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Patios are one of the most popular places to do renovations. There are dozens of options to make your outdoor living space livelier, regardless of size. One of these options is installing concrete.
Installing concrete in your patio tends to be affordable and easy to install, but is the cost worth it for you? Today, we’ll examine all the factors affecting your concrete patio cost.
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How Much Is the Average Concrete Patio Installation Cost Per Square Foot?
Concrete patios have been popular for decades. One of the benefits of installing even a single concrete slab is that you can adjust its finish, color, texture, and other factors.
However, concrete patios may have different costs depending on what you’re installing, where you’re doing the project, and who you hire.
The average cost for a concrete patio is approximately $2,925-$3,263. In most cases, however, you can expect to pay from $1,500 to $4,465 after labor costs.
Austin has an average cost per square foot of $5.70, similar to the national average. If your patio is too big, you could get that cost per square foot up to $15.
The best way to know how much you’ll spend on your concrete patio is to talk to professional contractors. Even though you may be tempted to work on your patio yourself, it’s hard to estimate your project’s cost accurately if you don’t get help.
What Factors Affect Concrete Patio Costs?
Here’s where things get interesting. You may wonder why there’s such a significant range in concrete patio costs, mostly because several factors play a role.
We’ll go through each of these conditions below so that you understand why the average concrete patio costs in the U.S. have that range.
Concrete Patio Type
This is the most critical factor, as you can get eight different concrete options for your property.
Concrete Slab: Concrete slabs are the most affordable option on this list. These have a smooth trowel finish that looks amazing. You can expect concrete patios made of standard slabs to cost about $4-$10 per square foot.
Stained Concrete: A stained concrete patio costs more because of the added colors. Expect to spend $5-$15 per square foot on average.
Painted Concrete: Painted concrete differs slightly from the “stained” option. While stained concrete colors the surface without trapping moisture, painted concrete coats everything with a thin film of material. It looks good but can trap moisture if it’s not installed correctly. A painted concrete patio can cost you $6-$16 per square foot.
Polished Concrete: As the name implies, polished concrete gives you a glossy finish that’s also resistant to stains. This is an excellent addition to your concrete patio to avoid high maintenance costs later. You may pay from $7 to $22 per square foot.
Stamped Concrete: The stamped concrete patio costs $5 to $30 per square foot. This is also a popular option since it allows you to stamp a customized design on your patio, making it more beautiful.
Broom-Finished Concrete: This technique for pouring concrete could save you some money. The method can make your concrete patio cost $4-$10 per square foot.
Exposed-Aggregate Concrete: An exposed-aggregate concrete patio has the benefit that it makes the surface less slippery. This is an excellent option to consider if you want to prevent accidents with children. It can cost from $6 to $13 per square foot.
Decorative Stencil: Stencils are another great way to make your concrete patio look unique. This option will make your patio project go from $5 to $17 per square foot.
Labor Costs
The cost of your new concrete patio can change depending on who you hire. Experts with decades of experience may charge higher prices for their projects, but you’re guaranteed better results.
It’s a common mistake not to consider labor costs alongside the cost of concrete per square foot. Once you talk to your preferred company, ensure the team is transparent about their prices. This will save you from a lot of headaches in the future.
Ground and Grading
The expert must first evaluate the patio’s soil conditions. In most cases, you must prepare the patio’s subgrade to support the poured concrete.
Also, you must consider if you need to import soil and how much “fill” the patio needs. All of those factors can affect the price of your concrete patio.
Installation Area
You can expect lower costs if your patio is easy to access. These projects require specialized equipment like the concrete mixer.
Unfortunately, you must pay more if the pump truck can’t reach your patio easily. A professional contractor is responsible for informing you about this before starting the project.
Reinforcements
Concrete patios need reinforcements if the soil conditions aren’t good enough. A reinforcement project can add more stability to the concrete, making it last longer. Different options exist, such as wire and fiber mesh, so talk to your experts to see if you need reinforcements.
Concrete Removal
If you have an old concrete patio and want to update it, you must also ask for removal services. Most people can expect to pay from $2 to $6 per square foot on top of the new patio’s cost.
You can save money by removing your old concrete patio, which could take time and effort. Sometimes, it’s not even worth it.
Thickness
Usually, a concrete patio will be no more than 4 inches thick, but you can get a thicker patio if you want. The thicker the concrete slab, the more materials it’ll need, so you’ll have to pay more per square foot.
Weather Protection
Some patios need weatherproofing to last longer. Getting cracks or other types of damage to your concrete patio can be expensive, but you can solve this by asking for weather protection.
Even if you get protection for your concrete patio, remember you may have to reseal it at least once every few years to prevent further damage.
