Comparison of Paver Patios, Poured Concrete, and Decking
Updated May 2026
If you’re planning a patio installation, the first question on your mind is probably: how much is this going to cost? The honest answer depends on size, material, and what’s included in the installation.
At Elevate Outdoor, we’ve completed thousands of paver patio projects across the Midwest and Northeast. Our ICPI-certified foremen and Belgard Master Craftsman-certified team have been designing and building paver patios since 2004. In this article, we’ll walk you through the costs involved in paver patio installation and design.
How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost?
A paver patio typically costs between $30 and $50 per square foot installed, depending on the material, patio size, and site conditions. Smaller patios may exceed this range due to the fixed costs associated with labor, material delivery, and other installation costs. For most residential projects using concrete pavers (the most popular choice for Midwest and Northeast climates), the total installed cost falls between $30 and $40 per square foot.
That means a typical 200–400 square foot patio runs roughly $7,500 to $14,000 installed, all-in.
Natural stone pavers (like bluestone or travertine) run higher, typically $40–$50 per square foot installed, due to material costs and more specialized labor.
Paver Patio Cost by Size
Use this table as a starting point for budgeting. These are typical installed cost ranges for concrete pavers, which represent the majority of residential patio projects.
| Patio Size | Square Feet | Estimated Cost (Concrete Pavers) |
| 10 x 10 | 100 sq ft | $5,500+ |
| 12 x 12 | 144 sq ft | $6,500+ |
| 15 x 15 | 225 sq ft | $7,500+ |
| 16 x 20 | 320 sq ft | $8,000 – $11,200 |
| 20 x 20 | 400 sq ft | $10,000 – $14,000 |
| 20 x 30 | 600 sq ft | $15,000 – $21,000 |
Note: These are general estimates. Your actual cost will vary based on site conditions, design complexity, add-ons (fire pits, seat walls, lighting), and material selection. The best way to get an accurate number is a complimentary on-site consultation with an experienced contractor.
What’s Included in the Installed Cost?
When you see a per-square-foot price for a paver patio installation, here’s what a quality contractor should be including:
Site Preparation
Excavation, grading, and removal of existing materials (grass, concrete, or old pavers). If you have an existing concrete patio that needs to come out, expect to add $2–$6 per square foot for demo and haul-away.
Base Installation
A properly installed paver patio requires a compacted gravel base (typically 4–6 inches deep) to provide drainage and structural stability. This is what separates a patio that lasts 25+ years from one that shifts and sinks within a few seasons. In Missouri and the Northeast, where freeze-thaw cycles are intense, base depth and quality are especially critical.
Pavers and Materials
The cost of the pavers themselves, plus edge restraints and polymeric sand (the jointing material that locks pavers in place and prevents weed growth).
Labor
Installation labor from trained, experienced crews. At Elevate Outdoor, our foremen are ICPI-certified and have been building to ICPI standards in Missouri since 2004.
Cleanup and Final Grade
A professional installation leaves your yard clean, with proper drainage slope and a finished edge.
What’s typically NOT included:
Landscaping restoration around the patio area, major drainage work, retaining walls, or add-on features like fire pits or outdoor kitchens.
Cost to Replace a Paver Patio vs. New Installation
Replacing an existing patio costs more than building on bare ground, but often not as much as homeowners expect, and it’s almost always worth it.
Here’s why homeowners replace their patios, and what to budget:
- Replacing a cracked or heaving concrete patio: Concrete removal typically adds $2–$6 per square foot to your project cost. So if you’re replacing a 300 sq ft concrete patio with pavers, budget an additional $600–$1,800 on top of your paver installation cost. On the bright side, once the concrete is gone, you have a clean slate for a patio that will actually hold up to freeze-thaw cycles.
- Replacing an old wood deck with pavers: We’ve done this for many homeowners. Deck demolition and disposal costs vary based on size and construction, but the switch to pavers is almost always cost-positive over a 10-year horizon because you eliminate ongoing staining, sealing, board replacement, and pest treatment costs.
- Replacing an existing paver patio: If your current paver patio was improperly installed (common with DIY or low-bid contractors), the base often needs to be rebuilt from scratch. If the base is solid, individual pavers can often be replaced without full demolition, which is one of the biggest advantages pavers have over concrete.
Understanding Your Material Options
When choosing patio materials, the installed cost is only part of the picture. Long-term maintenance, durability, and how the material performs in your specific climate all matter.
Concrete PaversÂ
Average installed cost: $30–40 per square foot
Concrete pavers are the most popular choice for residential patios in four-season climates, and they’re what we recommend most often. They’re available in dozens of styles, colors, and sizes from premium manufacturers like Belgard and Unilock, so you can achieve virtually any aesthetic from rustic and casual to sleek and modern.
The key advantage in the Midwest and Northeast: concrete pavers are engineered to flex slightly with Missouri’s clay soils and extreme freeze-thaw cycles, allowing the patio to move without cracking. And if a paver does get damaged, you replace that individual piece, not the whole patio.
Related Reading: How to Choose the Right Paver Patio Color Palette
Natural Stone PaversÂ
Average installed cost: $40–$50 per square foot
Natural stone pavers like bluestone, travertine, flagstone offer unmatched character and a genuinely premium look. The initial cost is higher, but their longevity and the curb appeal they add can make them a strong investment for high-end projects or historically styled homes.
