Concrete Patio Cost in 2026
A concrete patio costs $6 to $16 per square foot installed, with most homeowners paying $1,800 to $5,000 for an average 300 sq ft patio. A basic broom finish sits at the low end, while stamped, stained, or exposed-aggregate finishes push a mid-size patio to $5,000–$9,000. Concrete remains the cheapest hard-surface patio per square foot. Here’s the full 2026 breakdown, including how it stacks up against pavers and decking.
How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost by Size and Finish?
| Finish | Cost per Sq Ft | 300 Sq Ft Patio |
|---|---|---|
| Broom finish (standard) | $6 – $10 | $1,800 – $3,000 |
| Smooth trowel | $7 – $11 | $2,100 – $3,300 |
| Stained/colored | $8 – $13 | $2,400 – $3,900 |
| Exposed aggregate | $9 – $16 | $2,700 – $4,800 |
| Stamped | $10 – $18 | $3,000 – $5,400 |
| Patio Size | Standard Cost | Decorative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $900 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $2,600 |
| 15x20 (300 sq ft) | $1,800 – $3,000 | $3,000 – $5,400 |
| 20x25 (500 sq ft) | $3,000 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $9,000 |
Where these numbers come from: Installed prices combine 2026 ready-mix material quotes with labor benchmarked against U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 wage data for cement masons and concrete finishers, plus base materials, forms, and contractor overhead. High-cost metros run 20–40% above these ranges.
Concrete vs. Pavers vs. Deck: Which Costs Less?
| Factor | Concrete Patio | Paver Patio | Wood/Composite Deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $6 – $16/sq ft | $10 – $25/sq ft | $25 – $60/sq ft |
| Lifespan | 25 – 50 years | 25 – 50 years | 10 – 30 years |
| Maintenance | Seal every 2–5 yrs | Re-sand joints, weed control | Stain/seal regularly |
| Repairability | Hard (patches show) | Easy (swap units) | Moderate (replace boards) |
| Cracking risk | Yes (managed by joints) | No (units flex) | N/A |
Concrete wins on upfront price and low maintenance. Pavers win on repairability and looks. Decks win only when the yard slopes too much for flatwork — at 2–4x the cost. If a quote for stamped concrete approaches paver pricing, compare both seriously; pavers handle ground movement better.
Why Does a Patio Need Slope and Drainage?
Every concrete patio must slope away from the house at roughly 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot (about 1–2%). A patio that drains toward the foundation funnels thousands of gallons of roof and surface water against your basement walls every year — a leading cause of wet basements and settlement. Good contractors check grade with a laser or level, not by eye.
Beneath the slab, the standard is 4 inches of compacted gravel base over graded soil. In freeze-thaw climates, the Portland Cement Association recommends air-entrained concrete (5–7% air) for exterior flatwork, and the American Concrete Institute covers residential slab design in ACI 332 — ask your contractor whether the bid follows it. Control joints every 8–10 feet manage shrinkage cracking on patios.
Can You DIY a Concrete Patio? An Honest Assessment
Small pads (under ~100 sq ft): realistic. A 10x10 pad needs about 1.25 cubic yards. Materials — bagged or short-load ready-mix, gravel, forms, mesh — run $400–$800, versus $900–$1,500 installed. You save a few hundred dollars and get a workout.
Anything bigger: think hard. Here’s what trips up DIYers:
- Concrete doesn’t wait. A 300 sq ft pour is 4+ yards arriving in one truck. You have roughly 60–90 minutes of workable time, and you need 3–4 people who know how to screed, float, and finish.
- Finishing is a skill. Troweling too early traps bleed water and causes scaling; too late and the surface won’t close. Pros make it look easy because they’ve done it a thousand times.
- A botched slab costs double. You’ll pay for removal ($2–$6/sq ft) plus a re-pour. The $1,000 you tried to save becomes a $3,000 lesson.
The honest middle path: DIY the excavation and gravel base (the labor-heavy, low-skill part), then hire a finishing crew for the pour. Many contractors will quote labor-and-pour only.
How Can You Save on a Concrete Patio?
- Broom finish now, stain later. Acid or water-based stain can be applied years after the pour for a decorative upgrade at $2–$4/sq ft.
- Stamp a border, not the field. Decorative edge with a plain center cuts the stamped premium by 60–70%.
- Combine pours. Adding a patio to a driveway or walkway job spreads the mobilization and short-load fees.
- Get 2–3 itemized quotes and verify each contractor’s license before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 20x20 concrete patio cost? A 400 sq ft patio runs $2,400–$4,000 with a broom finish, or $4,000–$7,200 stamped or stained. Site access, slope, and regional labor move the total.
Is a concrete patio cheaper than pavers? Yes — concrete runs $6–$16/sq ft versus $10–$25 for pavers. But pavers are easier to repair and don’t crack, so the lifetime gap is smaller than the upfront one.
How thick should a concrete patio be? 4 inches over 4 inches of compacted gravel base is standard for foot traffic and furniture. No rebar needed for most patios; wire mesh or fiber mix is typical.
Can I pour a concrete patio myself? A pad under 100 sq ft, yes — with helpers and rented tools. Larger pours need a crew and finishing experience; a failed slab costs more to remove and redo than hiring out from the start.
How long does a concrete patio last? 25–50 years with proper base prep, control joints, drainage slope, and sealing every 2–5 years.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025); American Concrete Institute; Portland Cement Association. National averages for informational purposes only. See the full concrete cost guide.