Concrete patio cost in 2026: per square foot & by size
Installed cost by patio size
| Patio | Broom finish ($6–$10/sq ft) | Stamped ($12–$20/sq ft) | DIY math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small · 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $600–$1,000 | $1,200–$2,000 | Run the build › |
| Café corner · 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $864–$1,440 | $1,728–$2,880 | Run the build › |
| Standard · 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $1,152–$1,920 | $2,304–$3,840 | Run the build › |
| Entertaining · 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | $1,920–$3,200 | $3,840–$6,400 | Run the build › |
| Large · 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $2,400–$4,000 | $4,800–$8,000 | Run the build › |
Ranges assume ground-level access and no old-slab removal. Stamped and colored work is finish-crew skill — check a contractor's stamped portfolio, not just their price.
The DIY math
A 12 × 16 ft patio is 4 in of gravel base (~4 tons) plus a 4-in slab (2.75 yd³ ordered, or ~107 bags): about $475–$660 in materials at August 2026 prices, against $1,152–$1,920 installed plain. The installed premium buys grading, forming square and to slope (away from the house, ~¼ in per foot), and the finishing window — a 2.75-yd pour is right at the edge of what two people can screed and float before it sets. The patio project calculator runs the whole build — base tonnage, ordered yards, bag math, and both cost lines — from one set of inputs.
Sources
Updated August 2026Installed ranges: Angi 2026 patio cost data and LawnLove/Concrete Network 2026 surveys (broom $6–$10, stained $8–$15, stamped $12–$20/sq ft; overall $6–$20 band). Materials math: ready-mix and base prices on the patio calculator, dated and sourced there.
Common questions
How much does a concrete patio cost in 2026?
$6–$17 per square foot installed: broom-finished $6–$10, stained or colored $8–$15, stamped $12–$20. A standard 12 × 16 ft patio runs $1,152–$1,920 plain, or $2,304–$3,840 stamped.
How thick does a patio slab need to be?
4 inches over 4 inches of compacted base is the standard for foot traffic and furniture. Go 5–6 in only if a hot tub or heavy structure lands on it (a filled 8-person hot tub is ~5,000 lb — that corner wants engineering, not guesswork).
Is a concrete patio cheaper than pavers?
Yes, usually by a wide margin: poured concrete at $6–$10/sq ft plain vs pavers commonly $15–$30/sq ft installed. Pavers win on repairability (lift and relay a settled section); stamped concrete gets you the look for less but cracks are forever.
Can I pour a patio myself?
A patio is the most DIY-able slab there is — small enough to finish before it sets, no vehicle loads, ground-level access. Materials for a 12 × 16 ft patio (base gravel + concrete) run about $475–$660 against $1,150–$1,900 installed plain. The patio project calculator prices the whole build — base and slab together.
What adds cost to a patio quote?
Removal of an old slab or deck, poor access (wheelbarrow distance), thick or stepped designs, decorative finishes, and small-load fees — under ~4 yd³, ready-mix trucks charge $50–$150 extra. Attached cover or footings are a different (permitted) project.