Patios guide
Patio installation: concrete, pavers and planning
Published by Clear House · Updated
Short answer
Patio cost depends on size, material (poured concrete, stamped concrete or pavers), base preparation and extras such as seat walls or fire pits. A large designed backyard patio averaged $51,454 in the U.S. in the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report; simple slabs cost far less.
Decide on size and material before asking for quotes. Clear House lets you request a patio quote from one local pro where one covers your ZIP code.
Key points
- Excavation and a compacted base are what make a patio last.
- Pavers usually cost more than plain concrete but are easier to repair.
- Drainage away from the house is essential.
Is there a Clear House pro for patio installation near you?
Enter your ZIP code to check live. Anyone in the U.S. can plan a project and see a ballpark, even where no pro is available yet.
What affects the cost of a new patio
- Area and shape.
- Material: concrete, stamped concrete, pavers or stone.
- Excavation, base depth and grading.
- Steps, walls, edging and drainage.
- Access for equipment.
Published cost benchmarks
These are average costs for specific, defined projects from an independent annual report. Use them to sanity-check a budget, not as a price for your home.
| Project (defined scope) | South Atlantic region | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Backyard patio | $49,982 | $51,454 |
Average job cost from the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (Zonda / JLC). Each figure is for one defined project scope, not your home. Your price depends on size, materials, access, damage found and the contractor.
How to plan it
- Mark the outline with a hose or paint to test the size.
- Check slope and where water runs.
- Choose a material and finish.
- Call 811 before digging.
Questions to ask a contractor
- How deep is the base, and what material?
- How will water drain away from the house?
- Is a permit needed?
- What warranty covers settling or cracking?
How Clear House helps with a new patio
Clear House is a planning app and marketplace. It does not do the work itself. You choose the project, answer a few short questions and add a photo if you have one. Clear House then shows a planning ballpark so you have a starting budget before anyone visits your home.
Photo previews are not offered for this kind of project yet, so the planning steps focus on scope and budget.
When you are ready, Clear House checks whether a reviewed independent pro covers your ZIP code and this trade. If one does, you send your project to that one pro, who can review it and send a quote in the app. You are not obligated to accept a quote, and your request is not sent to a crowd of contractors. If no pro covers your area yet, you can join the waitlist and Clear House emails you when one is available.
Common questions
Concrete or pavers?
Concrete is often less expensive up front. Pavers cost more but individual pieces can be lifted and replaced. Ask for both prices.
Ready to plan?
Free to plan. See a ballpark before anyone visits. Your project goes to one pro at a time, only where a pro covers your area.
Start a projectSources
- Zonda / Journal of Light Construction, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report — South Atlantic region and national averages — Published 2025. Costs are averages for a defined project scope, not quotes.
- 2025 Cost vs. Value Report — Methodology — Explains how job costs (Verisk XactRemodel data) and resale values were estimated.
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission — How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam — Advice on licenses, insurance, written estimates, contracts and down payments.
Related
Clear House is a marketplace, not a contractor. Costs on this page are published averages or planning ranges, not quotes, and your price will differ. Always confirm licensing, insurance and permits with the pro you hire.