Paver patio cost per square foot
Estimates from this calculator's default prices for a patio on a 4 in gravel base, laid in a straight pattern, with the dug-out soil hauled away. Your local prices will differ, so change the defaults above to match quotes or supplier prices near you.
| Patio | Standard concrete pavers | Premium pavers | Natural stone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 (100 sq ft) | $2,000–$3,000 | $2,200–$3,300 | $2,500–$3,750 |
| 12×12 (144 sq ft) | $2,750–$4,100 | $3,000–$4,500 | $3,450–$5,150 |
| 10×20 (200 sq ft) | $3,600–$5,400 | $4,000–$5,950 | $4,600–$6,900 |
| 20×20 (400 sq ft) | $6,800–$10,200 | $7,550–$11,350 | $8,750–$13,150 |
Per square foot, standard concrete pavers come to about $20–$30 installed for a 10×10 patio and $17–$26 for a 20×20 with these defaults. Labor is most of the price, so the paver you choose changes the total less than you might expect.
How much does a 12x12 paver patio cost?
A 12×12 patio is 144 sq ft. With standard concrete pavers it comes to about $2,750–$4,100 installed here. Materials are about $923: $476 of pavers with 5% extra for cuts, $270 for 3.5 tons of base gravel and 1 ton of bedding sand delivered, $105 for three bags of polymeric joint sand and $72 for 36 ft of edge restraint. Labor is about 26 worker hours, and hauling away about 3.3 cubic yards of dug-out soil adds $131.
How much does a 20x20 paver patio cost?
A 20×20 patio (400 sq ft) runs about $6,800–$10,200 with standard concrete pavers, $7,550–$11,350 with premium tumbled pavers and $8,750–$13,150 with natural stone. A herringbone pattern or curved borders take more cutting: about $7,500–$11,300 for the standard pavers. A 6 in base instead of 4 in, which is common on clay or wet ground, brings it to about $7,050–$10,550.
Doing it yourself
Doing the 20×20 patio yourself, the materials come to about $2,258 with these defaults. You'd also rent a plate compactor and probably a saw for cuts, and spend most of the time digging out about 7 in of soil and compacting the base in layers. That base work is what keeps pavers from settling, so it's worth doing right.
What changes the price
- Pavers: premium, tumbled or large-format pavers and natural stone cost more per square foot than standard concrete pavers.
- Pattern and shape: herringbone, borders, curves and steps mean more cuts, more waste and more labor.
- Base depth: soft or wet soil, or a patio that cars drive on, needs a deeper base.
- Soil: hauling it away costs money. If you can spread it in the yard, choose "No" above. A 12×12 patio drops to about $2,650–$3,950.
- Access: if a skid steer can't reach the back yard, everything goes in by wheelbarrow.
- Extras: fire pits, seat walls, steps and sealing are priced separately.
How this estimate works
Quantities follow our paver calculator. Standard pavers are $3.15 per sq ft (4×8 in pavers at $0.70 each, 4.5 per sq ft), premium $5 and natural stone $8, plus 5% for cuts (10% for herringbone or curves). The base is 4 in of crushed stone and the bedding sand 1 in, each with 15% extra for compaction, at $40 and $45 a ton, ordered in half tons, plus $85 delivery. Polymeric sand is one $35 bag per 50 sq ft. Edge restraint is $2 a foot for about three sides of a square patio. The contractor's markup on materials is 20%. Labor is 4 hours of setup plus 15 worker hours per 100 sq ft to dig, base, lay, cut and compact, and 15% more for herringbone or curves. Labor is billed at $85 an hour, a rate that includes the contractor's overhead and profit. Soil haul-away is $40 per cubic yard. The range is the result minus 20% to plus 20%. Change any of these above. For comparison, Homewyse puts the national cost to install pavers, including excavation, a 6 in gravel base, sand and edging, at $21.74–$28.49 per sq ft (May 2026); our default 12×12 patio comes to about $24 per sq ft at the middle of its range.
Getting quotes
Get at least three quotes for the same size, paver, pattern and base depth. Ask how deep they dig, how many inches of base they compact and in how many layers, and what edge restraint they use. If a quote is far below this estimate, the base is the first place to look.
Questions
How much does a paver patio cost per square foot?
With this calculator's typical defaults, standard concrete pavers cost about $17–$30 per sq ft installed, depending on size, and natural stone about $22–$38. Smaller patios cost more per square foot.
How much does a 20x20 paver patio cost?
About $6,800–$10,200 with standard concrete pavers, $7,550–$11,350 with premium pavers and $8,750–$13,150 with natural stone, using these defaults.
Is a paver patio cheaper to build yourself?
Yes, if you have the time. Materials for a 20×20 patio are about $2,258 in this estimate, against $6,800–$10,200 installed. Most of the work is digging and compacting the base.
Are pavers more expensive than a concrete patio?
Usually. With our defaults a 20×20 paver patio is about $6,800–$10,200, while our concrete patio estimator puts a broom-finished 20×20 slab at about $3,200–$4,850. Pavers can be repaired one at a time, and they don't crack the way a slab can.