How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Sidewalk or Patio?

Sidewalk and Patio Repair Costs by Material

Outside of the size of the sidewalk or patio, the largest repair cost factor is the type of material used. The table below explores common materials used for sidewalks and patios and the average cost to repair them.

*Labor costs included.

Concrete

The average cost to repair a concrete sidewalk or patio is $5 to $11 per square foot, or about $500 to $1,100 for a 100-square-foot section, when work is minimal. That’s slightly less than the cost of a concrete sidewalk, newly installed. Repair work can range from fixing cracks and holes, as well as completely resurfacing and sealing.

More serious problems, like sunken or cracked cement or concrete completely in need of replacing, can cost up to $20 per square foot, or $2,000 for a 100-square-foot project.

Stamped Concrete

A new stamped concrete walkway can cost up to $2,800. Repair work is also expensive, from $6 to $20 per square foot. For a 2-foot-by-50-foot walkway or  10-foot-by-10-foot patio, that’s roughly $600 to $2,000 for stamped concrete repairs.

Due to the craftsmanship of stamped concrete, you'll want to hire a concrete contractor who specializes in stamped, stained, and polished concrete for any repairs. Actual repair costs will vary greatly depending on your location and the type of stamp or stain used.

Asphalt

Asphalt patios and sidewalks are among the most budget-friendly types to repair. Expect to pay between $5 and $8 per square foot in asphalt patio repair costs. If the contractor only needs to do a simple patch job, the cost could be even lower.

Brick

Brick patio and sidewalk repair costs tend to be higher, roughly $1,100 to $1,400 for a 100-square-foot project. The contractor will factor mortar and brick prices into their overall estimate; brick also requires more specialized skills, typically from a stone and brick mason, who charge from $70 to $110 per hour. 

Stone

Repairing a stone sidewalk or patio costs between $14 and $17 per square foot. Like brick, stone walkways and patios are more aesthetically pleasing than basic concrete or asphalt, but they are much costlier to repair. Typical repair work includes installing replacement stones and mortar to address cracks and gaps.

Tile

While a front sidewalk will not be made of tile, tile is an elegant choice for a private walkway and patio. However, tile patio repair costs range from $400 to $2,000 for a 100-square-foot area.

Typically, contractors will need to replace the grout, which can crumble over time. Tiles can also be chipped and cracked, meaning the contractor may need to replace complete tiles.

Paver

Pavers (also called paving stones) are made of multiple materials, including stone, brick, and concrete. This makes them expensive; the average cost of a patio paver installation is $18 per square foot, and repair work can range from $7 to $30 per square foot.

Cost to Repair a Sidewalk or Patio by Type of Damage

Over time, sidewalks and patios are susceptible to damage. The type of damage can run the gamut, but the most common types that lead patio and sidewalk repair work include sinking, crumbling, and cracks.

The table below shows the average sidewalk and patio repair cost for each problem by square foot. 

*Labor costs included.

Sinking

If a portion of your sidewalk or walkway is sinking, you’ll pay between $3 and $25 per square foot for repairs. Because the issue is often the soil underneath the walkway, contractors will typically need to coat the surface with sand and cement to raise the overall height of the walkway. Mudjacking may be necessary.

A sinking patio is likely more costly to fix. With a sidewalk, you may only need to work on a portion, but for a patio, you might need to repair the entire foundation. Repairing a sunken 100-square-foot patio could cost anywhere from $300 to $2,500.

Crumbling

Repairing a crumbling walkway or patio ranges on average from $5 to $25 per square foot. Workers will typically remove all the crumbled debris and pour concrete into the foundation, then rebuild that portion of the patio or walkway with your preferred material.

If you notice an area of your patio or sidewalk is crumbling, it’s important to call a contractor right away. The crumbling will only continue to worsen as rainwater enters into any cracks, and it can pose a safety hazard to your family, guests, and pedestrians.

Sometimes, crumbling is due to severe erosion or aggressive roots beneath the surface. In this event, your costs may go up.

Cracks

Simple cracks in a sidewalk and patio are inexpensive to fix, especially in concrete surfaces. The cost ranges from $8 to $11 per square foot for a professional, but mild cracks are an easy DIY fix.

Repairing cracks is important: Most patchwork will also prevent continued cracking. If left untreated, cracks will continue to grow and spread.

Common Sidewalk or Patio Repair Costs

The type of repair work needed can ultimately affect the overall price you’ll pay to fix your patio or sidewalk. In the table below, we look at four common patio and sidewalk repair costs per square foot.

Mudjacking

Contractors typically charge $3 to $25 per square foot for mudjacking, though the price is more often on the low end. The cost of mudjacking reaches the high end when slabjacking is involved (raising solid concrete slabs).

Mudjacking is the standard process that contractors use to raise sunken concrete.

