Concrete Patio Cost Worksheet
Create a concrete-patio budget from area and the required slab section, then price demolition, excavation, base, reinforcement, concrete, finish, access and sealing. The size and finish tables use explicit assumptions to show arithmetic and are not current market-price benchmarks.
Key takeaways
- Measure the patio footprint and use the required thickness to calculate concrete volume.
- Base, drainage, reinforcement and joints depend on site and project requirements.
- Request plain, exposed, stained or stamped finishes as separately defined quote options.
- The slab calculator returns quantities from entered dimensions; it does not specify the slab or quote demolition.
- Every dollar range on the page is an illustrative input to replace with local quotes.
Concrete patio cost per square foot
| Finish | Assumed input per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Plain / broom finish | $6 to $12 |
| Exposed aggregate | $7 to $18 |
| Stained | $8 to $25 |
| Stamped | $12 to $25 |
The fastest way to turn a footprint into a firm number is to enter your dimensions in the concrete slab calculator, which returns the cubic yards, bag count and an estimated cost for your exact patio size.
Concrete patio cost by size, 10x10 to 20x20
The table applies assumed rates to example areas and a 4 inch quantity with a 10% allowance. It is not a market comparison.
| Patio size | Sq ft | Cubic yards | Assumed plain result | Assumed stamped result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft | 100 | 1.36 | $600 to $1,200 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| 12 x 12 ft | 144 | 1.96 | $864 to $1,728 | $1,728 to $3,600 |
| 16 x 16 ft | 256 | 3.48 | $1,536 to $3,072 | $3,072 to $6,400 |
| 20 x 20 ft | 400 | 5.43 | $2,400 to $4,800 | $4,800 to $10,000 |
Obtain current local delivery and mobilization terms rather than assuming how project size changes the rate.
What drives the price: labor, thickness and reinforcement
Thickness changes concrete volume, but patio use and area do not establish an adequate slab section. Use the thickness, base, reinforcement and joint details required for the loads, support, concrete and local conditions. The guide to slab thickness inputs explains these dependencies without prescribing a universal value.
Extra costs: demolition, base prep and sealing
Ask local bidders to itemize demolition, disposal, excavation, base preparation, reinforcement, access, pumping, finish and sealing. Add only the items required by the measured project.
Plain vs stamped vs stained: which is worth it
Request plain, stamped and stained finishes as separate local options with surface preparation, color, pattern, curing, sealing and maintenance stated. This page does not establish a fixed price multiple.
The cost to pour a concrete slab guide lists the scope to include in a slab quote.
For a driveway, use the approved section and reinforcement for vehicle loads before comparing price.
How to budget a concrete patio project
Get at least two or three quotes and confirm what each one includes: demolition of any existing slab, base prep, control joints, and finish. Quotes that look unusually low often exclude one of these steps and add it back as a change order later.
Ask specifically about thickness and reinforcement, since a contractor quoting a thinner slab or skipping wire mesh can undercut a more solid bid by a wide margin. Matching quotes on the same thickness and reinforcement is the only fair way to compare them.
Once you have a target size in mind, enter the dimensions into the concrete slab calculator above to see the cubic yards, bags and an estimated cost range before you start calling contractors.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 12x12 concrete patio cost?
How should I compare concrete and paver patio quotes?
How thick should a concrete patio be?
How much does it cost to remove an old concrete patio?
Is stamped concrete worth the extra cost for a patio?
Sources and references
These references and structured source records support the method and material data used on this page.
- Concrete (Wikipedia)
- NRMCA: Ready Mixed Concrete
- American Concrete Institute (institutional site)
- QUIKRETE: Concrete Mix product data