Related Reading: Types of Natural Stone for Paver Patios
Poured Concrete
Average installed cost: $16–30 per square foot
Poured concrete is less expensive upfront but has a well-documented weakness in freeze-thaw climates: cracking. Unlike pavers, you can’t replace a section — you fill the crack or tear out the entire slab. Over a 10–15 year window, the maintenance and eventual replacement costs often exceed what you’d have spent on pavers from the start.
Wood Decking
Average installed cost: $50–$150 per square foot
Wood decking has a warm, natural appeal, but it demands consistent maintenance: annual staining or sealing, board replacement as rot or warping sets in, and ongoing pest treatment in some climates. We’ve removed a lot of wood decks for St. Louis homeowners who decided the maintenance cycle wasn’t worth it — and replaced them with paver patios they don’t have to think about.
Why Paver Patios Are the Smart Long-Term Choice
For homeowners in the Midwest and Northeast, paver patios consistently outperform the alternatives when you look at the total cost of ownership over 10–20 years.
- Durability in harsh climates. Missouri’s clay soils shift significantly with seasonal moisture changes, and freeze-thaw cycles are hard on any rigid surface. Concrete and natural stone pavers are specifically engineered to handle this because they flex slightly rather than crack.
- Minimal maintenance. A periodic rinse and an occasional re-sanding of the joints are typically all a well-installed paver patio needs. No staining, no sealing cycles, no worrying about rot or pests.
- Repairability. This is underrated: if a paver is ever damaged or stained beyond cleaning, you replace that paver. The repair cost is minimal, and the result is invisible. Compare that to a patched concrete slab or replaced deck boards, which always show.
- ROI on your home. A well-designed paver patio is a genuine value-add. Research consistently shows that hardscaping projects recover a significant portion of their cost in home resale value — and a beautiful patio makes your home far more compelling to buyers.
- Belgard Master Craftsman installation. Elevate Outdoor is the only Belgard Master Craftsman contractor in the Greater St. Louis area — the highest certification a hardscape contractor can earn. Our ICPI-certified foremen back every patio with a 2-year hardscape warranty, so your investment is protected.
Paver Patio Cost with Add-Ons
Your outdoor space should reflect your personal aesthetic, enhance your lifestyle, and add value to your home. Our team of landscaping and hardscaping experts is here to guide you through every step of the process, from design to installation, ensuring that your new patio exceeds your expectations. For a free custom quote, connect with an Elevate Outdoor expert today.
Most homeowners don’t stop at a flat patio surface, and the add-ons are often what make a space truly special. Here are typical cost ranges for common additions:
| Add-On Feature | Typical Cost Range |
| Fire pit (paver or stone) | $2,500 – $8,000+ |
| Seat walls | $150 – $300 per linear foot |
| Outdoor kitchen / built-in grill | $5,000 – $30,000+ |
| Retaining wall | $50 – $125 per square foot |
| Landscape lighting | $300 per fixture |
| Pergola or shade structure | $13,000-$25,000++ |
Elevate provides a complete 3D design and detailed quote before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paver Patio Costs
How much does a paver patio cost per square foot?
Concrete paver patios typically cost $30–40 per square foot installed, including labor, base preparation, and materials. Natural stone pavers run $40–$50 per square foot installed.
How much does a 20×20 paver patio cost?
A 20×20 paver patio (400 square feet) typically costs $10,000–$14,000 installed using concrete pavers. Natural stone would run $16,000–$20,000 for the same size.
How much does a 12×12 paver patio cost?
A 12×12 patio (144 square feet) typically starts at $6,500 installed with concrete pavers.
Is a paver patio cheaper than concrete?
The upfront installed cost of poured concrete ($16–$30/sq ft) can be slightly less than concrete pavers ($30–$40/sq ft), but poured concrete in four-season climates almost always requires costly crack repairs or full replacement within 10–15 years. Over time, pavers are more cost-effective.
How much does it cost to replace a patio with pavers?
Replacing an existing concrete patio with pavers adds $2–$6 per square foot in demo costs. A 300 sq ft replacement project would typically run $8,100–$12,300 total (demo + new paver installation).
What affects the cost of a paver patio the most?
The biggest cost variables are: patio size, material selection (concrete vs. natural stone), site conditions (slope, existing materials to remove, soil issues), design complexity (curves, patterns, multiple levels), and add-on features like fire pits or seat walls.
How long does a paver patio last?
A properly installed paver patio can last 25–50 years with minimal maintenance. The key is proper base installation — which is why ICPI certification and installation standards matter so much.
Do paver patios increase home value?
Yes. A well-designed paver patio is one of the better ROI outdoor improvements you can make. It adds a functional outdoor living space and visual appeal that buyers notice and value.
Is it cheaper to DIY a paver patio?
Materials alone for a DIY paver patio run $10–$20 per square foot, so the savings can seem significant. However, improper base installation — the most common DIY mistake — leads to shifting, sinking, and weed growth within a few years. Many of the projects we’re hired to fix or rebuild were originally DIY installs.
How do I get an accurate paver patio cost estimate?
The most accurate way is an on-site quote from an experienced contractor. At Elevate Outdoor, we begin every project with a complimentary design consultation — we’ll assess your space, walk through your design ideas, and provide a detailed quote with no obligation.
Start Your Paver Patio Project
Your outdoor space should reflect your personal aesthetic, enhance your lifestyle, and add value to your home. Whether you’re starting from scratch or replacing an existing patio, our team is here to guide you through every step — from complimentary 3D design to professional installation backed by a 2-year hardscape warranty.
Connect with an Elevate Outdoor expert today to schedule your complimentary design consultation!
