How much does it cost to install a concrete patio?

Within the realm of exterior home renovations, patios are perennially popular. If you’re looking for an affordable, relatively easy-to-install option, consider a concrete patio in particular.

It may sound somewhat industrial compared to the traditional brick or stone, but concrete has come a long way in recent decades. You can adjust the color, finish and other features to your specific tastes. Plus, a backyard concrete patio comes with a huge pro: little to no maintenance.

So, you’re probably wondering, how much does a concrete patio cost? The average runs to $3,263, according to Angi, the home improvement/contractor search service site — but you can spend anywhere from just under $1,000 to $9,000. Yes, that’s a big range, so let’s dig into the cost to pour a concrete patio and some specific factors that will influence the price tag.

Average concrete patio costs in 2023

A concrete patio is essentially a slab of concrete, poured over a mesh-covered, compacted gravel base or subfloor. You can pour it wherever you want it. It could serve as a deck off your back door or a landing pad for some nice outdoor furniture in front of your house.

But you should know that a lot plays into that concrete slab cost. “For starters, it depends on where you are geographically,”  K&K Concrete founder Jay Kyne, a Ridgeway, Colo.-based concrete contractor with over three decades of experience, explains. In the Phoenix area, he says, concrete costs around $150 a yard, while in Southwestern Colorado, it’s closer to $225 a yard.

Baseline, just the material of the concrete itself usually runs $2–$3 per square foot. But that’s not all you need to consider. So let’s look at some rough average costs. (If you’ve been looking for cement patios, you’re still in the right place — cement is one of the components in concrete, along with sand, gravel and water.)

What is the average cost of a concrete patio by square foot?

Breaking the concrete patio cost into square feet can give you a rough idea of what to budget. Multiply it by the area of your planned patio to get a ballpark figure. But this is just a starting point.

Beyond your basic concrete slab cost, your project total will vary depending on labor costs, the finish you want (see costs by type, below), where your patio is located (both in the country and on your specific property) and any special features you add, like a paver border.

Obviously, the bigger your patio, the pricier it will be; but the per-square-foot cost generally goes down the more you pour. In fact, many contractors have a minimum price for a patio installation. Even if your patio is tiny, they’ll still charge you that minimum. This covers the cost to get their team and all their equipment out to your yard.

All of this said, if you’re trying to get a sense of how much a front or backyard concrete patio will cost, budget around $10 per square foot if you want a simple square or rectangular patio in a flat, easy-to-access area. If the area needs prepping (e.g., soil needs to be filled, old concrete needs to be removed), it’s hard to get to or you want fancy features, budget closer to $30 per square foot.

Concrete patio cost by type

When it comes to the cost to pour a concrete patio, the kind of finish you want plays a big role. So let’s look at per-square-foot ranges for various concrete patio options:

Concrete slab

Trying to save a buck? The cost of a plain concrete slab is the lowest. For a slab with the standard troweled-smooth finish, budget $4–$10 per square foot.

Stained concrete

Adding color to your concrete patio comes at a cost. Budget $5–$15 per square foot if you want your patio stained.

Stamped concrete

Stamping designs into your patio can make it more eye-catching, but that service, of course, isn’t free. Stamped patios usually cost $5–$30 per square foot.

Painted concrete

The cost for this option depends on the paint and sealer you choose, but you can usually expect to spend somewhere between $6–$16 per square foot.

Polished concrete

If you want a glossy, stain-resistant finish, you’ll add to your concrete patio cost (but save time and money on maintenance down the road). Usually, polished concrete patios cost around $7–$22 per square foot.

Broom-finished concrete

A broom finish is relatively easy for concrete contractors to apply, so it can help to keep the cost to pour your concrete patio down. Usually, you’re looking at $4–$10 per square foot.

Decorative stencil

For this added flair, your concrete patio will likely cost around $5–$17 per square foot.

Exposed aggregate concrete

This non-slip finish option adds a few bucks per square foot, so you should generally plan to pay $6–$13 per square foot.

Factors that affect the cost of a concrete patio

The finish isn’t the only factor impacting your concrete patio cost. You also need to consider:

Ground and grading

“Soil conditions make a big difference,” Kyne says. “[You need to] prepare the subgrade so it’ll bear the concrete that you’re pouring on it. That’s a big variable depending on grading, whether or not you need to import soil and how many fills are needed, if any.”

Reinforcements

“When soil conditions are good, you don’t have to have [reinforcements],” Kyne says. But when your concrete patio does need some added stability, you have options.

“If you reinforce, rebar’s going to be a little more expensive,” Kyne advises. “Wire mesh will be a little less than rebar and it’s a good product as well. Fiber mesh mixes into the concrete itself and is the cheapest option.”

Installation area

Pouring concrete requires specialized equipment — namely, a concrete mixer. If a pump truck can easily access the area you want to put your patio, it can help keep your costs as low as possible. The cost to pour a concrete patio goes up the harder the area gets to access. If the pump truck can’t reach it, the labor costs for your project can go up by as much as double.

Fancy extras

If you want to line or decorate your patio with stone or brick, it’ll look pretty, but cost you. Paving material can run to $7 to $10 per square foot.

Pre-existing concrete removal

Demolishing and hauling away your old concrete patio isn’t included in a new one’s installation costs. Unless you want to DIY this effort, expect to pay around $2–$6 per square foot to part with your old patio.

Maintenance/protection in winter

Weatherproofing your concrete patio helps to prevent cracks, which are pricey to repair (in the range of $300 per crack). You should reseal your patio every few years. Budget $3–$5 there.

Thickness

As you could probably guess, your concrete slab cost depends, at least in part, on the thickness of that slab. Most concrete patios are between 3.5–4 inches thick (the costs we outlined above apply to that standard thickness). Add more depth and expect to pay more for the extra material each square foot will require.

Can you DIY a concrete patio or should you hire a pro?

Sure, Pinterest and TikTok might make a DIY concrete patio look simple — and tempting if you’re trying to minimize your budget. After all, labor runs $50 to $100 per hour or about $5 to $15 per square foot for most patios, according to HomeAdvisor.

However, this is one project that certainly isn’t as easy as it may look: from cracking to slanting, there’s a lot that can go wrong with the end result. “It’s worth calling a pro,” Kyne says. “I would not recommend a DIY for people who have never poured any concrete before — unless they have someone there to help with some guidance.”

As you look for concrete contractors, vet at least three options. “Check on the contractors in your area for references,” Kyne advises. “If someone’s asking you for a deposit before they do any work, I would shy away from them. Make sure you have a reputable contractor doing it for you.”

If money’s really tight, a happy medium is to do most of the excavation and cleanup yourself, letting a pro do the hard stuff: prepping the base and mixing and pouring the cement.

Final word on installing a concrete patio costs

A concrete patio can give you a low-maintenance way to improve your outdoor space and enhance your home’s curb appeal. It’s affordable, yet very versatile.

As you budget for your project, get quotes from several trustworthy contractors. This will give you a clearer idea of your concrete patio cost based on your geographic location, the size and location of your patio and your preferred finish.