How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost in 2026? (Per Sq Ft by Finish + Permit Rules)
Wondering what a concrete patio really costs? I break down 2026 prices per square foot by finish, a 20x20 estimate, cost drivers, and permit rules.
I'm Brian. I'm a firefighter here in Kansas City, and when I'm not on shift I run PermitDeck. I started this whole thing because I kept watching neighbors and guys at the station get quoted wildly different prices for the same outdoor project and have no way to tell if they were getting a fair shake. A concrete patio is one of the most common ones I get asked about. Somebody wants a spot for the grill and a couple of chairs, they get one number from a friend of a friend and a totally different number from a contractor, and they have no idea which one is real.
So let me lay it out the way I'd tell a buddy over coffee at the firehouse. Real ranges, no fluff, and the permit stuff nobody warns you about until it's a problem.
Quick Answer: A concrete patio typically runs $6 to $20 per square foot, or about $2,400 to $8,000 for a standard 20x20 (400 square foot) patio, depending on the finish you pick. A plain broom finish is the cheapest at $6 to $10 per square foot, and stamped concrete is the priciest at $12 to $20 per square foot.
How much does a concrete patio cost per square foot?
Plan on $6 to $20 per square foot for a poured concrete patio. That's a wide range on purpose, because the finish you choose moves the price more than almost anything else. Here's how the common finishes break down:
For most folks doing a normal backyard patio, the total lands in the low-to-mid four figures. Go big or go stamped and you can climb past that, and I'll show you why below.
What does a 20x20 concrete patio cost?
A 20x20 patio is 400 square feet, which is a genuinely useful size. You can fit a dining set, a grill, and still have room to walk around. Expect that job to run roughly $2,400 to $8,000, a broom finish near the bottom and stamped near the top.
Where you land in that range comes straight down to the finish:
If you want to sanity-check a quote for your own square footage before a contractor ever shows up, run the numbers yourself with our concrete cost calculator. It only takes a minute, and walking into a bid with your own number is the single best thing you can do to avoid overpaying.
What drives the price up or down?
Two patios the exact same size can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars apart. These are the things that actually move the number:
None of these are up-charges or tricks. They're real costs, and a good contractor will walk you through which ones apply to your yard.
Do you need a permit for a concrete patio?
Sometimes, and this is exactly the kind of thing that bites people after the fact. Here's the honest, general version:
The catch is that these rules vary a lot from one city to the next, so the only real answer is to check with your local building department before you pour. A plain ground-level slab often flies under the radar, but I'd never assume. I've watched people pour a beautiful patio and then get a stop-work order or a re-do notice, and that's a brutal, expensive way to learn. We put together a plain-English rundown at our patio permit guide to help you figure out which side of the line your project falls on.
Concrete patio or a deck?
A concrete patio and a deck solve the same problem, which is giving you a place to actually live in your backyard, so it's worth thinking about them side by side. A patio sits on the ground, tends to be lower maintenance, and a plain slab is usually cheaper up front. A deck lets you build up off a slope and gives you that raised, framed look, but it comes with its own material and railing costs.
Plenty of the folks who build one build the other, which is why good concrete crews and deck builders often overlap. If you're weighing the two, it's worth getting a real quote on each before you commit. You can compare local pros through our deck and outdoor-living directory and see what each option actually costs in your area.
How to keep the cost reasonable without cutting corners
A few things I tell everybody who asks:
Ready to get real numbers? Find a verified concrete or deck pro near you and get quotes from people who actually stand behind their work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio?
Most concrete patios run $6 to $20 per square foot, which works out to roughly $2,400 to $8,000 for a standard 20-by-20 patio. The finish is the biggest swing factor: a basic broom finish sits at the low end, while stamped concrete lands at the top. Get your square footage first so you can check any quote against a real number.Is a concrete patio cheaper than a deck?
Often, yes. A plain broom-finish slab on flat ground is usually the most budget-friendly outdoor living space you can build. But it depends on your yard. If you're working with a slope, a deck can actually make more sense because a patio there would need serious grading and prep. Get a quote on both before you decide.Do I need a permit for a concrete patio?
Maybe. Many cities require one once a patio passes a certain size, sits within a setback, is covered, or changes how water drains on your lot. A plain ground-level slab often doesn't need one, but the rules vary by city. Always confirm with your local building department before you pour so you don't risk a costly redo.How much is a 20x20 concrete patio?
A 20x20 patio is 400 square feet and generally runs $2,400 to $8,000. A broom finish lands near the bottom of that range, staining puts you in the middle, and stamped concrete pushes you toward the top. Borders, multiple colors, and heavy site prep can carry you past it.What's the cheapest concrete patio finish?
A broom finish is the most affordable at $6 to $10 per square foot. It's a plain gray slab with a light brushed texture so it isn't slippery, and it's what most people picture as a standard patio. If you want more style later, you can stain that same slab down the road at $8 to $15 per square foot.Why do concrete patio quotes vary so much?
Five things drive it: the size of the slab, the finish and any decorative work, the thickness, how much site prep and grading your yard needs, and how easy it is for the crew to get concrete to the pour. Two patios the same size can be hundreds apart, which is exactly why you should always get more than one quote.Stay safe out there.
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