Build a first-pass patio budget by measuring the finished footprint and choosing one finish category. The published patio ranges vary substantially by surface treatment, and each category is an alternative installed rate. A stamped finish replaces the plain-rate assumption for the area; it is not a premium that should be added a second time to a plain estimate.
Measure the area the crew will place
A rectangular patio uses length × width. A circular patio uses π × radius², where radius is half the measured diameter. For an L-shaped design, divide the plan into rectangles that do not overlap, then add their areas. Measure the final pour boundary rather than the furniture area or the part that looks like the main seating zone.
A 20 ft by 20 ft rectangle is 400 ft². A circular patio with a 12 ft diameter has a 6 ft radius and an area of about 113.10 ft². The latter is far less than a 12 ft by 12 ft square, which is 144 ft². Do not enter a circle’s diameter as if it were its radius. If you need concrete volume after measuring area, use the patio quantity tool with the specified thickness; cost per square foot is still applied to footprint area.
Select the surface treatment
HomeGuide’s patio cost guide, published July 10, 2025, lists plain concrete at $4–$12 per ft², broom finish at $6–$13 per ft², and stamped concrete at $9–$30 per ft². The range widths reflect a planning source rather than a promise that every crew will offer every finish at the same price. Use the category that describes the proposed finish and avoid adding the ranges together.
For a 400 ft² patio, the guide-based plain range is $1,600–$4,800. Broom finish gives $2,400–$5,200, while stamped gives $3,600–$12,000. Changing the selection changes the rate applied to the full area. It does not preserve the plain total and then add a second decorative total. For multiple finish zones, price their separate non-overlapping areas using the best matching category, and obtain a quote for custom borders or mixed patterns.
| Finish category | Reference range | Budget at 400 ft² |
|---|---|---|
| Plain | $4–$12/ft² | $1,600–$4,800 |
| Broom finish | $6–$13/ft² | $2,400–$5,200 |
| Stamped | $9–$30/ft² | $3,600–$12,000 |
Example for a circular patio
For a 12 ft diameter circle, area is π × 6², or about 113.10 ft². Applying the published plain range gives about $452–$1,357; broom finish gives about $679–$1,470; stamped finish gives about $1,018–$3,393. These are rounded planning calculations from the same dated per-area references, not quotes for a circular form.
The geometry changes the measured area, but the source does not give a separate circle multiplier. Do not invent one. A contractor may price extra forming, layout, edge work, or access for a particular plan; ask for those items in the written proposal rather than altering the area-rate data without evidence.
Treat preparation and access as separate questions
A patio’s quoted footprint does not tell you whether excavation, removal of sod, base installation, drainage, reinforcement, a thickened edge, or grading is included. Ask whether the crew is pricing a prepared base or will perform the preparation. Sloped yards and raised patios can require retaining, steps, or additional site work that is outside a basic flat-patio area calculation.
Delivery distance and backyard access can also affect how concrete reaches the forms. A truck may not reach a rear yard; the project may need a pump, buggy, or additional labor. The guide does not provide universal fees for these services. Confirm delivery, pumping, minimum order, waiting time, taxes, and cleanup with the contractor and supplier.
Compare bids by finish and included work
Give each bidder the same plan area, thickness from the project documents, finish sample or written finish description, and access notes. For stamped work, identify the pattern, color treatment, release, sealer, and border if those details matter to your design. The price reference groups finish types broadly; it does not specify a complete decorative package or settle maintenance needs.
Ask whether concrete, forms, reinforcement, labor, finishing, joints, cleanup, and any sealer are included. Mark demolition and landscaping repair separately when relevant. If a proposal is a fixed installed total, compare it with other complete totals. If it is a concrete supply quote, it should not be compared directly to a full installation range.
Separate an installed budget from material ordering
Patio installed ranges are per square foot, while ready-mix material is priced by cubic yard. Do not multiply an installed price by volume, and do not add a materials-only subtotal to a range that already includes concrete. If you are pouring the patio yourself, calculate net volume from area and specified thickness, apply a single allowance to volume, then use the per-yard material reference. Delivery and tax still need supplier confirmation.
This price guide is dated and broad. It helps frame a planning conversation, not establish a local bid or a finish’s suitability. For a project decision, collect written quotes that state area, finish, preparation, access, and exclusions. A reliable comparison comes from matching scope, not from choosing the midpoint of a published range.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a concrete patio cost per square foot?
HomeGuide’s guide published July 10, 2025 lists plain at $4–$12, broom finish at $6–$13, and stamped at $9–$30 per ft². They are planning ranges, not local quotes.
Does stamped concrete get added to the plain patio cost?
No. The stamped range is the rate for the selected finish category. Do not add it on top of the plain range for the same area.
How do I estimate the area of a round patio?
Measure its diameter, divide by two for the radius, and calculate π × radius². A 12 ft diameter circle is about 113.10 ft².
Does the range include a base or excavation?
The published range does not establish every site-preparation item as included. Ask the contractor to identify excavation, base, grading, removal, and drainage scope.
Can I add concrete delivery to the installed estimate?
Only if the quote explicitly excludes it. First check the written scope; adding a material delivery charge to an installed quote may double-count a cost.