Artistic Pavers Shellock typically costs about $8-$16 per square foot for pavers, with a professionally installed patio often totaling $18-$35 per square foot. The final price depends on project size, site preparation, delivery distance, pattern, labor rates, and whether the existing surface must be removed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shellock pavers | $8/sq ft | $12/sq ft | $16/sq ft | Material estimate; confirm current dealer pricing |
| Installed patio | $18/sq ft | $26/sq ft | $35/sq ft | Includes typical base and installation |
| 300-sq-ft project | $5,400 | $7,800 | $10,500 | Before unusual access or demolition charges |
What Shellock pavers cost for a typical patio
For budgeting, Shellock paver material is estimated at $8-$16 per square foot, while installation commonly brings the project total to $18-$35 per square foot. A 300-square-foot patio therefore runs roughly $5,400-$10,500, with about $7,800 as a middle estimate. These are planning ranges, not a published fixed price; Artistic Pavers dealers set actual product and freight quotes.
Assumptions: standard concrete paver installation, accessible backyard, ordinary excavation, and mid-range U.S. labor rates. The installed square-foot price is most useful when the quote includes base preparation, edge restraint, joint material, and cleanup.
How base work and paver labor shape the quote
Material is only one part of a hardscape estimate. Excavation depth, aggregate base, crew time, and delivery can materially change the total. The table gives typical planning allowances; actual line items depend on soil, access, local freight, and contractor scope.
| Quote component | Typical price | Basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shellock pavers | $8-$16 | Per sq ft | Dealer, color, availability |
| Base materials | $3-$7 | Per sq ft | Aggregate depth and soil |
| Installation labor | $7-$15 | Per sq ft | Pattern, cuts, crew access |
| Excavation and haul-away | $2-$8 | Per sq ft | Existing paving and disposal |
| Delivery and edging | $300-$1,200 | Per project | Distance and perimeter length |
Labor can also be assessed by time. A small crew may spend 2-4 days on a straightforward 300-square-foot patio, but complicated layouts take longer. Ask whether labor is priced per square foot or by crew hours, and confirm what preparation is included.
Which patio dimensions and site conditions raise Shellock prices?
Size affects both total cost and the efficiency of the crew. A 100-square-foot landing may carry a higher per-square-foot charge than a 500-square-foot patio because delivery, setup, and minimum labor charges are spread over less area. Projects above roughly 400-500 square feet may receive a lower installation rate per square foot, although the material bill rises with area.
Base requirements are another major variable. A well-drained site may need about 4-6 inches of compacted base, while soft or wet soil can require 8-12 inches or additional stabilization. Curves, stairs, drains, and many border cuts also add labor. For a useful comparison, provide contractors with the same measured area, slope, and excavation assumptions.
Is Shellock installation cheaper than replacing concrete?
Shellock pavers usually cost more upfront than a basic poured-concrete slab, which may run about $8-$18 per square foot installed for uncomplicated work. Standard concrete pavers often fall around $15-$30 per square foot installed, while specialty designs and extensive site work can exceed that range. A paver surface has individual units that can be lifted and reset; a cracked concrete slab may require a larger repair or replacement.
These comparisons are not one-for-one: drainage, finish, thickness, access, and demolition vary. If an existing patio has only a few settled areas, resetting or replacing affected pavers may cost less than removing the entire surface. Compare lifecycle needs and scope, not just the initial square-foot figure.
What three Shellock project quotes might look like
A basic 150-square-foot sitting area on level ground might total $3,300-$4,800, or about $22-$32 per square foot. That estimate assumes standard excavation, a simple layout, and no old paving removal.
A 300-square-foot rectangular patio with ordinary access could price at $6,000-$9,000, or $20-$30 per square foot. A larger 500-square-foot patio with a border, several cuts, and moderate grading might reach $11,000-$17,500, or $22-$35 per square foot. Each example is an installed planning estimate, not a Shellock dealer quote.
How Midwest, coastal, and high-cost markets shift the price
Labor and freight can make identical paver projects price differently across the United States. In lower-cost rural or Midwest markets, installation may land near the lower half of the national range. Dense coastal metros and high-cost Western markets can run about 15%-30% higher because of labor, access, disposal fees, and delivery costs. Remote locations may also pay more when products ship from outside the region.
Regional differences are not automatic: local contractor demand and site conditions matter more than a state label. Request at least two itemized bids from contractors serving the same area to separate regional labor rates from scope differences.
Which add-ons can push a Shellock patio beyond budget?
Removing concrete or old pavers commonly adds $2-$8 per square foot, depending on thickness, machinery access, and disposal. Steps, retaining edges, drainage channels, lighting conduits, and raised planters are usually quoted separately. A difficult side-yard route for moving materials can add crew hours even when the patio itself is simple.
Permit requirements depend on local rules and project details. Some jurisdictions require review for retaining walls, drainage changes, or work affecting a setback; basic ground-level paving may not require a permit. Have the contractor identify disposal, drainage, permits, and edge restraints as separate line items before approval.
How to reduce the Shellock price without cutting essentials
Keeping the design rectangular, limiting intricate borders, and avoiding unnecessary steps reduces cutting and installation time. Grouping a patio with other planned hardscape work may reduce repeated delivery or mobilization charges, but only if the combined scope is clearly itemized. Homeowners can also compare standard and premium color selections with local dealers and ask whether the requested finish is readily stocked.
Site clearing or removing loose furniture may help, but excavation and base compaction should remain within the contractor’s stated scope and specifications. Compare bids using the same square footage, base depth, paver selection, and disposal plan. The lowest quote is not comparable if it omits a stable base, edge restraint, or cleanup.