A concrete patio costs $1,440 to $5,200 for a standard 288 square foot slab at $5 to $18 per square foot for plain poured concrete, according to Angi cost data. Stamped or decorative finishes add $3 to $12 per square foot over the plain concrete base, bringing typical stamped patio projects to $2,400 to $8,700 for the same size. Size, thickness, site access, soil conditions, and finish complexity are the primary cost drivers.
Average Concrete Patio Cost
For a 288 square foot patio (roughly 12 by 24 feet, a common residential size), Angi's 2026 cost data reports a typical range of $1,440 to $5,200 for standard poured concrete. The national average falls near $3,200 for a plain concrete slab in that size range.
The wide range within "plain concrete" reflects regional labor cost differences, the cost of site preparation (grading, base material, forming), and the thickness of the slab. A 4-inch slab on level, well-compacted ground with easy equipment access comes in at the low end. A 6-inch slab on a sloped site requiring significant grading and a longer form setup reaches the high end.
Get a Per-Square-Foot Price, Not Just a Total
When requesting quotes from concrete contractors, always ask for the per-square-foot price separately from the total. This lets you accurately compare quotes for patios of slightly different sizes and understand what you would pay to add or subtract a few feet from the original plan. Two quotes with different square-footage assumptions can look identical in total but represent very different unit prices.
Concrete Patio Cost Per Square Foot by Finish Type
Finish type is the single largest variable in patio pricing beyond raw size. The concrete mix and pour process are the same regardless of finish; the cost difference is in labor time, form complexity, and materials for decorative applications.
| Finish Type | Per Square Foot Cost (est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain broom-finish concrete | $5 - $12 (est.) | Standard residential finish; textured surface for traction |
| Exposed aggregate | $8 - $16 (est.) | Surface seeded with stone aggregate; requires etching or washing while green |
| Salt finish | $7 - $13 (est.) | Salt embedded while wet then washed out; creates pitted surface texture |
| Stamped concrete (single pattern) | $8 - $18 (est.) | Patterned with mold stamps while concrete is green |
| Stamped concrete (multi-pattern/border) | $12 - $30 (est.) | Complex patterns with borders or insets; higher labor cost |
| Colored/stained concrete | $6 - $15 (est.) | Integral color added to mix, or surface applied acid stain after cure |
Per-square-foot estimates from Angi 2026 cost data. Includes materials and labor. Costs do not include demolition of existing surface.
Stamped Concrete Patio Cost
Stamped concrete is the most popular decorative concrete finish for residential patios. It uses rubber or polyurethane molds pressed into the surface while the concrete is still plastic (workable) to create patterns that resemble brick, stone, slate, tile, or wood.
A basic single-pattern stamped patio in the 200 to 400 square foot range costs $1,600 to $7,200 depending on size and pattern complexity, per Angi cost data. Complex multi-pattern designs with borders, two-tone color, and custom insets can run $4,800 to $12,000 for the same size range.
The most common stamped patterns and their relative cost impact:
- Ashlar slate: Medium cost; popular imitation of large-format stone pavers
- Running bond brick: Medium cost; most durable impression since straight edges are simpler to form
- Random stone / cobblestone: Higher cost; irregular shapes require more forming time
- Wood plank: Higher cost; requires precise alignment to read as realistic
Stamped concrete requires a colored concrete base (integral color mixed in) plus a release agent applied before stamping to highlight the pattern relief. The sealer applied after cure is critical for maintaining color and protecting the surface -- stamped concrete without proper sealing fades and deteriorates within two to five years in high-UV or freeze-thaw climates.
Cost to Remove Old Concrete Before Pouring
Demolishing and removing an existing concrete patio adds $500 to $1,500 to a typical project for a 200 to 400 square foot slab, according to Angi cost data. Per-square-foot removal costs run $2 to $6 for standard residential slabs.
Factors that raise removal cost:
- Thick slabs (6 inches or more) require more jackhammer time
- Rebar-reinforced concrete is heavier and slower to break up
- Limited equipment access (fenced yards, narrow gates) prevents mini-excavator use
- Hauling fees vary significantly by region and disposal site
Some contractors will provide a demolition-and-pour quote as a single package. When comparing quotes that include demolition against those that don't, isolate the removal line item to make an accurate comparison.
What Does a Concrete Patio Contractor Include in a Quote?
