Patio budgets for 2026
A concrete patio costs $6–$12 per square foot installed for a standard broom-finish slab as of 2026. A typical 12×16 ft patio (192 sq ft) runs $1,152–$2,304, while a larger 20×20 (400 sq ft) costs $2,400–$4,800.
Decorative finishes like stamped or exposed aggregate add $4–$12/sq ft on top. Below, we break down patio costs by size, finish type, and region — with real numbers you can use to budget your project. Enter your patio dimensions in the concrete slab cost calculator.
Common patio sizes at 4 inches, broom finish, including labor and material
| Size | Area | Cost (Installed) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 | 100 sq ft | $600–$1,200 | Bistro set, small urban patio |
| 10×12 | 120 sq ft | $720–$1,440 | Small dining set (2–4 chairs) |
| 12×12 | 144 sq ft | $864–$1,728 | Compact seating area |
| 12×16 | 192 sq ft | $1,152–$2,304 | Dining table + grill zone |
| 14×16 | 224 sq ft | $1,344–$2,688 | Full dining + lounge |
| 16×16 | 256 sq ft | $1,536–$3,072 | Fire pit seating area |
| 16×20 | 320 sq ft | $1,920–$3,840 | Large dining + fire pit |
| 20×20 | 400 sq ft | $2,400–$4,800 | Full outdoor living room |
| 20×30 | 600 sq ft | $3,600–$7,200 | Multi-zone (dining + lounge + grill) |
Same 20×20 (400 sq ft) patio, different finishes
| Finish Type | Added Cost ($/sq ft) | Total Installed | Look & Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broom | $0 | $2,400–$4,800 | Textured, slip-resistant. Standard. |
| Smooth trowel | $1–$2 | $2,800–$5,600 | Sleek modern look, slippery when wet. |
| Stamped (single pattern) | $4–$8 | $4,000–$8,000 | Mimics stone/brick. Most popular upgrade. |
| Stamped (multi-pattern + color) | $8–$12 | $5,600–$9,600 | Custom patterns, integral color adds $2–$4. |
| Exposed aggregate | $2–$5 | $3,200–$6,800 | Pebbled texture, durable, slip-resistant. |
| Polished | $3–$6 | $3,600–$7,200 | Glossy finish, indoor-outdoor look. |
| Stained only | $2–$4 | $3,200–$6,400 | Acid stain on existing broom slab. |
Stamped concrete patios cost $10–$20/sq ft installed (base slab + stamping), roughly 40–60% more than a standard broom finish. The premium comes from three things:
Is it worth it? If your patio is visible from the street or you plan to sell within 5 years, stamped concrete adds curb appeal that appraisers notice. For a backyard-only patio nobody sees, save the money and go broom finish. See our full cost calculator for your specific patio.
20×20 ft (400 sq ft) patio
| Concrete (Broom) | Concrete (Stamped) | Pavers (Basic) | Pavers (Premium) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $2,400–$4,800 | $4,000–$8,000 | $4,000–$7,200 | $5,600–$10,000 |
| Per sq ft | $6–$12 | $10–$20 | $10–$18 | $14–$25 |
| Lifespan | 30–50 yrs | 25–40 yrs | 50+ yrs | 50+ yrs |
| Repair ease | Patch (visible) | Repour section | Replace individual pavers | Replace individual pavers |
| DIY potential | Low (400 sq ft) | None | Moderate | Moderate |
| Resale value | Good | High | High | Very high |
For most homeowners, broom-finish concrete wins on upfront cost. Stamped concrete competes directly with basic pavers on price and appearance. Pavers win on repairability — if a tree root heaves one paver, you lift it and reset it. If it heaves a concrete slab, you are cutting and patching or replacing the whole section.
4-inch broom finish regional ranges
| Region | Cost ($/sq ft) | 12×16 (192 sq ft) | 20×20 (400 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast (FL, GA, TX) | $6–$10 | $1,152–$1,920 | $2,400–$4,000 |
| Midwest (IL, OH, MI) | $6–$11 | $1,152–$2,112 | $2,400–$4,400 |
| West Coast (CA, WA) | $8–$13 | $1,536–$2,496 | $3,200–$5,200 |
| Northeast (NY, MA, NJ) | $9–$14 | $1,728–$2,688 | $3,600–$5,600 |
| Mountain (CO, UT) | $7–$12 | $1,344–$2,304 | $2,800–$4,800 |
If your yard is flat with good drainage, site prep is included in most quotes. Removing an existing patio or deck ($500–$1,500), regrading a sloped yard ($800–$2,000), removing large tree roots ($200–$600 per root), or adding a retaining wall ($30–$60/sq ft of wall) are change orders, not part of the base $6–$12/sq ft.
Patios need a 1/4" slope per foot away from the house. On lots where water already pools, you may need a French drain ($1,500–$5,000) or channel drain ($500–$1,200) — separate from the patio quote.
Most cities require a permit for patios over 200 sq ft or any patio attached to the house. Cost: $50–$300. If the contractor does not mention permits, ask — an unpermitted patio can become a problem when you sell.
The slab is only half the project. Budget separately for patio furniture ($500–$3,000+), landscaping around the patio ($500–$2,000), and lighting ($200–$800).
A 12×16 ft concrete patio (192 sq ft) costs $1,152–$2,304 with broom finish, or $1,920–$3,840 with stamped concrete. This size fits a dining table plus a grill comfortably. Get an exact estimate with our patio cost calculator.
Yes — concrete patios ($6–$12/sq ft) are significantly cheaper than wood decks ($15–$30/sq ft installed for pressure-treated; $25–$40/sq ft for composite). A 20×20 concrete patio at $3,600 is roughly half the cost of the same-size wood deck at $8,000. Concrete also lasts longer (30–50 years vs. 15–25 for wood) with less maintenance.
4 inches is standard for foot-traffic-only patios. If you plan to place a hot tub or outdoor kitchen on the patio, increase to 5–6 inches with rebar reinforcement under those areas. Tell your contractor during the quote phase — thickening a section after the pour is not possible.
A small patio (under 150 sq ft, like a 10×12) is DIY-able with a rented mixer and one helper. Over 200 sq ft, you need a crew of 3+ to manage the pour-and-finish window. See our DIY vs contractor cost comparison for a detailed breakdown by size.
30–50 years with proper installation and minimal maintenance. The #1 killer of concrete patios is water pooling — ensure your contractor builds in a 1/4" per foot slope away from the house. Re-seal every 2–3 years to protect against freeze-thaw damage.
Yes — a well-built concrete patio recovers 50–70% of its cost in home resale value, per remodeling industry data. Stamped concrete patios recover more (closer to 70%) because they are seen as a premium feature. The ROI is highest in warm climates where outdoor living is a year-round selling point.
Every patio is different. Enter your dimensions in our concrete slab cost calculator and get an instant cost breakdown by material, labor, and finish — no email, no signup, no contractor sales calls.
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