Pavers typically cost $12-$30 per square foot installed, while a pressure-treated wood deck often costs $25-$50 per square foot. For a 300-square-foot project, that puts pavers around $3,600-$9,000 and a basic wood deck around $7,500-$15,000; elevation, site preparation, materials, and local labor drive the difference.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paver patio, installed | $12 per sq ft | $20 per sq ft | $30 per sq ft | Ground-level concrete or standard pavers |
| Pressure-treated wood deck | $25 per sq ft | $37 per sq ft | $50 per sq ft | Basic framing and railing; elevated sites cost more |
| 300-sq-ft paver patio | $3,600 | $6,000 | $9,000 | Assumes ordinary access and drainage |
| 300-sq-ft wood deck | $7,500 | $11,100 | $15,000 | Pressure-treated lumber, typical build |
Assumptions: U.S. midrange pricing, standard materials, no major demolition or unusual grading.
Installed Prices for a 300-Square-Foot Patio or Deck
Pavers usually have the lower starting price when the project is ground-level. A paver patio commonly runs $12-$30 per square foot installed, with a national-style midpoint near $20. Basic concrete pavers tend toward the low end; thicker, textured, or premium stone-look products and elaborate patterns raise the total.
A pressure-treated wood deck typically costs $25-$50 per square foot, or roughly $7,500-$15,000 for 300 square feet. The estimate generally includes a framed platform and standard decking, but stairs, guardrails, difficult access, or an attached ledger can change the scope. Cedar often adds about $5-$15 per square foot over basic treated lumber. Assumptions: a simple rectangular layout and ordinary soil or framing conditions.
What Paver Base and Deck Framing Add to the Quote
Material cost is only part of either estimate. Pavers need excavation, a compacted base, edge restraint, and joint sand; decks need structural posts, joists, fasteners, and often stairs or rails. Ask contractors to separate these tasks so a low quote does not conceal missing preparation.
| Quote component | Paver patio range | Wood deck range | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4-$12 per sq ft | $8-$18 per sq ft | Paver grade, lumber species, hardware |
| Labor | $5-$12 per sq ft | $10-$22 per sq ft | Pattern detail, height, crew access |
| Base or framing | $2-$6 per sq ft | $4-$10 per sq ft | Base depth, footing count, span |
| Removal and disposal | $2-$6 per sq ft | $3-$8 per sq ft | Existing slab, deck, or spoil volume |
| Rails, steps, edging | $5-$25 per linear ft | $20-$80 per linear ft | Design, code requirements, finish |
Labor and structural preparation explain much of the price gap. Paver installation labor may be about $50-$100 per worker-hour, while carpentry crews commonly charge $60-$110 per worker-hour; bids are often presented as a project price rather than hourly billing.
How Height, Drainage, and Material Grade Shift Costs
Elevation is a major comparison point. A patio that sits on prepared ground avoids the posts, beams, and guardrails required by a raised deck. Once a deck is more than 30 inches above grade, guardrails are commonly required under residential codes, and stairs or landings can add hundreds to several thousand dollars depending on design and local rules.
For pavers, weak soil, slopes, or poor drainage can require deeper excavation, geotextile fabric, retaining work, or a thicker base. A standard base may be around 4-6 inches; vehicle-rated or unstable-soil applications can need more. For decks, joist spans, footing depth, and attachment details change with height and load. Confirm the exact finished height and drainage plan before comparing bids.
Regional Labor Rates and Access Can Change the Estimate
Urban markets with high wages and limited contractor availability may price 10%-25% above a typical national estimate; lower-cost rural markets can come in roughly 5%-15% below it. These are planning differences, not guaranteed regional quotes. Local material supply, code requirements, and season also matter.
Narrow side yards, stairs to the backyard, or long wheelbarrow routes increase labor for both projects. Pavers can be especially sensitive to moving heavy base aggregate, while elevated decks may need materials carried or lifted to the work area. Request an access allowance or site visit rather than relying on a price per square foot alone.
Three Comparable Quotes for Common Backyard Projects
These examples show how project scope changes the comparison. They assume standard access and exclude major landscaping, taxes, and unusual engineering.
| Project | Scope and unit rate | Typical total |
|---|---|---|
| Small paver patio | 200 sq ft at $16-$24 per sq ft | $3,200-$4,800 |
| Mid-size treated deck | 300 sq ft at $30-$45 per sq ft; rails on two sides | $9,000-$13,500 |
| Large paver patio with removal | 450 sq ft at $18-$29 per sq ft, including basic old-surface removal | $8,100-$13,050 |
Compare the same usable area and included features, not just the headline total. A deck quote with stairs and railings is not directly comparable to a ground-level patio quote without edging or demolition.
Installation Time and Removal Fees to Budget For
A straightforward 200-300-square-foot paver patio may take a crew of three or four about 2-5 workdays, including excavation and base placement. A similar wood deck may take a three-person crew around 4-8 workdays, with extra time for stairs, complex framing, or inspection delays. Weather and contractor schedules can extend either timeline.
Old concrete or an existing deck can add roughly $2-$8 per square foot for removal and disposal, depending on thickness, fasteners, landfill fees, and equipment access. Delivery charges may also apply to stone, lumber, or aggregate. Ask whether the estimate includes hauling, cleanup, and restoration of disturbed lawn.
Five-Year Upkeep Favors Pavers in Many Comparisons
Pressure-treated decks often need cleaning and resealing or staining every 2-3 years; professional work can cost about $1-$3 per square foot per visit, while DIY materials cost less. Boards may also need replacement after damage or long-term exposure. Cedar may require more frequent finish attention than some treated lumber.
Pavers usually need occasional joint-sand replacement, cleaning, or leveling. Spot repairs can cost around $150-$600, while broader resetting can run $5-$15 per square foot. Pavers are easier to repair in sections, but settling, weeds, and drainage issues still require attention. Include upkeep and likely repairs when comparing the initial price.
Where to Save Without Cutting Essential Preparation
Keep the footprint rectangular, limit curves and inlaid patterns, and choose standard paver sizes or pressure-treated lumber. Avoid paying for deck height, premium finishes, or decorative borders unless they solve a specific use or design need. For either project, clearing movable furniture and vegetation beforehand can reduce crew time, but excavation and structural work should remain in the contractor’s scope.
Get at least three itemized bids based on the same dimensions, material grade, removal needs, and finish details. Ask whether a smaller patio or a repaired deck can meet the intended use. Do not save money by accepting a thinner paver base, undersized deck framing, or omitted drainage work. Those shortcuts can lead to settlement, water damage, or premature repairs.