Concrete patio quotes vary substantially in what they include. Before comparing numbers, confirm whether each quote covers:
- Site preparation: grading, base material (gravel sub-base), and compaction
- Forming and stakes
- Reinforcement: rebar or wire mesh if applicable
- Concrete mix: specify PSI (3,000 PSI is standard residential; 4,000 PSI for heavy loads)
- Pour, finish, and curing
- Sealer application (often quoted separately)
- Haul-away of form lumber and any excess material
A quote that omits the sub-base gravel or sealer is not directly comparable to one that includes them. Ask each contractor to itemize.
For a structured approach to comparing contractor quotes and identifying scope gaps, see How to Get Accurate Contractor Quotes. Before signing, confirm the contractor carries general liability insurance -- see How to Vet a Contractor's License and Insurance.
Does a Concrete Patio Require a Permit?
Most municipalities do not require a building permit for a ground-level concrete patio that is freestanding, not attached to the house structure, and does not impede drainage. The primary exceptions are:
- Patios attached to the house foundation (monolithic pour connecting to the existing foundation)
- Elevated patios or those with retaining walls over 24 to 30 inches in height
- Projects in jurisdictions with strict impervious surface coverage rules (common in flood zones and areas with stormwater runoff regulations)
Confirm requirements with your local building department before work starts. Rules vary significantly by municipality and neighborhood. Some HOA agreements also restrict patio size, finish material, or color -- check your HOA documents if applicable.
Concrete Patio vs Pavers: Cost Comparison
Concrete pavers run $10 to $25 per square foot installed, compared to $5 to $18 for plain poured concrete and $8 to $30 for stamped concrete. The cost cases overlap significantly: a mid-grade stamped concrete patio costs similarly to a concrete paver installation.
Pavers have practical advantages over poured concrete: individual units can be replaced if damaged or stained, and the joint sand between units allows for minor settling without cracking. Poured concrete has lower initial cost for plain finishes and fewer long-term maintenance concerns if properly sealed.
For other outdoor structures, see Deck Building Cost for a comparison of concrete patio costs against wood and composite deck construction costs.
Frequently asked questions
How thick should a residential concrete patio slab be?
A standard residential patio slab should be a minimum of 4 inches thick for foot traffic only. If the patio will bear vehicle weight (a driveway pad, for example), the minimum increases to 6 inches. Slabs poured over fill soil that has not been compacted for at least a year should be reinforced with rebar or wire mesh regardless of thickness, per ACI concrete standards.
How long does concrete take to cure before use?
Concrete reaches sufficient strength for foot traffic within 24 to 48 hours of pour under normal temperature conditions. Full structural cure takes 28 days, after which the slab has reached approximately 99 percent of its design strength. Avoid placing heavy furniture or planters on a new slab for at least 7 days. Cold weather significantly slows curing -- temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can halt the process and require protective coverings.
Does a concrete patio require a permit?
Most municipalities do not require a building permit for a ground-level concrete patio that is not attached to the house structure and does not impede drainage. Patios attached to the foundation, raised patios with walls, or patios that require retaining walls typically do require a permit. Check with your local building department before work starts -- rules vary significantly by municipality.
Can I pour a concrete patio myself?
Pouring a small concrete pad (under 100 square feet) is within reach for experienced DIYers with access to a rented mixer or concrete delivery. Larger slabs require precise grading, formwork, reinforcement placement, and the ability to finish wet concrete quickly before it sets -- tasks that are difficult without prior experience. Mistakes such as improper grading that traps water or surface finishing errors that cause scaling are expensive to correct after the slab cures.
What maintenance does a concrete patio require?
Plain concrete patios should be sealed every two to three years to prevent water infiltration, freeze-thaw cracking, and surface staining. Stamped concrete with a decorative finish requires resealing every one to two years to maintain the color and protective coating. Cracks should be filled promptly with concrete caulk to prevent water infiltration that worsens freeze-thaw damage.
Is stamped concrete worth the extra cost?
Stamped concrete costs $8 to $30 per square foot compared to $5 to $18 for plain concrete, a premium of roughly 50 to 100 percent, per Angi cost data. The durability of the underlying concrete is identical. The additional cost buys visual appearance and texture. Stamped concrete costs significantly less than natural pavers or stone, so if the aesthetic goal is a stone or brick look, stamped concrete is often the more cost-effective path.