Cementing a patio usually means pouring a concrete slab, and most U.S. homeowners pay $6-$15 per square foot installed. A 400-square-foot patio commonly costs $2,400-$6,000, with thickness, finish, site preparation, access, and local labor rates driving the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed concrete patio | $6 per sq ft | $10 per sq ft | $15 per sq ft | Basic to standard finish; site preparation varies |
| 200-sq-ft patio | $1,200 | $2,000 | $3,000 | Small projects may have minimum charges |
| 400-sq-ft patio | $2,400 | $4,000 | $6,000 | Typical backyard size with standard access |
| 600-sq-ft patio | $3,600 | $6,000 | $9,000 | Does not include major demolition or premium finishes |
What a poured concrete patio costs by square foot
For a straightforward patio, contractors typically charge $6-$15 per square foot for excavation or grading, a compacted base, concrete, forming, placement, and a basic broom finish. A practical planning figure is about $10 per square foot, or $4,000 for 400 square feet. A simple project with easy access may fall near the low end; sloped ground, reinforced concrete, or decorative work can push it higher.
Most standard projects land between $2,400 and $6,000 for 400 square feet. These figures assume a 4-inch-thick slab, ordinary residential concrete, normal site access, and no major drainage correction. Costs can be higher in expensive metro areas or where a small job requires a minimum crew or concrete delivery charge.
“Cement” is an ingredient in concrete, not the finished patio material by itself. A patio quote usually covers ready-mix concrete, preparation, forms, placement, finishing, and cleanup. Ask whether the price includes excavation, base gravel, reinforcement, delivery, taxes, and disposal so estimates can be compared on equal terms.
Assumptions: U.S. pricing for a standard 4-inch slab, basic broom finish, average access, and no major utility or drainage complications.
How excavation, concrete, and labor shape the quote
Contractors may quote one installed rate or itemize each task. The ranges below are typical planning estimates, not fixed national prices; some line items are bundled, and project minimums can make a small patio cost more per square foot.
| Quote component | Typical price | What it covers | Cost conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excavation and grading | $1-$3 per sq ft | Removing soil and setting the patio grade | More for slopes, roots, or difficult access |
| Gravel base and compaction | $1-$3 per sq ft | Base aggregate and compacting labor | Depth and delivery distance affect price |
| Concrete and delivery | $3-$6 per sq ft | Ready-mix concrete, generally 4 inches thick | Small loads or long delivery routes can add fees |
| Forms, reinforcement, and finish | $1.50-$4 per sq ft | Formwork, basic mesh or reinforcement, placement, finish | Decorative finishes and more steel cost extra |
| Removal and disposal | $2-$6 per sq ft | Breaking up and hauling existing concrete | Separate charge when replacing a slab |
Labor is often included in the installed price rather than billed separately. When itemized, concrete crew labor commonly works out to roughly $40-$85 per worker-hour, though local rates and crew structure vary. A three-person crew working 8-12 hours at an effective $50-$75 per worker-hour represents about $1,200-$2,700 in labor before considering how the contractor allocates overhead.
Preparation and delivery can change a quote as much as the concrete itself. A truck that can reach the forms keeps placement simpler. If workers must wheelbarrow concrete a long distance, or a pump truck is needed, equipment and labor charges may rise by several hundred dollars or more.
How patio size and 4-inch versus 6-inch thickness change price
Area is the simplest cost driver: at $6-$15 per square foot, each additional 100 square feet adds about $600-$1,500. Larger pours often reduce the price per square foot because setup costs are spread across more area, although they require more concrete and may need a larger crew or multiple trucks.
Most patios use a 4-inch slab for ordinary foot traffic and outdoor furniture. A 6-inch slab can make sense for heavier loads or specific site conditions, but it uses about 50% more concrete than a 4-inch slab over the same area. Depending on reinforcement and labor, increasing thickness may add roughly $2-$5 per square foot. The contractor should explain the design basis rather than defaulting to extra thickness.
Shape also matters. A plain rectangle is easier to form than a curved layout or one with many corners, steps, or cutouts. Complex edges may add $1-$3 per square foot or be priced as a project-specific labor charge. Sloped yards may require excavation, retaining work, or a raised edge; those corrections can add $500-$3,000 or more depending on the height and extent of the work.
Measure the actual slab footprint, not just the intended furniture area. For example, a 12-by-16-foot patio is 192 square feet. At $8-$12 per square foot, its basic installed cost would be about $1,536-$2,304 before minimum charges, upgrades, or unusual site work.
Which concrete finishes add the most to a patio price?
A broom finish is usually the least expensive option and provides a textured surface. Standard color, exposed aggregate, stamped patterns, and custom borders add material and finishing time, so decorative pricing should be shown separately from the base slab rate.
| Finish or upgrade | Typical installed rate | Added cost on 400 sq ft | Price note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic broom finish | $6-$15 per sq ft total | Included in standard range | Common low-cost choice |
| Integral or surface color | +$2-$5 per sq ft | +$800-$2,000 | Color product and application affect price |
| Exposed aggregate | +$3-$8 per sq ft | +$1,200-$3,200 | Requires careful surface exposure and washing |
| Stamped concrete | +$6-$12 per sq ft | +$2,400-$4,800 | Pattern, color, borders, and sealing add labor |
| Sealer | $0.50-$2 per sq ft | $200-$800 | May be optional or included with decorative work |
Stamped concrete can bring a 400-square-foot patio to about $4,800-$10,800 when the base slab and decorative upgrade are combined. Small, detailed patterns or multiple colors may exceed that range. A stain applied after curing is a different process from integral color, and a quote should specify which method is included.
