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How Much Is A Concrete Patio Slab

Additional Considerations And Costs

How to Pour a Concrete backyard Patio Slab [Beginner Guide]
  • Make sure you clean your stamped concrete patio regularly to help prevent stains.
  • This project should be done by professionals, and is not recommended for DIY due to the nature of the concrete.
  • Always get at least three estimates when hiring a landscaper for this project. Compare costs, ask to see their portfolio, and find someone who is genuinely interested in the project.
  • You can save money on this project by mixing sections of stamped concrete with plain concrete, such as using a stamped border around the perimeter of a slab patio.
  • Some stamped concrete patios can be slippery when wet. These are not recommended for use in very rainy climates.

Why Use Decorative Concrete Pavement

To compare, brick pavement costs $15-20 per square foot. Pavement made of cobble stone, slate, or marble costs $17-28 per square foot.

Another huge benefit is that concrete pavement requires minimal maintenance compared to other materials.

To achieve a custom look, contractors use various types of colors such as stains and powered pigments, and combine them with an array of patterns and textures. Only your imagination is the limit to the type of design that can be achieved with concrete. Many homeowners add unique stencils such as leaves, trees, flowers, animals, symbols, etc. If you are not sure what you would like, a professional concrete installer will have a portfolio of at least 40-50 patterns and 50-60 colors to choose from.

One way to save money on this project is to use plain concrete for the large portion of the driveway, patio or deck, and use stamped concrete for accents and borders.


If you already have a concrete driveway and or another area, its possible to enhance the way it looks by adding a decorative concrete overlay on top. The average cost of this overlay starts at $3-5 per square foot, but can go up to as much as $12-15 per square foot depending on the complexity of colors and patterns you want.

Keep in mind that applying a decorative concrete overlay is only recommended if your existing concrete pavement is in good condition, without major cracks and dents.

How Much Does Concrete Edging Cost

Your patio will need to be edged by hand, because the molds that are used dont bend, fold, or otherwise allow themselves to be used in any way other than completely flat. This means that the molds will be used as close as they can get to the edge, but then your installer will need to continue edging the concrete by hand. This cost can vary a lot depending on the pattern, the shape of the patio, and whether there is a border. Edging is usually priced separately from the rest of the patio, at a cost of around $6 per linear foot on average.

Also Check: Building A Deck Over Concrete Patio


Concrete Slab On Grade

Slab on grade refers to a concrete slab that’s used as a foundation for a structure. The slab is created from a mold built into the ground thats reinforced with rebar and wire mesh. The frame is constructed from wood, and the concrete and aggregate are poured into the mold to harden.

The three types of concrete slab on grade are:

  • Slab on the ground slab with concrete beams around the perimeter
  • Stiffened raft slab slab with concrete beams set in a grid throughout the slab
  • Waffle raft slab above ground slab poured over polystyrene void forms.

Labor Cost For Concrete Slab

How to Pour Your Own Concrete Patio Slab

The cost of labor to pour concrete is $45 per hour. There can also be a delivery fee of $60. To have concrete poured and finished, it will cost $2.52 to $2.60 per square foot for the labor, and $2.83 to $3.57 per square foot for the concrete itself. Concrete slabs are poured either off or on the job site. Smaller slabs, such as the hot tub base can easily be poured offsite and then delivered to your home. Larger slabs, such as a driveway, are poured onsite.

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Concrete Patio Vs Pavers

While concrete pavers cost around $5 to $10 per square foot, it is a very manually intensive task resulting in more than 50% of the project cost coming from the labor costs. While both concrete and pavers need a good sub base, without correct impaction procedures, pavers can drift apart.


While costing more initially, your concrete pavers are likely to last between 25 to 50 years. Just like a concrete slab, it does pose the risk of cracking, but replacement is a lot cheaper than repairing a concrete patio because you only need to replace the cracked individual pavers.

Stamped Concrete Patio Cost

Stamping concrete costs between $8 and $28 per square foot. While it can be more expensive to complete a stamped concrete patio, the benefit is you can select any pattern you would like to use. Mimicking the look of stone or pavers creates a richer-looking finished space. Stamping concrete is often done in conjunction with coloring or staining your concrete.

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How To Build A Concrete Patio

Create a prominent outdoor space with a strong and stylish concrete patio. The base of rigid patios can be constructed with mortared brick, mortared flagstone, tile, or concrete pad. Concrete provides a solid base beneath these materials. It also prevents them from cracking as the ground shifts from temperatures changes.

In most areas, a concrete patio begins with 4 inches of compacted stone. The difference is the depth you dig before you pour.


If you install a concrete patio, dig out a space 8 inches deep 4 inches for the some, another 4 inches for the concrete, and another 2 inches to allow for mortar and brick.

Form Release Agent
  • Step 1Step 1Lay Out and Excavate the Patio

    Lay out the patio with batterboards and masons line. Remove the sod, dig out 8 inches of soil, and compact the exposed surface. Spread gravel on the surface in 2-inch layers, compacting each layer and adding gravel for a bed 4 inches deep.

