paver stone patio cost

Average Cost of Stone Paver Patio Installation

The national average cost of a stone paver patio is right around $14 per square foot based. In your area, the average price will be affected by the local cost of living and specific site conditions. DIY cost is typically $5 to $8 per square foot depending on your need to purchase or rent the tools required for the work.

A 12 x 20 (240 sqft) paver stone patio cost is $2,400 to $4,560. Complete cost factors that allow you to narrow the cost are explained below.

Most jobs include removing the turf and topsoil, a stable base of 4” to 6” of gravel and sand layers covered with landscaper fabric. The pavers are then installed to create your stone patio. Depending on paver type and patio design, slag might be poured over the pavers and brushed into the cracks to fill them and prevent a place for weeds to get a foothold.

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Overview of Stone Pavers

A stone, or paver stone, patio is a beautiful way to make your outdoor living area the talk of the neighborhood.  This type of patio is considered a higher end patio in both look, design and cost, very similar to stamped concrete pads. Still, at an average cost of $14 per square foot, they’re more affordable than a composite deck, which averages about $26 per square foot.

Patios built with paver stones can be spruced up by adding an outdoor kitchen, a natural or gas firepit, lighting, and even possibly stone benches or other sitting areas.  Keep in mind that each additional feature or add-on feature will add cost to the overall project beyond the prices given above.

Generally speaking, installing a stone patio is a very labor intensive project that requires much digging, lifting, and maneuvering of stone pavers into place.  Stone pavers used in building a stone patio are available in many sizes and shapes that give you design options for a customized appearance.  Many homeowners use paver stones, such as flagstone pavers, of varying sizes to create a uniquely styled patio area.

This page of Business Finance News, or cost estimates for various indoor and outdoor living projects like this popular option, includes cost factors, retail costs for the materials used and a sampling of paver stone cost estimates from other reliable sites. We discuss DIY with what it takes to get paver stone patio that looks professional. Finally, if you’d like to share your stone paver patio price with other readers, please bookmark this page and return to when the project is complete!

Product and Installation Supplies Cost Details

Paver Stone Patio Cost Factors

How much does a stone paver patio cost? These factors are important to consider.

• Who Builds the Stone Patio – Landscapers or a handyman service are often hired to install a stone paver patio. It’s DIY-friendly too, but prepared for some backbreaking work.  As stated above, it is a very labor intensive job, but also very rewarding once you finish the project. For some, that’s an attractive alternative to hiring out the installation of the stone paver patio at a labor cost of $6 to $12 per square foot.
• Size of the Patio – As with any project, the larger the stone patio, the more expensive it will be to build.  A positive about doing a larger stone patio is that you can sometimes get a better price on the stone pavers if you buy in a higher quantity. And cost per square foot drops slightly as the size goes up.
• Complexity – The cost per square foot of a straightforward rectangular design will be lower than if the patio is irregularly shaped, has pavers laid in a circular design or has other installation complexities.
• Installation Challenges – Is your backyard easy to access and flat? Are soils sandy and easy to work with? Your stone paver patio cost will be lower than if installers face challenges like difficult access, so materials must be carted in by wheelbarrow, heavy or dry clay that can be extremely hard, slopes, drainage issues or brush removal as just a few examples.
• What Type of Paver Stone Patio is Built – There are slight price differences in the cost of stone pavers, but over 100 to 500 square feet, those price differences will add up. If you decide to buy the stone pavers yourself, you can possibly save money. It is important to shop around to find the best price for your stone pavers.
• Where you Live-  The price to buy stone pavers is pretty standard, regardless of where you live.  The difference in cost due to your location is determined by the price to hire either a landscaper or contractor to do the job.  Contractors and landscapers generally charge between $20 and $75 per hour with an average of $40 to $55 per hour.

Retail Stone Pavers Patio Costs

• $2.00 – $3.50 per Square Foot | Stone Pavers
• $1.00 – $2.00 per Square Foot | Gravel to supply a stable base. Price will depend on the thickness of the layer, delivery charges and amount of gravel used – cost per square foot goes down the more gravel you purchase, especially if delivered.
• $0.10 – $0.20 per Square Foot | Leveling Sand – This sand is used on top of gravel because it drains well and doesn’t “heave” with frosts.
• $40 – $100 per Day | Sod Cutter Rental and Plate Compactor from a local home improvement store or landscape supply company. $15 – $50 per 100 Square Foot Roll | Landscape Fabric. Options vary by material and thickness.
• $12 – $40 Each | Hand tools such as a sod knife and flat spade

Permits, Inspection, Related Costs and Installation Time

Permits and Inspection Cost

• $0 – $100 | Permits are not generally required to install a stone patio.  However, a permit is needed if you are planning on running any type of electrical or gas line to your patio area. Check with your local city or county offices to see what permits may be needed.

Related Costs and Installation Time

Basic excavation for a patio includes removing enough existing material to form a solid base plus the pavers and hauling it away. These costs are included in the prices given above.

When “extras” like shrub or tree removal, adding drain tile or a French drain or dealing with significant sloping are required, cost will increase beyond the paver patio price estimate of $10 to $19 per square foot. Inch Calculator prices the job at $11 to $26, which includes some of those “extras,” while HomeGuide’s estimate of $10 to $17 is a “no frills” price.

After you build your stone patio, you might want to have some landscaping done around your new stone patio. This is another additional cost not included in the actual cost per square foot for the stone pavers and labor. If you’ve spent most of the budget on the patio, here are Budget Friendly Landscape Projects ideal for DIY.

Costs of Related Projects

Here are common projects homeowners also complete when installing a stone pavers patio:

A Patio or Deck Enclosure – This is one reason a gas fire pit is preferred to a wood pit – it can be burned beneath an enclosure as long as there is ventilation. The cost of an enclosure averages about $64 per square foot, but there are many factors which affect cost and could make it significantly more affordable or costly.

Block Retaining Wall – At about $16 per square foot for pro installation, a retaining wall is often needed when sloped ground is cut into to provide space for the deck, such as outside of a walkout basement.

Lawn Irrigation / Sprinkler System – If plants or a new lawn are part of the landscape makeover, an irrigation system will prove useful. Typical cost for a system covering 1/4 acre is about $3,000. Where water is expensive or in short supply, consider a drip irrigation system for an average cost of $320. They’re ideal in desert areas where turf is replaced by stone, and the irrigation of a few select plants is needed.

Tree Removal – Depending on the size of the tree, removal cost ranges from about $300 to more than $600 per tree when needed to make room for your stone paver patio. If large trees near the patio need trimming to prevent debris and leaves from cluttering the deck, average cost is around $300.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Building or installing a stone patio is something that you, the homeowner, can tackle and accomplish.  However, the process is very physically demanding and requires the ability to move and lift heavy objects. Porch provides a good overview of the steps required to build your dream stone patio.

If that isn’t your style, or you simply don’t have time for the work, it is best left up to a landscaper or a general contractor.

Pro Tip: If your long-term project plans include a paver patio, retaining wall and fire pit, considering hiring the same landscaper or contactor to do all the work to ensure that the quality of work is the same and the materials used match or complement the patio materials.