Reinforcement and drainage also deserve clear descriptions. Wire mesh or rebar may add roughly $0.50-$2 per square foot, depending on material and placement. A properly sloped patio is important for runoff; adding a drain, channel, or significant grading can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars. Do not assume a decorative finish solves drainage problems.
How many crew hours does a backyard slab require?
A small, uncomplicated patio may take a crew 1-2 days for excavation, base preparation, forms, and the pour, with additional time for curing before normal use. A 400-square-foot project often takes about 2-4 working days spread across preparation and placement; weather, inspection schedules, and access can extend the calendar time. Decorative stamping generally requires tight coordination during the pour and may need more skilled finishers.
Concrete delivery is often priced by the cubic yard, with ready-mix commonly around $125-$200 per cubic yard before delivery surcharges and local variation. A 400-square-foot slab at 4 inches thick requires about 4.9 cubic yards before allowance for waste; a contractor may order around 5-5.5 yards. Minimum-load fees, short-load charges, or a second delivery can add about $100-$500 or more.
Ask how the contractor handles curing and weather delays. Concrete can be walked on after a short initial cure in many conditions, but heavy furniture and full service strength take longer. The quote should state who protects the fresh slab from rain, heat, or freezing temperatures and whether any return visit for sealing is included.
Why patio quotes differ between U.S. regions
Labor, concrete supply, disposal fees, and contractor demand vary by market. As a broad comparison, quotes in high-cost coastal metros can run about 15%-30% above a national baseline, while some rural markets may be 10%-20% below it. These are directional differences, not guaranteed regional rates; local access, material supply, and season can outweigh the location adjustment.
Climate and ground conditions affect preparation. Freeze-thaw areas may require attention to drainage, base depth, and concrete mix; expansive soils or poor drainage can increase excavation and stabilization costs. In hot regions, scheduling and curing protection may be important. A 400-square-foot basic patio that prices near $4,000 in a moderate-cost market could therefore receive a quote around $3,200-$4,800 elsewhere before decorative work or difficult site conditions.
Permits are not required for every patio, but rules differ by city and project details. A permit or plan review may cost roughly $50-$500 where required; retaining walls, drainage changes, or work near property lines can trigger additional requirements. The homeowner should verify local rules and confirm whether the contractor includes permit fees, inspections, or code-related work in the estimate.
Compare local bids rather than applying a national average as a promise. For a useful comparison, provide each contractor with the same dimensions, finish, slab thickness, access notes, and photos of the site. Request an itemized description of base preparation and drainage so a low bid does not simply omit necessary work.
Three patio quotes for different sizes and finishes
The following examples show how scope changes the total. They assume average U.S. labor and ordinary site access; actual estimates depend on local prices and site inspection.
| Project | Scope and unit rate | Estimated total | Included assumptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small plain patio | 200 sq ft at $9-$13 per sq ft | $1,800-$2,600 | 4-inch slab, broom finish, minor grading |
| Mid-size stamped patio | 400 sq ft at $12-$24 per sq ft | $4,800-$9,600 | Stamped pattern, color, standard base and access |
| Large replacement slab | 600 sq ft at $10-$18 per sq ft, plus removal | $7,200-$14,400 | New broom-finished slab and old concrete disposal |
A 200-square-foot job may carry a minimum mobilization charge, so its per-square-foot rate can exceed that of a larger pour. The 600-square-foot replacement example includes a higher rate range because demolition and hauling add work; heavy, thick, or reinforced old concrete may cost more to break up and remove.
Check that every example or bid identifies the same inclusions. A quote that excludes demolition, gravel, reinforcement, pump rental, or finish sealer cannot be compared directly with an all-in price. Ask for the final total with tax and delivery included where applicable.
When old concrete repair costs less than a new patio
If an existing slab is structurally sound and has only minor surface wear or a small crack, repair may be cheaper than replacement. Crack filling or patching often costs about $200-$800 for limited work; resurfacing may run $3-$8 per square foot, or roughly $1,200-$3,200 for 400 square feet. Resurfacing is not appropriate for slabs with major movement, widespread cracking, or drainage failures.
Replacing a patio typically involves demolition and disposal in addition to the new slab. Removal commonly adds $2-$6 per square foot, making a 400-square-foot replacement roughly $3,200-$8,400 at the basic installed range, before difficult demolition or premium finishes. If the concrete has settled significantly, determine why before pouring a new slab over or beside it.
Stone pavers are another option, often around $10-$25 per square foot installed, depending on the product, pattern, base, and labor. Pavers can be easier to repair in small areas, while poured concrete creates a continuous surface. Comparing lifecycle needs, drainage, and expected appearance is more useful than comparing the initial price alone.
Which scope choices can lower the concrete patio bill?
Keep the design rectangular, choose a standard broom finish, and avoid decorative borders or multiple colors if the budget is tight. These choices reduce forming and finishing time without reducing the patio’s basic function. Combining nearby concrete work into one scheduled pour can also help spread delivery and crew mobilization costs, provided the combined project does not create unnecessary square footage.
Complete simple site preparation only when the contractor approves it and the work can be done safely. Clearing furniture, plants, and loose debris may reduce labor, but excavation, grading, base compaction, and form setting affect drainage and slab performance. A poorly prepared base can lead to cracking or settlement that costs more to address later.
Compare at least three written, scope-matched quotes before choosing an installer. Ask each bidder to list square footage, slab thickness, concrete strength or mix specification, reinforcement, base depth, finish, removal, drainage, delivery fees, and warranty terms. Clarify change-order rates and payment schedule, and avoid paying the entire amount before the work is completed.
Timing can help when contractors have open capacity, but weather and concrete supply still constrain scheduling. A flexible start date may make it easier to avoid rush charges, while urgent work or a narrow access window can increase the quote. The most dependable savings usually come from controlling the design and confirming inclusions, not from omitting base preparation or drainage work needed for the site.