    Install a second set of layout lines on stakes. Position the stakes outside the first set of lines, offset from the first set by the width of the forms youll use. Level the lines with a line level or water level.

  • Step 10Step 10Let the Concrete Cure

    Lay plastic sheeting over the finished surface. The moisture trapped inside eliminates the need for watering during the curing stage.

    Let the concrete cure at least 48 hours, then remove the form boards.

  • Stamped Concrete Patio Cost Calculator

    How To Form, Pour, And Finish A Concrete Patio Slab

    To come up with a stamped concrete patio estimate, youll want to consider the desired size and style. Stamped concrete patterns cost more for designs when extra colors and borders are added. This extra ornamentation requires extra labor and will increase your stamped concrete cost per square foot. The cost for stamped concrete will also vary by shape of the slab irregularly-shaped pieces will cost more to lay. Cost differences also exist by region. Use this stamped concrete patio estimator to budget this exciting home improvement project.

    Read Also: How Many Pavers Do I Need For A 12×12 Patio

    Which Concrete Paving Option Is More Cost

    Now that you know the differences between the two options, which one is more cost-effective? Poured concrete or concrete pavers? To answer this question, it is important to not only examine the initial costs of both, but also the long-term costs of maintaining each surface.

    As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot. However, even though the upfront cost of pavers is higher, concrete pavers offer greater value and durability than poured concrete and stamped concrete. This ultimately means that concrete pavers are the most cost-effective option overall.


    Why exactly do concrete pavers offer the greatest value in the long run? Lets dig a little deeper.

    The Problem with Poured Concrete and Stamped Concrete Slabs

    Although installing concrete pavers technically costs more money than pouring concrete slabs, the truth is that poured concrete slabs come with higher costs overall when you take into account the repairs they require over their lifespan.

    Poured concrete slabs will crack when presented with encroaching tree roots, freezing and thawing cycles, and other disturbances in the ground underneath. When a concrete slab cracks or shifts, theres not much you can do to repair it seamlessly other than patching it or replacing the entire slab, which can be incredibly costly.

    Why Concrete Pavers Are More Cost-Effective

    $700 $1200 Per Square Foot

    The cost of most concrete patios is between $7.00 and $12.00 per square foot when professionally installed, or $700 to more than $3,600 for common patio sizes. When DIY concrete patios and pro options with upgrades are considered, the range spreads to about $3.00 $12.00 per square foot for smooth concrete.

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    Pavers Vs Stamped Concrete Patio

    Stamped concrete can give you the look of many different materials including stone pavers. Pavers are individual stones or pieces of brick that are laid beside one another to form a patio or driveway. They come in many colors and can be laid in many patterns, although you are more limited in color and style than with concrete, which can take on the look of wood as well as stone tiles.

    Pavers can be slightly more expensive than a basic stamped concrete patio, with starting costs just under $11 per square foot and going to roughly $15 per square foot on average, so they can cost less than more complex stamped concrete designs, making them on par with mid-range stamped concretemore expensive than some basic designs, but less expensive than the most complex.

    The benefits of pavers include authenticityyoure using actual pieces of stone or brick rather than attempting to recreate them. This gives you natural variation that can be expensive and difficult to create with concrete. They also dont crack the way that concrete can.

    The downside, though, is that pavers can loosen and shift with time. They can also be more difficult to care for and clean long-term.

    Size patio

    How Much Does Concreting Cost

    Had old slab cement patio painted bronze, added stone ...

    On average, concreting costs between $60 and $85 per square metre. $60m2 is the lower end of the scale and will probably be for concreting on a level surface. Higher costs will be for a sloping or hard to access site and if the area needs excavating, the cost may be higher. If the area has a steep slope, you may also have to pay for a retaining wall to hold the soil.


    Concreting a patio may be more expensive than concreting a driveway. Most driveways can be concreted directly from a concrete truck, but concreting a patio may involve using a concrete mixer and transporting concrete and sand to the site.

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    Stained Concrete Patio Cost

    The cost of a stained concrete patio typically ranges between $7 and $15 per square foot but custom designs and multiple colors can raise the cost as high as $25 per square foot.

    This treatment gives the space a more distinctive and attractive look. The concrete can either be colored before pouring or the color can be added to the concrete after it is poured. This changes the color of the surface from the traditional gray hue to something more unique. Some homeowners may even choose to use more than one color of stain to create a pattern on their concrete patio.

    Cost Of Diy Concrete Patio Installation

    Pouring concrete yourself can save you between $2.50 and $9 per square foot in labor costs. For a 100-square-foot DIY concrete patio, you could save between $250 and $900.

    If you dont have experience working with concrete, its best to hire a professional for this home improvement project. Pouring the concrete yourself could lead to expensive mistakes, unprofessional results, and possible damage to your skin.

    Pouring concrete is also a labor-intensive and time-consuming project. A concrete contractor can help take the burden off your hands. Otherwise, asking a friend for help can make the job less complicated.

    The bottom line: Even if you have experience pouring concrete, hiring a professional saves you time and helps you avoid expensive mistakes. If you dont have any expertise pouring concrete, its wise to call in a professional and not attempt the project yourself.