Resurfacing

Resurfacing a sidewalk or patio can cost as low as $4 per square foot, especially when the surface is basic concrete. Materials like stone and stamped concrete may also need to be resurfaced over time; the cost of resurfacing materials like that may fall closer to $12 per square foot.

Sealing

Sealing a sidewalk or patio costs from $3 to $11 per square foot. This is a cost-effective task that can protect the patio or sidewalk from water damage, UV rays, road salt, and de-icer. When you seal pavers or stone walkways, you can even protect their colors. Sealing is important for prolonging the life of your sidewalk or patio surface and can prevent cracks from growing.

Replacement

If you need to replace a portion of your sidewalk or patio, the total cost will include the price of new materials, the labor, and potentially the disposal of old materials. Depending on the material used (from inexpensive concrete to costly flagstone or bluestone pavers), you can expect to pay $5 to $30 per square foot for replacement work, or $500 to $3,000 for a 100-square-foot project.

Hauling away old materials generally costs $1.50 to $2 per square foot. Alternatively, you can rent a dumpster for about $400 if your contractor did not include this in their scope of work.

Sidewalk and Patio Repair Cost Factors

A number of factors can impact your overall sidewalk or patio repair cost, in addition to the material used, problem and solution, and size of the job. Factor in the following when calculating your budget:

Labor

Labor costs for patios and walkways average $35 per hour for general concrete paving contractors, but if you are designing a brick or stone patio or sidewalk, expect to pay higher masonry labor costs of $70 to $110 per hour.

Permits and Inspection

Permits are not generally needed for minor patio repairs, but you might need a permit or an inspection for a larger project. Contact your local building department for details, or ask your contractor if they will handle that. Construction permit costs can range from $150 to $2,000.

If you need to repair your front sidewalk, working hand-in-hand with the city government is a good idea. They may cover part of the cost, and if the damage was due to their own construction, they might be on the hook for the entire bill.

Enhancements

In general, stamped concrete costs more to install and repair than regular concrete. If you are hoping to enhance your patio space with higher-quality, more attractive materials like brick, flagstone, or bluestone, expect to spend more per square foot.

Landscaping

If your walkway or patio repairs will involve any changes to the landscaping, such as the removal of a tree or planting a new garden, factor landscaping costs into your overall budget. For example, the cost to remove a tree is $750 on average.

Patio Roofs or Enclosures

Patio enclosure costs are usually about four or five timesthat of the patio base. Repairs largely depend heavily on the type of enclosure, siding, and roofing materials of your patio. Generally, roof repairs cost about $1,000 nationally. Siding repair costs run an average of $800.

DIY vs. Hiring Patio Repair Companies

Hire a local patio repair professional to fix extensive concrete issues like sunken slabs and broken sections. Small jobs like crack repair and sealing are better candidates for DIY projects. For example, crack repair only requires some sealant for about $5 per tube. Fill larger pits and cracks with a concrete patch or a cement repair kit for $15 to $150.

Only experienced DIYers should tackle paver repairs. You'll need some sand, a trowel, and a level. For extensive damage or extremely decorative patios, you'll need specialized cutting tools; the time and equipment investment may be prohibitive. In that case, hire a professional landscaper.

FAQs

Who repairs municipal sidewalks vs. residential sidewalks?

A municipal sidewalk, though it is public property, is typically the responsibility of the homeowner whose property borders the sidewalk, though it can vary by city. Some cities have 50-50 programs to split the cost with the homeowner, but others may leave the cost entirely on the resident. If repair work is needed, the homeowner should contact the city to determine who is responsible for paying for repairs.

Residential sidewalks refer to private walkways at your home. You will always be responsible for repairing these. If you live in a homeowner’s association (HOA), there might be additional guidelines to consider.

How long do concrete patios and walkways last?

You can expect to get 25 to 50 years out of a patio or walkway. This depends largely on the quality of the concrete, the workmanship, and your climate. Colder climates, where thawing and freezing happen throughout the winter, tend to break up concrete much faster. Ice-melting chemicals tend to destroy concrete and brick quickly.

How long do paver patios last?

Pavers will last between 30 and 100 years or more depending on the type. Stone has a higher installation cost but can last for hundreds of years. Brick and concrete wear a bit quicker, but the inherent benefit of pavers is the ability to replace single pavers as needed.

How much does it cost to repair a patio deck?

Patio decks, also called ground-level decks, cost about $1,500 to repair but can run anywhere from $700 to $2,500. Deck repair costs depend on the size, type of material, and extent of damage. High-end materials, like composites, cost more but require less maintenance.

What's the price to repair an asphalt pathway?

Asphalt paving costs generally run about $2,325 with an average range of $1,000 to $3,700. Walkways, pathways, and sidewalks are generally going to be lower on the spectrum than a driveway, since they’re not bearing the same loads.