Exposed aggregate concrete typically costs $8-$18 per sq. ft. installed, with many standard residential jobs averaging about $12 per sq. ft. Final price depends on project size, aggregate selection, site preparation, access, labor rates, and whether old concrete must be removed.
For budgeting, the ranges below describe exposed aggregate concrete, where stones in the mix are revealed at the surface. Plain concrete containing aggregate but without an exposed finish is usually less expensive.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed exposed aggregate concrete | $8 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | $18 per sq. ft. | New residential flatwork, normal access |
| 400-sq.-ft. patio | $3,200 | $4,800 | $7,200 | Includes placement and exposed finish |
| 600-sq.-ft. driveway | $4,800 | $7,200 | $10,800 | Assumes typical residential thickness |
| Removal of existing concrete | $2 per sq. ft. | $4 per sq. ft. | $8 per sq. ft. | Separate charge, often affected by disposal |
Typical exposed aggregate concrete prices per square foot
Most contractors quote exposed aggregate as a complete installed price, commonly $8-$18 per sq. ft. A basic project with a straightforward shape, standard local stone, and open access may fall near $8-$11 per sq. ft. Midrange work often runs $11-$14, while decorative mixes, complex borders, smaller jobs, or difficult access can reach $15-$18 or more.
A practical planning figure is about $12 per sq. ft. for a standard new installation. At that rate, a 300-sq.-ft. walkway or patio is about $3,600 before unusual site work; a 1,000-sq.-ft. driveway is about $12,000. Smaller projects can have a higher unit price because mobilization, setup, and finishing take nearly as much coordination as they do on a larger pour.
These estimates assume a typical residential slab around 4 inches thick, a prepared and reasonably level base, ordinary reinforcement where needed, and a standard exposed finish. A 5- or 6-inch vehicle slab, substantial grading, retaining work, drainage changes, or premium colored aggregate can push the quote above the typical range. Assumptions: U.S. residential pricing, standard materials, normal access, and no major demolition or soil correction.
How concrete, finishing labor, and equipment shape the quote
The installed price combines concrete and decorative stone with site work, placement, exposure, and finishing. Exact line items vary by contractor; some bids bundle labor and equipment into one rate. The ranges below are approximate shares translated into cost per square foot for a typical $12-per-sq.-ft. job.
| Quote component | Typical range | What it covers | Common price effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete and aggregate materials | $3-$6 per sq. ft. | Concrete mix, selected stone, and reinforcing materials | Special stone or colored mix raises material cost |
| Base preparation and placement labor | $2-$5 per sq. ft. | Forming, grading, placing, and screeding | Uneven ground or tight access adds labor |
| Exposed-finish labor | $2-$4 per sq. ft. | Retarder application, washing, and surface detailing | Timing and consistent exposure require skilled work |
| Equipment and delivery | $1-$3 per sq. ft. | Concrete delivery, small tools, pumps, or machine time | Long pours or pump access increase charges |
| Permits and disposal | $0-$4 per sq. ft. | Local permit fees or removal and hauling when required | Often excluded from a new-slab base quote |
Costs do not always appear as separate entries. A contractor may quote one installed rate, then list demolition, pumping, or permit fees as extras. Ask whether the estimate includes excavation, compacted base, reinforcement, control joints, cleanup, sealer, and sales tax where applicable.
Finishing labor is a distinct cost because the aggregate must be exposed evenly without washing away or damaging the surface. A useful labor estimate can be expressed as ; residential concrete crews may bill or price labor equivalent to roughly $50-$100 per worker-hour, though many contractors price the job rather than disclose an hourly rate.
Which slab thickness, stone size, and site conditions raise prices?
Thickness is a major cost driver. A 4-inch slab is common for patios and walkways, while driveways may need 4-6 inches depending on vehicles, soil, and local practice. Moving from 4 to 6 inches uses about 50% more concrete by volume, though the full installed price does not rise by 50% because labor, forming, and mobilization remain partly fixed. The increase may add roughly $1-$3 per sq. ft.
