How much does a patio cost? Discover the typical cost of a patio

You may be wondering, how much does a patio cost? Whether you are laying one for the first time or replacing an old patio, the cost of laying a patio is an important question.

The answer will depend on your patio ideas: the dimensions of the patio, naturally, but also the materials you choose and the design. We've got the answers so you know what you can expect to pay.

You can save on the cost of laying a patio if you lay it yourself, if you’re handy, but we have a price guide you can use if you’re thinking of calling in a contractor instead. 

How much does a new patio cost?

The cost of a new patio could be as low as around $10 (£7) per square foot if you opt for a gravel-only version. Be aware that although this is the least expensive option in the first place, the gravel is likely to need topping up over time, so there are ongoing expenses in this case.

If the new patio is made using tile, expect to pay from around $3,250 (£2,340). At the higher end, a patio made using natural stone might cost from around $4,300 (£4,000).

The total cost of a new patio has a number of elements. These include that of the materials needed to create the base, the patio material itself, and whether you want to incorporate patio cover ideas that need foundations in the patio, or patio lighting ideas that need to be hardwired. Factor in the labor too if you’re calling on a contractor to do the work.

If the new patio is to be laid on what was previously an area of lawn, the contractor will need to cut the turf out where the new patio is to be situated. Whatever its position, the ground needs preparing and leveling next, and then the base is laid, followed by the pavers or other material.

If the patio is going to be attached to your home, you also might need to consider how patio door ideas factor into your costs, if you don't already have a direct exit from your home onto the patio. 

Finally, the size of the patio, how easy or demanding a particular material is to lay and the ground conditions will all factor into the cost of this labor.

How much does it cost to lay a patio?

The cost of laying a patio can range from around $2,000 to $5,500 (£1,450 to £4,000) typically. The final bill could be $10,000 (£7,200) and upwards, though, and this depends on a number of factors.

The size of the patio is crucial, of course, and affects the total cost of the materials not just because of the amount required, but also according to how much a particular surface, tile, paver or flagstone costs. Prices vary widely and so, therefore, do total patio costs.

The labor costs for both preparation of the area and the laying of the pavers are also influenced by the patio’s dimensions – the larger the patio the longer the job will take – as well as tandem jobs like installing a patio door. If you follow our guide to how to lay a patio and take on the labor yourself, you won’t need to include this cost.

A further influence on the total cost of laying a patio is the design. When designing a patio, simple square and rectangular patios will come in cheaper than intricate patterns, circular versions and other curved designs.

How much should it cost to lay a patio?

How much it should cost to lay a patio will depend on the material you’ve selected. The labor costs for installation of a gravel patio might be from as little as around $5 (£3.60) per square foot. A paver patio might come with a labor charge of around $9 (£6.50) per square foot. 

Choosing expensive materials for the patio along with opting for a custom design, or add ons like pergola ideas or an outdoor kitchen, will raise labor costs accordingly.

How much does a 12x12 paver patio cost?

A 12x12 paver patio could cost from around $1,440 to $3,600 (£1,035 to £2,590). Bear in mind that pavers can be made from a range of materials, so your choice will affect the final cost of an average-sized 12x12 patio.

How much does a 20x20 patio cost?

A 20x20 patio costs around $2,000 to $6,000 (£1,440 to £4,300) generally, for a patio at ground level made from materials other than gravel. Using gravel could lower the cost, while opting for materials such as natural stone could raise costs significantly.

Bear in mind that the final bill for a 20x20 patio will depend whether the pattern is a more intricate one that takes longer to create. 

How much do different patio materials cost?

The cheapest material you can use for a patio is gravel. If you opt for a simple gravel patio, you might pay around $10 (£7) per square foot overall for the patio, including the price for the material itself along with installation. Gravel is the easiest material for DIYers to use, so it’s possible to cut costs by around 50 per cent if you take this route and avoid the need to call on a contractor to lay the patio.

Concrete is also a low cost option, and you could pay a similar price of around $10 (£7) per square foot for installation of a concrete patio.

While gravel and concrete will provide a hard surface for your backyard, other options will likely prove more aesthetically pleasing. Consider flagstones, for which you might pay from $15 (£11) per square foot or tile at a similar price point. Natural stone can be a high-end choice and you might pay around $40 (£29) per square foot, although this will depend on the rarity of the stone.

When selecting a material, think about whether it will coordinate with your potential patio furniture ideas as well as factoring in its cost.