Short answer
A plain concrete patio usually costs about $4 to $12 per square foot installed, and stained or stamped finishes about $8 to $30, per 2025 and 2026 cost guides. Angi's 2026 national average is $3,557, with most projects between $1,919 and $5,394. Size, finish, site prep and local labor set the final price.
Key facts
- HomeGuide prices plain concrete patios at $4 to $12 per square foot installed and stamped concrete at $9 to $30 (July 2025).[1]
- Angi reports a 2026 national average of $3,557 for a concrete patio, with most projects between $1,919 and $5,394.[2]
- Removing an old concrete slab costs $2 to $6 per square foot, about $1,139 on average, per HomeAdvisor (June 2026).[6]
- NRMCA states that wire mesh will not prevent cracking; it tends to keep cracks and joints from opening up.[7]
Concrete patio cost per square foot, by source
| Source (date) | Plain concrete | Decorative | Project average or range |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomeGuide (Jul 2025) | $4 to $12 | $8 to $30 stained or stamped | 20x20: $1,600 to $4,800 plain[1] |
| Angi (2026) | $4 to $30 across finishes | Average $3,557; most $1,919 to $5,394[2] | |
| Lawn Love (Oct 2026) | $4 to $9 gray slab | Up to $26 overall | Average $2,925; most $1,580 to $4,465[3] |
| Homewyse (Sep 2026) | From $10.59 to $12.99, broom finish | Basic mid-range national estimate[4] | |
| Fixr (2022) | $6 to $17 poured | Stamped $15 to $30 | [5] |
Angi, HomeAdvisor and This Old House share one cost dataset, so we count them once. HomeGuide, Lawn Love, Homewyse and Fixr are separate. Fixr's page dates from 2022. We could not open Angi's page directly; its figures here come from Angi's own search listing.
Cost by patio size
HomeGuide's 2025 table[1]:
| Size | Plain concrete | Stained or stamped |
|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $400 to $1,200 | $800 to $3,000 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $600 to $1,700 | $1,150 to $4,300 |
| 15x20 (300 sq ft) | $1,200 to $3,600 | $2,400 to $9,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,600 to $4,800 | $3,200 to $12,000 |
| 30x30 (900 sq ft) | $3,600 to $10,800 | $7,200 to $27,000 |
Cost by finish
| Finish | Price per sq ft (HomeGuide, 2025)[1] |
|---|---|
| Plain or smooth trowel | $4 to $12 |
| Broom finish | $6 to $13 |
| Exposed aggregate | $7 to $18 |
| Stained | $8 to $25 |
| Stamped | $9 to $30 |
Stamped prices vary the most because pattern, number of colors and borders all change the labor. See stamped concrete cost for that breakdown.
Extra costs to plan for
| Item | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tear out an old slab | $2 to $6 per sq ft; about $1,139 average | HomeAdvisor (Jun 2026)[6] |
| Tear out an old slab | $2 to $6 per sq ft; about $1,300 average | Lawn Love (Oct 2026)[3] |
| Rebar or wire mesh | $1 to $3 per sq ft | HomeGuide (Jul 2025)[1] |
| 6 inch slab vs 4 inch | About $6.20 vs $5.35 per sq ft | Lawn Love (Oct 2026)[3] |
| Permit, where required | $50 to $400 | HomeGuide (Jul 2025)[1] |
HomeGuide estimates labor at 50% to 60% of the total[1]. Grading, poor drainage, slopes and tight access raise labor fast.
Myth: "Rebar or mesh prevents cracking"
Some cost guides say reinforcement "prevents cracking"[1]. The ready-mix industry's own guidance says otherwise. NRMCA states that wire mesh will not prevent cracking; it tends to keep cracks and joints from opening up[7]. NRMCA also says it is not possible to produce completely crack-free concrete[7].
What controls cracking is jointing. NRMCA's rules[7]:
- Space contraction joints no more than 24 to 36 times the slab thickness: about 10 feet for a 4 inch slab, and no more than 15 feet.
- Put isolation joints where the patio meets the house, steps, footings or other fixed points.
Reinforcement still has a job: holding cracked sections together and helping on weak soil. Pay for it with that goal in mind. See rebar vs wire mesh vs fiber and control joints and spacing.
Regional spread
Lawn Love notes that high cost-of-living metros pay more than the national average for both labor and materials[3]. Homewyse's calculator adjusts by ZIP code for the same reason[4]. Soil and climate matter too: soft, wet or clay soils often need more excavation and base, which local bids price in. Treat every national number here as a range check, not a quote.
Concrete vs pavers on price
Plain concrete is usually the cheaper patio. HomeGuide lists plain concrete at $4 to $12 per square foot and paver patios at $10 to $30[1]. Stamped concrete overlaps with pavers. Compare on our paver patio cost page.
How to compare concrete patio bids
- Slab thickness, base depth and base material in writing.
- Where the contraction and isolation joints will go, and how soon saw cuts will be made.
- Reinforcement type, and what it is for.
- Slope: which way water will run, and that it runs away from the house.
- Who handles tear-out, disposal and any permit.
When to call a pro
- The patio will butt against the house and grading is flat or slopes toward the foundation.
- The yard has standing water, a slope, or soft or clay soil.
- You plan a hot tub, outdoor kitchen or roof structure on the slab, which changes thickness and footing needs.
- You want two or three independent contractors to bid the same written spec.
More questions
Is it cheaper to pour a new patio over the old one?
Sometimes, but only if the old slab is sound, not sinking, and the added height still lets water drain away from the house. Otherwise the old slab has to come out, which HomeAdvisor prices at $2 to $6 per square foot [6].
How thick should a patio slab be?
Most cost guides price a 4 inch slab as standard and 6 inches for heavy loads such as a hot tub or outdoor kitchen [1]. Joint spacing follows thickness: NRMCA's example is about 10 feet for a 4 inch slab [7].
Sources
- Concrete Patio Cost (dated July 10, 2025), HomeGuide. Accessed 2026-10-06.
- How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost? [2026 Data] (figures read from the search listing; page blocked automated fetch), Angi. Accessed 2026-10-06.
- How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost in 2026? (updated October 5, 2026), Lawn Love. Accessed 2026-10-06.
- Cost to Install Concrete Patio (September 2026 estimate), Homewyse. Accessed 2026-10-06.
- Cost to Build a Patio (last modified August 2022), Fixr. Accessed 2026-10-06.
- Concrete Removal Cost (updated June 20, 2026), HomeAdvisor. Accessed 2026-10-06.
- CIP 6: Joints in Concrete Slabs on Grade, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. Accessed 2026-10-06.
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