How Much Does A Patio Cost

A patio will always be a great addition to any home. It can be used almost for every activity outdoors including entertaining guests, relaxing, dining with family, and so much more. Despite being a simple addition, it basically can level up the whole family's outdoor living experience. And take note, you can build a patio no matter how much your budget is because there is always one kind of patio that will meet whatever your financial capacity is.

The Cost Of A Patio

The cost of building a patio ranges from $5 to $30 per square foot or $1,000 to $6,000 for a 10x20 patio.

The lower end of the price range refers to concrete patios while the higher end refers to natural stone patios. The inclusions in the estimate include materials for the patio and labor from a professional contractor from site preparation to building the patio.

Factors Affecting The Cost Of A Patio

Material. One of the greatest factors determining the cost of building a patio is the material. Take a look at the estimate per square foot of building a patio on various materials:

  • concrete (around $5 per square foot)
  • concrete pavers ($10 to $20 per square foot)
  • stamped concrete ($8 to $20 per square foot)
  • brick (around $7 to $15 per square foot)
  • natural stone like bluestone and flagstone ($15 to $30 per square foot)

Size. Most contractors price patio construction per square foot. Hence, the size of the patio is a very great cost factor. Take a look at the price difference of a concrete patio depending on the size using the same concrete material. Notice how the price per square foot oftentimes goes cheaper as the size of the patio increases.

  • 10x20 feet ($1,000 to $2,000)
  • 80x20 feet ($4,000 to $6,000)
  • 100x 100 feet ($5,000 to $10,000)

Approach. The above-mentioned price quotes refer to hiring a professional to do the patio for you. However, patios can be a DIY project as well. If you do the project yourself, you'll end up saving on the cost of labor. If professional brick patio installation starts at $7, you'll end up spending around $2 to $3 per square foot only for a DIY brick patio project. Pouring and forming your own concrete patio can land you a project that is worth $0.50 to $1 per square foot instead of paying at least $5 per square foot with a professional contractor.

Design. A patio is usually a rectangular surface. However, if you try to make the design more complicated, the price of the patio can get more expensive. Besides the physical design of the patio, the design of the material can also affect prices. For instance, a stamped concrete with basic design for a patio will only cost you $7 to $12 per square foot. On the other hand, stamped concrete with elaborate details can go up to $20 per square foot.

Location. The cost of materials for the patio varies depending on geographical location. Hence, your area of residence can greatly affect prices here. The same is true for the cost of labor in your area. Depending on the cost of living and local competitions, the cost of hiring a contractor can be high or low.

Additional Costs

Patio covers is often essential to make the patio usable all day round. There are a lot of options for patio covers including large outdoor umbrellas, canopies, gazebos, and awnings. The price of patio covers depends on which type you choose. Outdoor umbrellas are the cheapest since they can be purchased for around $50 or even less. Other options can go from $300 to $10,000.

Screening the patio is also popular to make the outdoor space more private. Screens can also prevent insects and other outdoor elements from bothering you with your stay in the patio. Screening costs depend on the size of your patio and the quality of the material you choose.

Furnishing the patio with furniture and accessories will also be an added cost. This can include a dining set, a lounge chair, a barbecue, lighting, or any other element you wish to include in your patio. Plants may also be an added expense. Depending on how you are using the patio, furnishing it can add $200 to $5,000 or even more to the cost of building a patio.

For DIY projects, you may need to purchase tools for the site preparation and the construction. In some cases, the area for the patio needs to be leveled with sand or gravel. Purchasing these materials will cost you extra.

Patio construction Photo by tristanf

Tips Before You Decide To Build A Patio

There are a lot of things you have to consider when building a patio. First is the location. Take note that a patio is not always tucked at the back of your home. You can consider a stand-alone patio even in the middle of your yard depending on how you plan to use it. If you want to make use of the shade offered by a tree, building a patio near it is a good idea. On the other hand, if you want to take advantage of the sun all day long, you can consider a patio standing alone in the middle of your garden.

Know what your needs are in a patio especially on how you plan to use it. This will help you pick a good design plan for the patio and will help you come up with a good size for the project. The patio can be a complete outdoor living area with cooking equipment, comfy setting, fireplace, and even a built-in bar. On the other hand, it can be a small and simple outdoor space with a lounge chair and a coffee table. To avoid confusions in the end, better make up your mind when it comes to the design and size of your patio.

Design the patio wisely. It must have a color and design that blends well with your landscape and your home's exterior. If you are hiring a professional contractor, have them sketch the design for you so you can see what the end product will look like.

A patio is basically a simple home improvement project. However, it still involves some skills, knowledge, and experiences. So if you are thinking about doing the project yourself, make sure you can offer what is needed from you by the project. You can check out step-by-step DIY articles on successfully building a patio even without the help of professionals.

If you are hiring a contractor, make sure you get price estimates from at least three different contractors. Compare their designs, services, and their prices. Check out as well the reputation and credibility of the contractor in question. You may ask for references so you can evaluate previous works of the contractors. Also, don’t forget to get only a contractor that is licensed and insured.

Make sure to have everything in writing including the prices, inclusions in the estimate, payment terms, start date, estimated finish date, and the like.

Save Money On Patio Construction With Contractors

Even if you are hiring a contractor, it does not mean that the patio will always be an expensive project. Here are some things to keep in mind to help you save money even when you hire contractors for building your patio:

  • Find the perfect location. If you can find a location in your property that does not require a lot of preparation work, the better. Site preparation can always increase labor costs. For instance, removing a tree to give way for the patio is not just practical if you want to save money. The same is true for areas with poor drainage. You don't want to spend more money correcting drainage issues just for the patio.

  • Do some of the tasks yourself. If you do some of the preparation work yourself, the contractors will save time and so the labor costs can go lower. Move flower gardens, furniture, and other components to clear the path for the contractor's equipment. You don't actually have to do everything yourself. Just do some of the simple jobs and leave the hard preparation tasks to the contractor.

  • Choose good materials. It is very easy to pay too much for a patio with the wrong choice of materials. Ask the contractor about possible material options for your patio that can meet the goals and styles you are looking for. With this, it will be easier for you to make comparisons depending on price.