What is the average cost of a concrete patio? [2024]

Concrete can be a practical and attractive patio surface, with many options to choose from including coloured, patterned and polished concrete in addition to plain concrete. But how much does a concrete patio cost?

Read this guide to find out more about your options and the prices you can expect to pay for a concrete patio, including:

• How much does concreting cost?
• What are your concrete patio options?
• Coloured concrete patio cost
• Exposed aggregate concrete patio cost
• Stencilled concrete patio cost
• Stamped concrete patio cost
• Polished concrete patio cost
• What affects the cost of a concrete patio?
• Getting quotes from concrete patio builders

How much does concreting cost?

On average, concreting costs between $60 and $85 per square metre. $60 per m2 is the lower end of the scale for concreting on a level surface. Concreting on a sloping or hard to access site or where excavating is required will cost more. If the area has a steep slope, you may also have to pay for a retaining wall to hold the soil.

Concreting a patio is usually more expensive than concreting a driveway. Most driveways can be concreted directly from a concrete truck, but concreting a patio may involve using a concrete mixer and transporting concrete and sand to the site, adding to the labour cost.

What are your concrete patio options?

When most people think of concrete, plain concrete is usually what comes to mind. This can be an option if grey suits your patio, as long as it's applied professionally and is sealed against moisture, but it isn't the only option.

If you don't want grey concrete, your concreter can also discuss options such as coloured concrete and techniques to resurface concrete with patterns or to look like brick, stone or other materials to create a stunning patio floor.

Choosing decorative concrete will add to your concrete patio cost. Plain concrete is the least expensive option, followed by:

• Coloured concrete costs $75–$90 per square metre
• Exposed aggregate costs $100–$150 per square metre
• Stencilled concrete costs $100–$150 per square metre
• Stamped concrete costs from $120–$200 per square metre
• Polished concrete costs $50–$100 per square metre on top of the concreting cost

See our 8 design ideas for concrete driveways that can also be applied to a concrete patio.

Coloured concrete patio cost

Coloured concrete is the least expensive option for a decorative concrete patio, costing $75 to $90 per square metre on average.

Colour can be added to the concrete mix or painted over existing concrete. Colour added to the mix can last longer because the colour penetrates the concrete and doesn't wear off over time. Painted concrete can also last a long time, but it will eventually have to be repainted.

Coloured concrete made with acid dyes can create interesting effects with more subtle colours than when a pigment is applied.

Exposed aggregate concrete patio cost

Like driveways, concrete patios can be given an exposed aggregate (also called pebblecrete) surface, costing between $100 and $150 per square metre. The process is the same as for a pebbled driveway and involves adding pebbles to the mix and using special tools to keep the pebbles on top of the concrete.

The pebbles will give the patio a rougher surface, but the surface will still be flat so you can easily install furniture on the pebbled surface. Pebblecrete comes in a variety of colours or they can be mixed to create a multi-coloured patio.

Stencilled concrete patio cost

A stencilled concrete patio can be made to look exactly like pavers or other materials, with blocks and depressions between the "pavers." It can be difficult to tell the difference between a paved patio and a stencilled concrete patio, but concrete is the cheaper option at $100 to $150 per square metre.

Stencilled concrete can have a variety of colours and subtle textures. For example, the pavers can be one colour and the space between the pavers can be another colour.

Stamped concrete patio cost

Stencilling can be combined with stamping to give your concrete patio a more authentic natural stone texture. If you want the stone look, but can't afford to lay natural stones, a stamped concrete patio can be a cheaper alternative at $120 to $200 per square metre.

Stamping is generally the most expensive option for a concrete patio, because the concreter has to colour the concrete, stencil it and stamp it. It can cost about the same price as polished concrete, but in some cases may cost more.

Polished concrete patio cost

Polished concrete has become a popular option for indoor areas, but it can also be used outdoors for patios when you get polished concrete with a non-slippery surface. It's one of the more expensive options at $50 to $100 per square metre on top of the concreting cost, but it can be worth the extra cost when you see what a stunning finish polished concrete can have.

There are several ways to polish concrete, and the price will depend on the method used. On average, polishing concrete costs around $50 per m2 for the least expensive method called grind and seal, while mechanically polished floors can cost $100 per m2 or more. The price may also depend on:

• The condition of the existing floor (if you already have a concrete slab)
• Whether aggregates are included
• The polish level you choose
• Any access problems

Read more: How much do polished concrete floors cost?

What affects the cost of a concrete patio?

How much a concrete patio costs depends on the type of concrete you choose and other factors, including:

• The area of the patio
• Whether the ground is flat or sloping
• Excavation costs
• Access problems
• Drainage issues

If you want stencilled, stamped or polished concrete, you will need to have a concrete slab laid first, if you don't have one already. If you want coloured concrete, the colour can be added to the concrete mix or you can buy concrete paint and paint over the concrete.

If the block is sloping, you may need to have a retaining wall built. This may need to be built by a retaining wall specialist.

Getting quotes from concrete patio builders

Because patios are in the back of the house, they may cost more to concrete than a driveway, which is more easily accessible. When you get quotes from concreters, make sure you tell them:

• The size of the area
• Whether it is flat or sloping
• Whether there are any access problems
• The type of finish you want

Your initial quotes will be more accurate if you provide concreters with details about the project. They will inspect the site and give you a firm quote, but you may also have other costs. Keep in mind that not all concreters will be able to resurface or polish concrete, so specify the type of finish you want and get quotes from concreters who can create the type of concrete patio floor you want.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.