Concrete Patio Cost Calculator

What affects the price of a concrete patio

The number the calculator returns is a range because installed concrete prices swing on five levers, and every job weighs them differently.

Finish. A plain broom-finish slab is the cheapest option because the work stops after the pour is leveled and edged. Coloring the mix adds a small material premium. Exposed aggregate requires washing the surface at the right moment during the cure. Stamped concrete is a two-person choreography with timing windows measured in minutes, and it carries the biggest labor markup of the four.

Size. Bigger slabs cost more in total but less per square foot. A crew still has to show up, run a truck, set forms and clean tools whether you order 80 square feet or 400. Most contractors quote a minimum charge around $1,500 to $2,500 that only makes sense against a slab of at least 150 square feet.

Site conditions. A flat, empty backyard with easy truck access is the best case. Add a slope, a tight side yard, a mature tree with roots in the way, or an existing slab that needs to come out, and the crew spends hours before a single pour begins. The Grading and excavation and Remove existing slab add-ons in the calculator capture the two most common cases.

Region. Labor is the largest driver of regional variation. A crew in Los Angeles or Boston bills roughly 30% more per hour than one in Alabama or Mississippi. The state selector applies a multiplier to the whole estimate so the range reflects local rates instead of a flat national number.

Timing. Concrete cannot be poured below freezing without additives, so demand crushes together into spring and early fall in cold-winter states. Booking in winter or midsummer often saves 5% to 10% on the labor line.

Concrete patio price by finish

Ranges below are installed prices per square foot. They already include materials, labor, and a normal amount of waste. They do not include tear-out, sealing or major grading — pick those from the add-ons in the calculator when they apply.

Cost by common patio size

Total installed price by finish, at the national average. The calculator adjusts these figures for your state and any add-ons you select.

What is included in these estimates

The ranges from the calculator cover a normal residential project by a licensed contractor. Included:

• Ready-mix concrete delivered by truck for slabs over about 80 square feet, or bagged mix for smaller jobs.
• Forms, rebar or wire mesh, control joints and edging.
• Labor for site prep, pouring, finishing and cleanup.
• A 10% waste factor on materials, which is standard.
• Curing time on site. The crew is done in a day or two; the slab reaches full strength in 28 days.

Not included, unless you tick the matching add-on:

• Demolition of an existing slab or removal of pavers, tile or concrete.
• Excavation more than a few inches, hauling off spoil, or bringing in fill.
• Sealing the finished surface. Sealer runs $1 to $3 per square foot and should be reapplied every 2 to 3 years.
• Drainage work, French drains, or connections to gutters.
• Structural elements: retaining walls, footers for a future pergola, or a fire pit block.
• Permits. Most ground-level residential patios do not require one, but check with your local building department.

When it makes sense to DIY

A concrete patio is one of the least forgiving DIY projects on the outdoor list. Once the truck backs up your driveway, the clock starts. You have roughly 45 minutes of workable time on a summer day to place, screed, float and edge the whole pour. Mistakes cannot be undone.

DIY makes sense when the slab is small enough that you can mix from bags at your own pace, and simple enough that a poor finish will not stand out. Rules of thumb:

• Under 60 square feet, bagged mix, plain broom finish, level site: worth trying if you have done concrete before.
• 60 to 150 square feet: borderline. You can rent a mixer, but you will need a second person and the finish will look amateur.
• Over 150 square feet, or any decorative finish: hire a crew. Ready-mix delivery, timing, and the finishing skill needed for stamped or exposed aggregate are not a first-project undertaking.

Materials for a DIY 60 square foot slab run about $150 to $250 in bagged mix, plus $50 to $100 in forms, mesh and rentals. That is roughly 30% to 40% of what a contractor would charge — the trade is real, and so is the risk of a slab you regret every time you walk on it.

Frequently asked questions