How Much Does It Cost to Build a Patio?

Did you know that 88% of Americans are not satisfied with their outdoor spaces? If you are considering building a patio to have a place to chill and sit while enjoying the outdoors, we are here to help. In our guide below, we will share how much it costs to build a patio and what factors will influence the cost.

Keep reading to learn more about the average cost to build a patio.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Patio?

You can expect to pay around $10 per square foot for a basic patio, and for something more high end you can expect to pay around $50 per square foot. This means that a 7 by 7 patio will cost you around $250 to $2500 total (depending on materials and other factors).

Factors That Will Affect the Price

The size you choose will affect the price along with the shape you decide on. Another major factor that will affect the price is the material. Depending on where you live, the permits, will also lower or raise the total price.

If your patio requires drainage, wiring, gas, or electricity, you can expect to pay more. Also, adding doors such as Renewal by Andersen patio doors will be another factor to take into consideration.

Concrete Material Costs

If you opt for a concrete patio, then you can expect to pay between $2 and $4 per square foot. The price will depend on the type of concrete slab you choose and how thick the concrete is.

Choosing concrete is popular because it will last a long time, it is low maintenance, and fairly inexpensive. You have the option between stamped concrete or poured concrete.

Stamped concrete patios will range between $2,000 and $5,000 depending on the size. Poured concrete patios will cost between $1,500 and $4,000.

Brick Pavers

Although, brick patios are not as common, they are a very durable option. The price of a brick paver patio will range between $4 and $8 per square foot. A bonus with opting for brick pavers is that you have a wide range of colors and textures to choose from.

Gravel

For those on a tighter budget, gravel is the least expensive option. You can expect to pay between $1 to $4 per square foot. The only downfall is that gravel patios will require the most maintenance out of all the material options.

You can opt to install just gravel for your entire patio, or you can mix it up and also use another material such as concrete along with gravel.

Permeable Pavers

This is one of the most expensive patio material options. The average cost is around $10 to $30 per square foot. If you have the environment in mind and want a rustic patio feel, then permeable pavers are the way to go.

A major bonus of these pavers is that even in high foot traffic areas, they will hold up well against the elements and traffic.

Natural Stone

Building with natural stone or flagstone is also on the higher end of the patio spectrum costs. The cost will range between $3 and $35 per square foot. The final price will all depend on the size, color, and design you choose.

Natural stone patios can truly be made unique to your design and taste.

Raised Patio vs a Ground Patio

Something else that will affect your total patio cost is whether you choose a raised or a ground patio. If the ground is not leveled in your home or if your back door is above grade, then a raised or elevated patio is the way to go. A raised patio will typically be laid on top of a slab of concrete.

You can expect to pay around $1,000 to $8,000 for a 12 × 12 foot patio. This is around $2 to $6 more per square foot than a ground patio.

Building a ground patio means that you build it on top of your current lawn. This can cost between $700 and $7,000 for a 12 × 12 foot area. If the ground is not leveled, then you will have to pay a little extra to level the ground before you build your patio.

Extras

Once your patio is completed, there are extras that will raise the price. One of the most common extra features is adding a built-in fire pit.

These are great when you live in an area that has more chilly than warm nights. A built-in pit can cost between $300 and $3,000 depending on its size and the materials you choose.

Another common extra is adding a roof to the patio to stay safe from rain and sun. This will also help protect your furniture from the natural elements. A patio roof cost will depend on if you choose high-end materials, steel, aluminum, awnings, etc.

The average patio roof will cost between $5,000 and $25,000. A stand-alone cover like a pergola is going to cost around $2,000 to $6,000 depending on the size. If you opt for a steel roof, you can expect to pay between $300 and $1,500.

Wooden roofs will cost between $2,500 and $4,000 and aluminum or vinyl will cost between $800 and $2,000.

If you plan on hosting parties, or you just want to soak in a hot tub after a long work day, then you might want to consider adding a hot tub or pool to your patio. This extra can range between $14,000 and $42,000. A hot tub alone will be on the lower end of the cost spectrum because it will sit on top of the ground and you won’t need to dig the ground and typically won’t need permits either.

Outdoor kitchens are another extra that are a great choice if you are cooking for larger groups or if you enjoy cooking outside instead. This addition can cost between $5000 and $22,000, depending on the appliances you choose and how large the kitchen is.

Lighting is another addition for patios, but this will require electrical work, so depending on the wiring you can expect to pay between $300 and $1,400. To save money on power bills, some people opt for solar lights, but it’s best to have a combination of both solar and electrical for those cloudy days.

Once the patio is installed, you might want to add more life to the outdoor area by sprucing up your landscaping. This will cost you between $1,400 and $5,000 on average.

The final touch on any patio is the furniture. There is everything from high-end teak dining sets to lounge chairs and sofas. After 50 hours of interviewing five landscaping designers, the top patio furniture sets included a set from IKEA, Better Homes sets, etc.

You can see the final results of the best patio furniture right here to see if any of these options fit your style.

DIY Patios

For those that have some experience with construction and DIY projects, you might want to opt to build your patio yourself. This can save you money and you can make it exactly how you want it. Keep in mind that while this will save you money, it will cost you at least 30 to 50 hours of your own time.

One of the best materials for a DIY patio is gravel because it is easy to throw down and pick up at your local hardware store. You can also have a local delivery company drop off a few pounds, and you take the time to spread it where you are building your patio. If you opt for gravel, just make sure that your lawn is leveled and prepared before you start spreading and dropping gravel on it.

When you choose the DIY route, you will save between $5 to $15 per square foot on labor. The cost to hardscape will be between $10 to $20 per square foot, and materials will cost you between $1 and $35 per square foot.

Make sure that you double-check what permits are needed in your county before you get to work because if you build without one, and it’s required, you will end up wasting a lot of money in the end. Usually, the permits will cost anywhere from $400 to $2,000. If you happen to live in an area where you don’t need a permit, then this will be a small savings.

Ready to Build a Patio You Can Enjoy?

Now that you have learned the average cost to build a patio and what factors influence this cost, you can make informed decisions on building your own patio to fit your needs and style. This small addition will make your home feel summer-ready.

If this article helped you out, please browse the rest of our home section for more tips to improve your home.