How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost?

Installing a paver patio is an exciting outdoor project, so it’s important to understand the various costs that could shape your budget. The average cost to install a 400-square-foot paver patio is around $12,000 to $16,000, or $30–$40 per square foot. However, these prices may vary, depending on the type of pavers you use, the size and complexity of your patio design, its location, labor requirements, and several other contributing elements. Understanding these variables is key to planning and staying within your budget. In this article, we’ll explore the main factors that impact the cost of your paver patio project.

Factors That Affect Paver Patio Cost

Patio Size

The size of your patio is the biggest factor in the overall cost, as larger paver patios will require additional excavation, bedding materials, and labor to complete. One such solution for this is opting for large format pavers and slabs to efficiently cover the expanded square footage of a sizable patio while requiring less labor to do so.

Patio Shape

Square and rectangular patios can be installed much quicker because they require less precision cutting of pavers. Circular patios, or designs involving curves and borders, may involve more intricate laying patterns and shapes. This will require a higher level of craftsmanship and precision cutting, which will involve additional labor and affect the overall cost.

Labor and Time Investment

The cost of labor includes several essential tasks like site preparation, excavation, laying pavers, installing jointing sand, edge restraints, and the potential of sealing pavers. If your project involves a sloped area, expect higher costs due to potential retaining wall construction. or tricky locations, like a courtyard or narrow backyard, specialized tools and equipment may be necessary to maneuver within the confined space, potentially increasing the overall expense. Additionally, if you’re removing or replacing an existing patio, the cost of removing old pavers, concrete, or other materials, as well as the disposal of those materials, will need to be factored into your budget.

Site Preparation and Soil Conditions

One factor to consider during site preparation is the soil conditions within your job site. Depending on the application, the depth of excavation will change. Additionally, the nature of the subsoil below the surface will affect how much excavation is needed. Generally, the more clayish the subsoil, the more aggregate base is required. The sandier the subsoil, the less base material is required. Understanding the differences in soil conditions is paramount to a successful excavation, base, and ultimately managing the overall cost of your paver installation. (See Chart below)

Geographic Location of Project

The costs of your project may vary, depending on your geographic location. Urban areas often come with higher expenses due to the higher cost of living and operational costs associated with densely populated areas. In turn, these higher expenses may increase the cost of labor and materials, resulting in a higher overall price to tackle a paver patio project in an urban setting.

Project Accessibility

The accessibility of your project space may affect the labor and cost of your project. Hard-to-reach areas of a property, such as a narrow walkway leading around your home to the backyard, steep slopes, or confined spaces, may require specialized machinery to move materials in and out of the site. Transporting heavy pavers, gravel, or other construction materials through tight spaces or up steep grades could not only be physically demanding but may also incur additional costs for equipment rental or labor.

Drainage and runoff management

Depending on the terrain and rainfall in your area, you will need to consider patio drainage to prevent water damage and soil erosion. The cost of installing proper drainage must be factored in at the beginning of your paver patio project to alleviate any future risk of flooding around your paved surface.

Cost of Purchasing Pavers

The cost of purchasing pavers typically accounts for about 20% of your overall project budget. The remaining 80% of your project’s total costs lie beneath the surface, including labor, excavation, base preparation, and additional materials such as polymeric sand, channel drains, edge restraints, and sealers. With so much invested in your project, don’t settle for less – choose high-quality pavers that deliver both the beauty and functionality you want. 

Our paver products are divided into three product lines: Classic, EnduraColor™, and Elegance™. These products vary in terms of style, durability, colorfastness, and any technologies they are manufactured with. As such, the price of these products will vary depending on both the regions that manufacture them, and the dealers that offer them. Be sure to weigh your options before choosing which products you feel are suitable for your paver patio project. (See Chart Below)

Incorporating Outdoor Features

Adding practical features, such as an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, or pergola, can spruce up your paver patio and make it feel like an extension of your home, but these also come at an additional cost that will need to be factored into your project’s budget. 

Here are a few examples of outdoor features that will affect the cost of your paver patio installation: 

• Softscaping: Well-designed softscaping can provide a beautiful backdrop to your patio and enhance its aesthetic appeal. This could include planting flowers, shrubs, or trees, adding raised garden beds, or creating rock gardens.
• Pergola: A 10 x 10 pergola can provide shade and a unique visual element to your patio. It’s a perfect place for hanging plants, string lights, or even fabric for a more dramatic effect.
• Outdoor kitchen: Outdoor kitchens can include a grill, refrigerator, sink, or even a bar area, perfect for hosting barbecues and outdoor parties.
• Fire pit: A fire pit can create a cozy atmosphere and extend the use of your patio into the cooler months. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows or just enjoying the warmth of the fire, fire pits add enjoyment year-round.
• Outdoor landscape lighting: Enhance your paver patio with outdoor lighting to create a charming ambiance at night while simultaneously boosting safety. Strategically placed lights can illuminate walkways, minimizing trip hazards and providing both aesthetic appeal and functionality. Options could include solar lights, string lights, LED fixtures, or even in-ground lighting to enhance the overall ambiance in your space.

It’s important to remember that the costs involved in installing these outdoor features may vary from region to region, depending on the materials needed and the complexity of tasks like preparation, excavation, and installation.

Paver Patio Cost: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional 

When installing a paver patio, there are two options you can consider: tackling the job as a DIY project or hiring a professional contractor. Each choice has its advantages and costs that should be weighed carefully. 

DIY Paver Patio 

Choosing to tackle a DIY paver patio project can be a rewarding experience and can save you money on professional labor in the short term. However, it’s important to consider the potential hidden costs that you may encounter when taking on a DIY project. On top of purchasing the pavers and wall products, homeowners should also consider expenses such as equipment or tool rentals, like a mini-excavator or jackhammer, excavation, and disposal of materials. Check with your local dealer or consult with your local municipality to get an accurate estimate of the costs associated with excavating and disposing of concrete materials.

Depending on the size of the project, you will need to factor in how much time it will take you to complete it. You may need to schedule work in sections over multiple days or weekends to manage it effectively. For larger paver patio projects, consider enlisting the help of friends or family members who can share the labor and expedite the completion of the project.

Before committing to a DIY paver patio, homeowners should assess their confidence in managing the project effectively. Without proper expertise, issues like poor drainage or uneven paver surfaces may arise.

Hiring a Professional Hardscape Contractor 

While a patio installation by a professional hardscape contractor can be more expensive, there are significant benefits that come with hiring a reputable hardscape contractor.

Hardscape contractors bring with them crucial expertise, including knowledge and experience in base preparation, expert design skills, and impeccable project management skills. Reputable contractors should also be able to provide you with the necessary licenses, insurance, contracts, and references that show they’re serious professionals, ensuring you the utmost confidence in their abilities to do the job right.

If you’re considering hiring a professional contractor, we highly recommend working with a Unilock Authorized Contractor. These elite hardscape professionals have met our highest standards for quality and craftsmanship, ensuring they are fully equipped to manage all aspects of your project from start to finish. Their wealth of experience also means they can provide you with invaluable design advice to help guide you in building your dream paver patio, and they offer a comprehensive estimate for your project at no cost. 

What’s more, if you choose to hire a Unilock Authorized Contractor for your project, we will proudly back their work with a minimum two-year Workmanship Guarantee, giving you peace of mind.   

Determining the cost of a paver patio can be challenging due to many factors such as patio size, design complexity, location, subsoil conditions, and labor costs. For an estimate tailored to your specific project, we highly recommend consulting with a Unilock Authorized Contractor. Their expertise and insight will ensure you receive an accurate assessment and proper guidance throughout your project’s journey.