Extras
Some homeowners like to add a few extras to their patio, such as a fire pit or a regular stone/brick decoration. You’ll have to pay extra labor and material costs regardless of which extra you get.
Feel free to ask your contractor if they offer any fancy extras that could make your new patio unique.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Maintenance for Your Concrete Patio?
Most of the time, you should reseal your concrete patio every three to five years to prevent cracks.
You can expect to pay $3-$5 per square foot if you have more significant cracks on your patio. Otherwise, standard sealing jobs could cost about $300.Is Installing a Concrete Patio Worth It?
Most of the time, installing a concrete patio is a no-brainer for those looking for affordable home renovations. The average cost per square foot isn’t too high compared to other options, and since you’re expected to provide maintenance only once every few years, your patio won’t take too much money off you in the future.
If you’re unsure if a concrete patio is convenient for you and your family, talk to our experts. Our years of experience allow us to evaluate your current patio quickly and guide you through the best way to improve it with concrete.
What Are the Benefits of Installing a Concrete Patio?
A concrete patio is excellent because of its versatility. You can get it to build a dinner, barbecue, or reunion space for you and your family. If you have a pool, on the other hand, you can use concrete to surround it.
However, there are many other benefits you can get from installing a concrete patio, so if you’re not convinced yet, this section is for you:
Customizability
You can create unique designs for your concrete patio without sacrificing durability or performance. Even though you may have to pay more for your patio to make it look different, it’s worth it.
Many people go for stamped/carved concrete to achieve a stunning look without spending too much money, so ask your contractor to see which options you have available.
Performance
Your concrete patio will last for many years if it’s properly installed. It can last even decades if you take care of it.
Standard concrete is already weather resistant, and if you reseal it, you’ll keep water out of the surface, making it last longer.
If you were to install another material for your patio, like wood, you’d have to worry about expensive maintenance costs, which isn’t appropriate if you’re on a tight budget.
Installation
Labor costs for a concrete patio aren’t usually high because the material is easy to install. You can expect the concrete to dry after two or three days. After that, you can get extra decorations to make your patio look fantastic.
Maintenance
Wood patios need to get sealed frequently because they’re more delicate. Pavers, on the other hand, need to get crack fills annually. Neither of those scenarios happens with a concrete patio.
Besides resealing your patio once every three or five years, all you have to do to keep it in good shape is sweep it or wash it with a hose occasionally.
Affordability
The average concrete patio cost is lower than the one for other materials. Concrete is the top choice to consider if you want to transform your patio without spending all your savings.
Since you won’t have to spend too much money or time on maintenance either, it’s safe to say that concrete won’t hurt your pocket.
Return on Investment
One of the greatest benefits of getting a concrete patio is that it can give you an excellent return on investment (ROI). These projects add a lot of value to your property, so if you plan on selling or renting in the future, having a concrete patio can help you get the property’s price higher.
Where Else Can You Install Concrete?
Concrete isn’t limited to patios. If you want to transform your entire property, keep in mind you can also install this material on your:
Driveway
Sidewalk
Walkway
Ask our team for advice if you don’t know which part of your property would benefit from concrete materials.
Should You Hire a Professional to Work on Your Existing Patio?
Absolutely! Many homeowners decide to DIY their concrete patio because the process looks simple enough.
Not hiring a professional can save you money on labor, but remember that you could accidentally install your concrete patio incorrectly. This will lead to slanting or cracking, making you spend money on expensive repairs later.
If you’re on a tight budget, something you can do to minimize your costs is to take care of the excavation or cleanup process.
Besides that, you should always let a professional prepare the concrete mix, pour it, and cure it once it dries. It may cost you more upfront but will help you avoid costly repairs later.
Bottom Line – Hire the Right Concrete Contractors for the Job
Getting a new patio is always exciting, primarily if you work with a specialized contractor. These professionals can bring your ideas to life and make the most out of your available space.
Even though concrete patio costs get affected by several factors, the average you’ll pay is always more affordable than other options on the market.
If you want to design the perfect concrete patio, don’t hesitate to contact a professional contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Cheaper to Do a Concrete Patio?
Yes. Concrete patios are often cheaper than other options like wood. The most significant benefit of concrete is that it’s still durable and beautiful despite its low price.
Is It Cheaper to Lay Concrete or Pavers?
The answer depends on the project and materials you’re using, but the price of poured concrete is usually cheaper per square foot.
Is a Concrete Patio Cheaper Than a Deck?
The answer depends on the project and materials you’re using, but the price of poured concrete is usually cheaper per square foot.
How Much Does It Cost to Pour a 24x24 Concrete Slab?
It depends on the factors we mentioned on the page. You can expect to pay an average of $2,304-$4,608. Make sure to ask your contractor for a more accurate estimate.