Stamped Concrete Patio Cost

A stamped concrete patio offers a more unique design than a standard poured concrete slab, which is why many people choose it for the exterior of their home. Installing a patio requires excavation and removal of the existing patio or earth, grading and leveling of the land, concrete pouring and finishing, and optional stain accents or colors.

Stamping easily doubles the project cost of a concrete slab, but it adds a nicer finish and still provides a great return on investment. The level of stamping required is also going to impact the cost, as seen in the first table below. Typically, homeowners will pay for the concrete slab and the stamping work will be added to that cost, as you can see here.

Concrete stamping: by level of stamping, including unit cost and total with an additional $3-$5 square feet for the concrete slab added to the unit cost.

Concrete stamping: concrete slab, textured stamping with one color and border.

Other considerations and costs

• Make sure that your estimate includes a price for the concrete slab in addition to any stamping work. Most reputable professionals will provide this, but there are a few companies out there that might try to overcharge you or mislead you with their estimates and costing procedures.
• For reference, stamped concrete is about 30-50 percent more expensive than brick or clay pavers. It does provide a longer-lasting finish and a better quality patio space, however. Pavers have a tendency to settle and create an uneven surface, which can become a safety hazard.

DIY considerations

• While you may be able to lay pavers on your own, concrete stamping is definitely a professional project. You do not have the equipment or tools for pouring concrete slabs and completing the stamping process. While you can rent basic concrete tools at a home improvement store, it’s still too big of a job for the average DIY handyman.
• If you can do any of the site prep (removal of ground cover, shrubs, old pavers, etc.), you can reduce the labor costs for the total project.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.