Aggregate type changes both the material price and the appearance. Common locally available stone is usually least expensive. Rounded river rock, imported stone, unusual colors, and carefully graded decorative blends can add about $1-$4 per sq. ft. Small exposed stones can produce a finer texture; larger stones may require a particular mix and more controlled finishing. Confirm the sample in daylight because stone color can look different once wet or sealed.
Project size and layout also matter. A simple 800-sq.-ft. rectangle typically costs less per square foot than a 150-sq.-ft. landing with curves, steps, or narrow access. Jobs under roughly 200 sq. ft. may incur a minimum charge or higher unit rate. Slopes above about 5%, poor soil, drainage correction, or a pour more than 50-100 feet from truck access can mean extra grading, pumping, or hand transport.
Ask the estimator to state slab thickness, reinforcement, stone blend, and finish method in writing. Two bids that both say “exposed aggregate” may describe different specifications, making their totals difficult to compare. A change in base depth or reinforcement can be justified by site conditions, but it should be identified rather than hidden in a vague allowance.
What regional concrete rates mean for a U.S. budget
Labor, ready-mix delivery, aggregate supply, and disposal costs differ by market. In lower-cost rural areas and parts of the Midwest or South, a straightforward installation may land about 5%-15% below a national midpoint. High-cost metros in the Northeast, West Coast, and some mountain markets can run 15%-30% above it, especially where labor is scarce or access is restricted.
For a 500-sq.-ft. patio using the $12-per-sq.-ft. national planning figure, the baseline is $6,000. A 10% lower-market adjustment suggests about $5,400; a 20% higher-market adjustment suggests about $7,200. These are comparison estimates, not regional guarantees. Local concrete dispatch fees, minimum loads, fuel surcharges, and seasonal crew availability can outweigh broad regional averages.
Rural projects may pay less per labor hour but more for delivery if the plant is distant or the site needs a partial load. In dense urban areas, parking restrictions, street permits, limited truck access, and pump placement can increase costs. Use local quotes for the final budget, and compare the same slab size, thickness, stone, and included prep.
Weather and seasonal demand can affect scheduling more than the base price. Spring and early summer often bring a backlog in regions with short outdoor construction seasons. Cold-weather protection, heat management, rain delays, or a rushed date may add charges or raise the risk of finish problems. Contractors should explain any weather-related measures included in the bid.
How many labor hours does an aggregate concrete pour take?
A small, uncomplicated patio may take a crew of three to five workers several hours to form and pour, with additional time for washing and finishing. A 500- to 800-sq.-ft. residential project may require roughly 20-40 total crew labor-hours across preparation and placement, plus return visits or monitoring during the exposure process. A larger driveway can take one or more workdays depending on access, reinforcement, and the number of pours.
Exposed aggregate is time-sensitive. The crew must place and finish the concrete, apply or account for a surface retarder, and wash the paste at the correct point in the curing process. Too early a wash can dislodge stone; too late a wash can make exposure difficult and uneven. Labor rates for concrete trades may equate to $50-$100 per worker-hour, but crew size, equipment, and contractor overhead shape the actual bid.
Preparation may take longer than the visible pour. Removing vegetation, shaping the subgrade, compacting gravel, setting forms, and arranging drainage can occupy a day or more on a challenging site. Ask how many workdays are planned and when the surface can be walked or driven on. Foot traffic commonly requires at least 24-48 hours, while vehicle use may need about 7 days or longer, depending on mix, weather, and contractor guidance.
When demolition, pumping, sealing, and drainage are extra
Removing an existing slab commonly adds $2-$8 per sq. ft. for breaking, loading, hauling, and disposal. Thick concrete, mesh or rebar, limited machine access, and high local dump fees can push the charge higher. If only part of a slab is removed, ask whether the contractor has a minimum demolition fee; a small removal may cost more per square foot than a full driveway.
