A professionally installed paver patio usually costs $8 to $24 per sq ft, or about $3,350 for an average 280 sq ft patio. Concrete pavers sit at the low end, and natural stone and flagstone at the high end. Doing it yourself, the materials for a 12 x 16 ft concrete paver patio come to about $1,275.
Count your pavers first. The free paver calculator works out pavers, base gravel, bedding sand, joint sand, and edging for your patio, with prices you can edit.
Paver patio cost by size
| Patio size | Area | Installed ($8 to $24/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft | 100 sq ft | $800 to $2,400 |
| 12 x 12 ft | 144 sq ft | $1,150 to $3,460 |
| 12 x 16 ft | 192 sq ft | $1,540 to $4,610 |
| 16 x 16 ft | 256 sq ft | $2,050 to $6,140 |
| 20 x 20 ft | 400 sq ft | $3,200 to $9,600 |
Paver prices by material
| Paver type | Material cost per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Interlocking concrete | $3 to $6 |
| Concrete pavers | $4 to $6 |
| Brick | $4 to $8 |
| Natural stone | $7 to $16 |
| Flagstone | $13 to $30 |
Labor usually adds about $5 to $15 per sq ft, or $50 to $80 per hour. Labor is often more than half the bill, since most of the work is in digging out and compacting the base.
What else affects the cost
- Base depth: patios need about 4 in of compacted gravel, and driveways 8 to 12 in. Poor or wet soil may need more, plus geotextile fabric.
- Grading: leveling an uneven or sloped yard can add $770 to $3,000.
- Pattern and cuts: herringbone and circles take more cutting and waste than a running bond.
- Curves and borders: soldier-course borders and curved edges add labor.
- Access: if a skid steer cannot reach the yard, the base gets moved by wheelbarrow.
- Extras: steps, seat walls, fire pits, and lighting.
DIY paver patio: materials only
Here is what the paver calculator lists for a 12 x 16 ft patio with 6 x 9 in concrete pavers, a 4 in base, and fabric:
- 538 pavers (6 x 9 in)
- 4.5 tons of paver base gravel
- 1 ton of bedding sand
- 4 bags of polymeric joint sand
- 6 pieces of edge restraint with spikes
- 1 roll of geotextile fabric, plus bulk delivery
- About $1,275 in materials, or roughly $6.60 per sq ft
A 10 x 10 ft patio comes to about $740. Add a plate compactor rental and a saw or splitter for cuts. Compare that with $1,540 to $4,610 installed for the 12 x 16 size.
Pavers vs concrete
- Pavers usually cost more up front than a plain concrete patio, which runs about $6 to $12 per sq ft.
- Pavers handle freeze-thaw well, and a cracked or sunken paver can be pulled and reset.
- Stamped concrete can land in the same price range as concrete pavers.
Upkeep
- Sweep and refill joint sand as needed, and pull weeds before they spread.
- Sealing is optional. It can deepen the color and help with stains, but it has to be redone every few years.
- Low spots usually mean the base settled. Lift the pavers, add and compact base, and relay them.
FAQ
How much does a 12×12 paver patio cost?
About $1,150 to $3,460 installed, depending on the paver and your area.
Is it cheaper to lay pavers yourself?
Yes, often by half or more, since labor is the biggest cost. It is heavy work: a 12 x 16 patio means moving about 5.5 tons of gravel and sand, plus the pavers.
How many pavers do I need?
About 2.67 per sq ft for 6 x 9 in pavers, and 4.5 per sq ft for 4 x 8 in pavers, plus 5 to 10% for cuts. The paver calculator does the math for any size and pattern.
How long does a paver patio last?
With a good base, 25 years or more. Individual pavers can be replaced as needed.