How Much Does a Patio Cost to Build?

The average cost to build a patio is around $3,952. Depending on patio material, upgrades, and size, the cost of installing a new patio or pathway will range between $2,027 and $6,019. 

Patios and pathways are excellent ways to add not only curb appeal, but make your outdoor space more practical when you add in items such as a pool or outdoor kitchen.

Patio Installation Cost per Square Foot

The cost to install a new patio will fall between $5 to $50 per square foot. Like most projects, you’ll find the cost per square foot decreases as the size of the project increases. 

Typical prices for different patio sizes fall between:

Raised Patio Cost

Raised patios cost around $2 to $6 per square foot on top of the cost of the patio material. Unlike surface-level patios, raised patios will pour a layer of concrete underneath and then lay the patio material on top of it. This cuts down on costs significantly, as the concrete underneath doesn’t impact the aesthetic of the patio itself.

Patio Extension Costs

Patio extensions will still cost around $5 to $50 per square foot, as nothing entirely changes between a fresh installation and an extension. You still need to level the area, lay out the materials, and build from the ground up. The total project cost will likely be lower than your initial project, unless you’re building the extension as large as the initial patio.

Patio Prices by Material

The cost of patio materials will range from $1 to $35 per square foot. Simple gravel patios will come in at the lowest end, at $1 to $4 per square foot. Granite cobblestone and flagstones will range from $11 to $35 per square foot on the high end.

Poured and Stamped Concrete

A simple concrete patio costs around $3 to $6 per square foot. Poured concrete patio total costs will vary based on the thickness of the concrete slab. Opting for a stamped concrete patio will cost you around $8 to $28 per square foot.

Gravel

The cost of a pea gravel patio will fall between $1 to $4 per square foot. Gravel patios are relatively easy to install yourself or with a professional, which is why it typically has the lowest price per square foot for materials and labor.

Natural Stone and Flagstone

A natural stone patio will cost around $6 to $35 per square foot, depending on the material. Common materials for natural stone patios include:

Brick and Concrete Pavers

Brick paver patios will cost around $8 to $19 per square foot to install. Concrete paver patios will cost around $4.50 to $21 per square foot to install. Paver patios aren’t limited to only brick or concrete, as you can also have flagstone, cobblestone, or limestone. 

Patio Upgrade Costs

You can easily make your patio feel more like your own by including upgrades. Patio upgrades range from a cozy firepit to a full-blown outdoor kitchen.

Backyard Patio With a Firepit

A backyard patio with a firepit will cost around $300 to $1,400 on average. You can opt for a standalone firepit that’s already built for around $50 to $250. Or you have one built into the patio for a seamless flow for anywhere from $300 to $3,000.

And don’t forget to bring a gas line for the built-in firepit; on its own, it will have a wide cost range, depending on your circumstances. There are also chiminea, which includes a chimney on top of the firepit, which will cost between $150 to $1,500.

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens cost $5,500 to $22,000 on average. But you could end up paying $50,000 or more for extremely large and high-end designs and installs. The only limiting factors are your imagination, budget, and space.

“The appliances you chose significantly impact the terms of cost estimating,” says Ezra Laniado, owner of Landmark Construction & Development Group, Inc. “Not only that, but just like in a backyard built-in firepit, the proximity and ease of access your outdoor kitchen has to water supply lines and drainage, a gas supply line, and electrical supply will have a big impact on the final price. Getting any of these utilities to your outdoor kitchen can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on your home’s layout.”

Patio Sitting Wall

Patio sitting walls cost anywhere from $15 to $60 per square foot. Retaining walls cost $3,200 to $8,700 or an average of $40 per square foot. You might need one of these for structural reasons or just to split the area visually. Either way, the material choices and size dictate your budget.

Patio Cover or Roof

Patio cover costs $5,000 to $25,000 or higher. These can even hit $50,000 or more if you opt for a high-end design, a large enclosure, insulation, or high-end materials. The room can essentially become part of your home.

Pergolas

Pergolas will cost between $2,150 to $6,000 on average. Because of custom designs, high-end materials, and size, you could pay upwards of $10,000 or more. The typical pergola is 10-by-10 feet, but sizes can range from 8-by-8 feet to 18-by-16 feet.

Patio Furniture

Patio furniture will range from $100 to $5,000, but this realistically comes down to your budget and what you want your patio to look like. You could only want a single chair out there or set up an entire dining area for you and your household.

• A simple bistro set consists of two chairs and a small table: $70–$500. They are ideal for a small patio or to fill in an empty corner.

• A conversation set: $250–$1,000. Slightly larger than a bistro set, the number of chairs ranges from two to as many as you can fit.

• Dining sets: $500–$5,000. This price can vary depending on the size of the table and the number of chairs. Some may have an umbrella or shade of some sort.

Lighting

The cost of outdoor lighting will range from $2,000 to $4,500 for your entire property. Patio lighting will allow you to set the ambiance and see in the dead of night. Limiting the lighting to only your patio with solar lights will cut down labor costs and not require electrical wiring to run to the patio.

Landscaping

Landscaping will cost between $1,400 to $5,300, depending on whether or not you want to overhaul your entire yard at the same time you build a patio. Adding in an overhaul of landscaping may help with increasing the value of your property while also shaping the patio into a centerpiece.

Patio Maintenance

Patio repairs will cost anywhere from $700 to $2,250 on average. If you want to cut down on patio repairs, it’s important to maintain your patio to the fullest degree. Ensure you’re resurfacing and resealing your patio every two to three years. The cost of resealing and resurfacing your patio is around $1.50 to $3 per square foot.

Stay on top of washing your patio as well. The cost of power washing your patio is around $200 to $400 on average. Tackle cracks as soon as possible to prevent the cracks from worsening.

DIY Patio Costs

DIY gravel patios will cost around $1 to $4 per square foot for materials. Gravel patios are relatively easy and require nothing more than time and a shovel. These patios are easy to shape and don’t require much more than sheer willpower.

For every other type of patio, it’s best to leave it to a patio installer near you. Failing to pour concrete or lay pavers down correctly can lead to drainage and flooring problems and even cause the patio to fail.

DIY cost vs. Professional Installation

The cost of labor to install a patio is around $5 to $15 per square foot. If the average patio is around 100 square feet, then you’re looking at saving anywhere from $500 to $1,500 for the entire project in terms of labor costs.

With any other patio besides gravel, you should look into spending the extra $500 to $1,500. Patios routinely take between 30 to 50 hours to complete with professional installation.