Concrete patio installation: costs, types, and what to expect

A concrete patio turns unused yard space into a functional outdoor living area. Whether you want a spot for a grill and patio furniture or a full outdoor entertaining space, concrete delivers durability and versatility at a price that works for most budgets.

This guide covers everything you need to know before starting your patio project: costs by size and finish, design options, the installation process, and how to keep your patio looking good for decades.

Why concrete is a smart choice for patios

Concrete remains one of the most popular patio materials for good reasons. It is durable, affordable, and adaptable to almost any design style.

A poured concrete patio lasts 25 to 50 years with basic maintenance. It handles furniture, foot traffic, grills, and weather without the shifting, settling, or weed growth that plagues some alternatives. And with decorative finishes like stamping, staining, and exposed aggregate, concrete can look like natural stone or brick at a fraction of the cost.

Concrete also works with any patio shape. Curves, multi-level surfaces, and integrated features like fire pit pads and built-in seating are all possible with a skilled contractor.

Types of concrete patios

The finish you choose determines both the appearance and the price of your patio.

Standard (broom finish)

The most affordable option. A broom-textured surface is clean, functional, and provides good traction in wet conditions. It works well for simple outdoor dining areas and utility spaces.

Cost: $6 to $16 per square foot (average $10).

Stamped concrete

Stamped concrete uses rubber mats pressed into wet concrete to create patterns that replicate stone, brick, slate, flagstone, or tile. It is the most popular decorative option and can be combined with color for a realistic appearance.

Cost: $12 to $28 per square foot (average $18).

Stamped surfaces need resealing every two to three years to maintain color and protect the pattern. Read our stamped concrete vs pavers comparison for a deeper look at how stamped concrete stacks up.

Exposed aggregate

The top layer of cement paste is washed away during finishing to reveal the natural stone aggregate underneath. The result is a textured, slip-resistant surface with a natural appearance that complements outdoor settings.

Cost: $10 to $22 per square foot.

Exposed aggregate requires less maintenance than stamped concrete and hides minor surface imperfections well.

Colored concrete

Integral color is mixed into the concrete before pouring, creating a consistent hue throughout the slab. Colors range from subtle earth tones to bold reds and blues. Color hardener, applied to the surface during finishing, offers more intense color at a similar cost.

Cost: Standard concrete price plus $2 to $5 per square foot for the color treatment.

Colored concrete can fade slightly over time with UV exposure. Regular sealing slows the fading process significantly.

Cost breakdown by size and finish

Patio size and finish type are the two biggest cost drivers. Here is what to expect for common patio sizes.

Larger patios have a lower cost per square foot because setup, forming, and delivery costs are spread over more area. A 600-square-foot patio costs roughly 50% to 60% more than a 300-square-foot patio, not double.

Additional cost factors

Beyond size and finish, several other elements affect your final price.

Site preparation. Sloped yards, poor drainage, and soft soil conditions require more grading and subbase work. Budget an extra $500 to $2,000 for challenging site conditions.

Demolition and removal. Replacing an existing patio or removing a wood deck adds $2 to $6 per square foot for demolition and haul-away.

Integrated features. Built-in fire pit pads, step-downs, planter walls, and seat walls add $500 to $3,000 per feature depending on complexity.

Drainage. Your contractor must slope the patio away from your home’s foundation at a rate of roughly 1/8 inch per foot. If your yard has drainage challenges, a French drain or channel drain may be needed, adding $500 to $2,000.

Location. Labor rates vary across the country. Urban areas and regions with high demand tend to have higher prices.

Design considerations

A well-designed patio serves your household for decades. Think through these decisions before the pour.

Shape and layout

Rectangular patios are the most cost-effective to build. Curved edges, L-shapes, and multi-level designs add visual interest but increase forming costs by 10% to 20%.

Consider how the patio connects to your home. A sliding door or French door should open directly onto the patio surface. Plan for furniture arrangement, foot traffic paths, and a clear area for the grill away from the house.

Size

A good rule of thumb: plan at least 25 square feet per person you want to seat comfortably. A patio for a family of four should be at least 150 square feet. If you entertain frequently, 300 to 400 square feet provides room for a dining set, seating area, and grill space.

Built-in features

Concrete is an excellent base for outdoor features. Common additions include:

• Fire pit pad. A reinforced concrete pad for a fire pit or fire table. Plan for at least 10 feet of clearance from the house.
• Outdoor kitchen area. A thickened slab with utility rough-ins for a built-in grill, sink, or bar.
• Seat walls. Low concrete walls along the patio edge that double as seating and define the space.
• Step-downs. Multi-level patios work well on sloped lots and create distinct zones for dining and lounging.

Discuss these features with your contractor during the planning phase. It is far easier and cheaper to build them during the initial pour than to add them later.

Site preparation

What happens before the concrete truck arrives matters as much as the pour itself.

Your contractor will start by marking the patio outline, removing vegetation and topsoil, and grading the area to create a uniform slope away from your house. A compacted gravel subbase (typically 4 to 6 inches) goes down next to provide drainage and prevent settling.