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    Is It Cheaper To Pour Concrete Yourself

    One of the least expensive ways to get concrete is to mix your own. You can buy bags of the mix from a home improvement store. Typically, you only have to add water for it to be ready to pour. Otherwise, you risk getting a weaker concrete once it cures, which could lead to cracks or crumbles within a couple of years.

    Concrete Cost Per Yard To Build Patios Houses And Slabs

    How To Pour A LARGE Concrete Patio Slab (With 3″ Slope)

    Concrete is one of the most popular building materials in the world. It can be used for foundations, walkways, and even entire buildings. This doesnt just mean commercial buildings either, residential buildings can be made of concrete too.

    But before you go buying enough concrete to build a home, its important to figure how much concrete you need. The cost of concrete may fluctuate, but you can get a good average if you figure it by the cubic yard.

    Also Check: Deck Or Patio Resale Value

    Concrete Cost Per Square Foot

    The typical cost of a cement slab is between $1 and $5 per square foot. Concrete slabs usually cost between $4 and $8 per square foot.

    Curious about the difference between cement versus concrete? Generally speaking, cement is an ingredient in concrete. Its worth noting that people often use the terms interchangeably. Sometimes, youll find cement in other materials separate from concrete.

    Concrete Patio Vs Brick

    The materials for a brick patio will typically cost around $7 per square foot and another $10 to $12 per square foot for installation since they need to be laid by hand. However, a well-made paving brick can last for one hundred years or more.

    • Bricks are a possible alternative for a patiothey come in a variety of colors, and you can get creative in your designs with them.
    • They are more likely to crack, break, and shift.
    • You have to power wash and reseal the surface every year.

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    Dirt Work And Grading

    Dirt work and grading refers to any preparation of the substrate that needs to occur before laying the formwork and pouring the concrete. This can be as simple as leveling the surface, or as complicated as consulting with a structural engineer on how to build the slab on a slope. Some contractors will include grading in their services at no additional cost, but this is highly dependent on the complexity of the site and its requirements.

    How Much Does Polished Concrete Cost

    How to Cover a Concrete Patio With Pavers (DIY)

    There are several ways to polish concrete and the price will depend on the method used. Read How Much do Polished Concrete Floors Cost? to find out about the different methods and their costs. On average, polishing concrete costs around $50m2 for the least expensive method called grind and seal and other processes may cost as much as $120m2 and the price can be higher depending on several factors:

    • The condition of the existing floor
    • Access problems
    • Honed and mechanically polished floors will cost more than a grind and seal
    • Aggregates will add to the cost
    • The polish level may add to the cost

    Because patios are in the back of the house, they may cost more to concrete than a driveway, which is more easily accessible. When you get quotes from concretors, tell them:

    • The size of the area
    • Whether it is flat or sloping
    • Any access problems
    • The type of finish you want

    Your initial quotes will be more accurate if you provide concretors with details about the project. They will inspect the site and give you a firm quote, but you may also have other costs. If the block is sloping, you may need to have a retaining wall built and that may need to be built by a retaining wall specialist.Not all concretors will be able to resurface or polish concrete, so specify the type of finish you want and get quotes from concretors who can create the type of concrete patio floor you want.

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    Concrete Patio Labor Costs

    Labor costs are largely determined by the size of your concrete patio. Most contractors bill you for labor per square foot. It is common for contractors to charge $4-$10 per square foot for labor.

    A 16 x 18 concrete patio could cost $1,152-$2,880 in labor. The higher-end labor costs apply to customized, complex designs and finishes.

    Cost Factors
    $1,152-$2,880

    Concrete Patio Cost Per Square Foot

    While the material cost is low, a concrete patio can cost up to $28 price per square foot depending on the finish you choose.

    • Concrete slab with no design: $3-$6 per square foot.
    • Simple coloring or stamping: $7-$15 per square foot.
    • Custom design with multiple colors: $12-$28 per square foot.

    Some homeowners choose to outline their concrete in brick or stone. This carries an additional cost.

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    How Much Does A Concrete Patio Slab Cost

    concrete patiocostsaveragecost

    . Regarding this, how much does a 12×12 concrete slab cost?

    Average Cost To Pour ConcreteTo pour a typical 10×10 concrete slab will cost $670 to $930, a 12×12 slab for a patio will cost $796 to $1,476, a 20×24 driveway slab runs between $1,440 and $3,360, and a 24×24 slab for a garage will cost $3,058 to $5,944.

    how much does it cost to cement a patio? Total Cement Patio CostOf course, if you choose to DIY, your cement patio cost will only come down to materials. However, if you hire a pro, cement patio costs range between $5 and $11 per square foot. As such, a 100sf cement patio typically runs homeowners between $500 and $1,1,00 total.

    Also Know, how much does it cost to pour a 20×30 slab?

    Typical sizes for concrete slabs are 12×12, 20×30, 30×50 and 40×60, but may differ according to your project’s specific needs. On average, the material alone costs anywhere between $5.38 to $6.19 per square foot.

    How much does a 10×20 concrete slab cost?

    Cost of Concrete Slabs

    Concrete Slabs Total Average Cost per square foot $6.88


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