Paving Costs
Choosing Hardscape Materials

The most important determining factor of your paving costs will be the paving material that you select. Here you will discover what those actual costs are and other factors that may affect your project. I am going to refer to patio costs, although the information applies to all projects, whether it be for a patio, walkway, or driveway.

Although the differences in material pricing the most important aspect, here are some additional things that might also impact project costs:

• extent of grading, including excavating and fill


• square footage, or size, of your patio, walkway, driveway, etc.


• if your design includes a raised terrace, this often necessitates side walls and steps, which cost more


• which part of the country you live in


• the contractor that you select

Below are the costs of different paving materials. This will help you see how the prices per square foot can differ. Take your design, plug in the different square foot prices for different materials and see how they differ. Labor for installation is included in the prices.

For more specific information and pricing on all areas of landscaping, take a look at my ebook Landscaping Costs.

This is quite inexpensive if the simplest method is used. There are actually three different types of decomposed granite. When it is used alone (the simplest method), it should cost around $7.00 per square foot. This would include edging to hold it in place and help keep it from eroding.

Concrete Patio Costs

One of the least expensive paving materials is concrete. Concrete pricing should be in the area of about $8.00 per square foot, perhaps less if there is a lot of square footage. A concrete patio designs do not have to be boring. It can be made more interesting by creating a pattern. A nice concrete patio idea is to score the concrete into eighteen inch squares.

You can also add color to the concrete. Beige, gray, or even a soft peach can be interesting. Do not add the color after the concrete is poured, as it can come off over time. Instead, have the contractor mix the color right into the concrete. In this way the color is throughout the mortar and has longevity.

Stamped Concrete Patios

Stamped concrete would be the next price, going up the scale, being more expensive than plain concrete. The paving costs for this material run about $9.00 per square foot. There are many designs and finishes available. However, construction joints can ruin a design. For example, a free-form design made to look like stone should have no straight joint lines. The lines should be shaped naturally, following the shape of the stones. However, long, straight construction joints are needed to help keep the concrete from cracking. These run through the design. It is not very attractive.

Paver Cost - Concrete Pavers

Concrete pavers are a popular choice. They are more costly than stamped concrete. Many of the nice looking pavers of today are tumbled to give a stone-like appearance. Paving costs for pavers will be in the neighborhood of $15.00 per square foot.

Brick Cost

Brick is a paver made from clay. It is a natural product, the natural material I have mentioned thus far. The brick of today is made very strong. In fact, it is being used on driveways and streets. Brick paving costs will be about the same or a little more than pavers, if it is dry laid.

Much more detailed pricing can be found in my ebook Landscaping Costs.

Travertine Pavers

Travertine pavers are also a natural material. They are easily laid due to their pre-cut shapes. Typically they are dry laid. They will be priced at about $20.00 per square foot, give or take. Travertine pavers come in beautiful colors and various patterns. There are many advantages to this paving material, such as being cool on your feet. (That's just one asset...there are many more)!

Bluestone Patios

Bluestone, dry laid, would be next in costs. You can figure a cost of around $22.00 per square foot. As mentioned above, this might be more or less, depending on the contractor. However, be sure the contractor will cut the stone if necessary, as geometric shaped bluestones can be uneven. This is very important for creating bluestone patios that look professional.

Natural Stone Or Brick Set in Concrete

Brick or any type of natural stone set in concrete are among the most expensive paving costs. There is a huge range, but assume that it will not be less than $50.00 per square foot and can be much more. One of the reasons for this is that an entire concrete foundation must be laid.

A word of advice.....do not get hung up on a particular material. It is the patio, walkway or driveway design, along with the total landscape that will provide a beautiful outdoor living space.

I also provide many project pictures showing what something looks like in case you are not sure.

Related Pages
decomposed granite
concrete patio designs
concrete pavers
paver suppliers
brick patterns
brick walkways
travertine pavers
bluestone patios
paving contractor selection

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