If the soil is soft, expansive (high clay content), or poorly drained, additional subbase work or soil stabilization may be needed. Your contractor should assess soil conditions during the quoting process and include any necessary prep in the estimate.

Proper preparation prevents the two most common patio failures: cracking from uneven settling and water pooling against the house foundation.

Installation process overview

Here is what a typical concrete patio installation looks like from start to finish.

Day 1-2: Excavation and prep. The contractor digs out the patio area, installs the gravel subbase, compacts it, and sets the forms. Wire mesh or rebar reinforcement is placed within the forms.

Day 2-3: Pour and finish. Concrete is delivered by truck, poured into the forms, spread, vibrated to remove air pockets, and finished with your chosen texture or stamp pattern. Control joints are cut to manage cracking. If you chose a decorative finish, this is where the magic happens, and it requires an experienced crew working quickly while the concrete is workable.

Day 3 and beyond: Curing. The concrete needs 24 to 48 hours before light foot traffic. Furniture should stay off for at least 3 to 5 days. Full curing takes 28 days. Your contractor may apply a curing compound or advise you to keep the surface moist during the first week.

Most patios are poured and finished in a single day. The total project timeline, including prep and curing, is typically 5 to 10 days.

Patio maintenance

Concrete patios are low-maintenance, but a small amount of care extends their lifespan significantly.

Sealing

Apply a concrete sealer every two to three years. Sealing protects against moisture penetration, staining, UV fading, and freeze-thaw damage. Stamped and colored concrete should always be sealed to maintain the appearance of the finish.

A gallon of quality concrete sealer costs $30 to $60 and covers 200 to 300 square feet. Application is a DIY-friendly task, or your contractor can handle it for $1 to $3 per square foot.

Cleaning

Sweep the patio regularly to prevent dirt buildup. For deeper cleaning, a garden hose and mild detergent work for most surfaces. A pressure washer removes stubborn stains but should be used carefully on stamped or sealed surfaces to avoid damage.

Clean oil, grease, and food spills promptly. The longer a stain sits on concrete, the deeper it penetrates.

Crack repair

Small hairline cracks are normal and cosmetic. Fill them with a flexible concrete caulk to prevent water infiltration. Larger cracks (wider than 1/4 inch) or cracks that grow over time may indicate a subbase issue and should be evaluated by a professional.

Winter care

Avoid deicing salts on concrete patios, especially during the first winter. Salt accelerates surface scaling. Use sand for traction on icy surfaces, or choose a concrete-safe deicer like calcium magnesium acetate.

Regional patio cost considerations

Patio costs vary by location based on local labor rates, soil conditions, and climate requirements. Here are a few highlights from our covered markets.

• Salt Lake City and Denver require air-entrained mixes and enhanced subbase preparation due to expansive clay soils and freeze-thaw cycles, which can add 10% to 15% to the base cost.
• Phoenix offers year-round outdoor living, making patios especially valuable. Fall-to-spring pouring season offers the best quality. Pool deck patios with cool-deck coatings are popular.
• Tampa homeowners use patios year-round. Sulfate-resistant cement may be needed in coastal and low-lying areas.
• Portland has a compressed construction season, and moss prevention is an ongoing maintenance consideration.
• Nashville and Charlotte have excellent conditions for patio construction during spring and fall, with competitive pricing.

Expert tips for a successful patio project

Plan for furniture layout before the pour. Once the concrete is set, you cannot move outlet locations, adjust slopes, or add features. Walk through how you will use the space with furniture, grills, and traffic paths before approving the final design.

Go bigger than you think. The most common regret homeowners report is building a patio too small. A 12x12 patio (144 square feet) fills up fast with a table, four chairs, and a grill. If your budget allows, 250 to 400 square feet gives you room to spread out and entertain comfortably.

Grade matters more than you expect. A patio that slopes toward your house or that has low spots where water pools will cause problems for decades. Your contractor should grade the surface to fall away from the house at a minimum of 1/8 inch per foot.

Get the finish right for your climate. A smooth trowel finish looks clean but becomes dangerously slippery when wet. In rainy climates like Portland or Nashville, choose a broom finish or textured surface. In hot climates like Phoenix, a lighter color finish reflects heat and keeps the surface cooler.

Related projects to consider

A patio project is a great time to think about other outdoor improvements. Many contractors offer discounts when you bundle related work.

• Privacy fence installation creates a private, enclosed backyard space around your new patio.
• Concrete driveway replacement can be scheduled alongside your patio pour for potential volume savings.
• Stamped concrete vs pavers helps you decide on the best decorative option for your patio.
• How to hire a concrete contractor covers the hiring process from licensing to getting quotes.
• Visit our concrete services hub for a full list of concrete projects and contractor resources.

Frequently asked questions

Have more questions about concrete patios? Browse our FAQ section above, or get free quotes from local concrete contractors to discuss your specific project.