Concrete pumping can add roughly $500-$1,500 for a residential job, depending on equipment, setup, distance, and minimum charges. It may be unnecessary when the truck can reach the forms directly, but narrow side yards, fenced backyards, or elevated work can make a pump the practical option. Delivery surcharges or short-load fees may also apply when the concrete order is below the supplier’s minimum economical load.
Sealer may cost about $0.50-$1.50 per sq. ft. when included or applied separately, depending on product and preparation. It can help limit staining and protect the surface, but it does not eliminate maintenance. Drainage work, extra gravel, soil correction, steps, borders, and color additives can add further charges. Request separate prices for optional upgrades instead of accepting one bundled allowance.
Permit rules are local. A patio may not need a permit in some jurisdictions, while a driveway connection, drainage change, retaining structure, or work in a public right-of-way may require approval. Fees can range from no charge to several hundred dollars, and inspections or engineering requirements may add expense. The property owner and contractor should confirm responsibility before the pour is scheduled.
Three sample quotes for patios, walks, and driveways
The examples below show how size and scope change the total. They use illustrative midrange U.S. pricing rather than fixed national quotes. Each assumes ordinary residential access and no major soil repair; local labor and material costs can shift the result.
| Project | Specs and labor | Rate | Illustrative total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small patio | 250 sq. ft., 4-inch slab, standard stone, about 18 crew-hours | $13 per sq. ft. | $3,250 |
| Walkway and landing | 120 sq. ft., curved forms, standard stone, about 14 crew-hours | $17 per sq. ft. | $2,040 |
| Two-car driveway | 700 sq. ft., 5-inch slab, upgraded stone, about 42 crew-hours | $15 per sq. ft. | $10,500 |
The patio rate includes a simple layout but not old-slab removal. The walkway rate is higher per square foot because it is small and has curved forms. The driveway rate reflects thicker concrete and a more decorative aggregate blend. If the driveway also needs demolition at $4 per sq. ft., add approximately $2,800, bringing the example to about $13,300 before any permit or drainage work.
Compare the line-item scope, not just the final total. Check whether each quote includes base preparation, reinforcement, control joints, exposure washing, sealer, cleanup, and disposal. For labor, compare the planned crew and schedule as well as the quoted rate; a low estimate that omits finishing or removal may not represent the same job.
Lower the exposed aggregate price without weakening the slab
Keep the shape simple and group related work into one mobilization. A rectangular patio or driveway generally needs less formwork than multiple curves, narrow bands, and separate small pours. Combining a walkway with a patio may reduce repeated delivery or setup charges, provided the schedule and design allow one coordinated pour.
Choose a locally available aggregate and request a sample before specifying a premium imported blend. Standard stone can provide the exposed texture at a lower material cost, while color additives and elaborate borders can be reserved for a small accent area. Avoid reducing slab thickness or reinforcement solely to lower the bid; those decisions should reflect intended use, soil, and local requirements.
Do basic site preparation only when the contractor agrees it is appropriate. Clearing light vegetation or moving patio furniture may help, but excavation, grading, and compaction need to meet the specified base depth. Poorly prepared soil can contribute to cracking or settlement and may cost more to correct later. Ask which preparation tasks are safe for the owner to handle and how the contractor will verify the base.
Get at least three written quotes using identical dimensions and specifications. Request separate prices for demolition, pump rental, sealer, upgraded stone, and drainage so optional items do not obscure the base installation rate. Schedule before peak demand when practical, but do not choose a contractor based on price alone if the quote excludes crucial preparation or finish work.
Repair may be less expensive than replacing an entire slab when damage is limited and the base remains stable. Small edge repairs or surface treatment might cost a few hundred dollars to around $1,500, but patching rarely reproduces the look of exposed aggregate exactly. If the slab has widespread cracking, settlement, or drainage failure, a new installation may provide a more predictable long-term result than repeated repairs.