. And it could save you money on having to otherwise destroy and remove an improperly installed concrete patio.
So, Is the Cost of Pouring a Concrete Patio Worth It?
The cost of pouring a concrete patio is often worth it, especially if you take the right approach to planning the project. The versatility of concrete allows you to get just the right look. And its durability and low maintenance needs will provide immense value for decades to come.
You do need to install the concrete properly to enjoy all its benefits, which is why it’s a good idea to hire a contractor. To get the best results, look for a reputable and experienced installer, not just go for the lowest price.
Verify that their past concrete projects meet your quality expectations and that they understand what you want. Make sure they can see your vision of the perfect patio the same way you do and have what it takes to bring it to life.
FAQs About the Cost to Pour a Patio
Is it cheaper to lay concrete or pavers?
At $8 to $15 per square foot on average, plain poured concrete is more affordable than concrete pavers. Professional paver installation costs between $15 and $25 per square foot. Pavers could be the more budget-friendly option if you install it yourself or want a higher-end concrete finish.
Is a concrete patio cheaper than a deck?
Installing a concrete patio costs less than a deck, and it’s cheaper to maintain as well. Even the most affordable wood deck costs $15 per square foot on average to install. Budget poured concrete costs nearly half that at $8 per square foot.
How long does it take to pour a concrete slab?
Professional crews can pour a concrete slab in less than one day. Placing the forms takes the longest at about three hours in total. Placing the concrete and finishing its surface adds another two hours. Decorative finishes like brushing and stamping can add more than an hour to the project time.
