How Much Does a Stone Patio Cost?

Average Stone Patio Cost

The average cost to install a stone patio ranges from about $3,900 to $15,000 for a 300 square foot area. Regardless of the stone you choose, labor stays right in the $8 to $15 range, mostly depending on where you live. Materials make or break the budget, ranging from $5 to $35 per square foot.

Patio Stones Prices

Cost ranges remain similar unless you’re buying truckloads, but you should know the various patio stone prices based on how you’re measuring and plan to purchase:

• Single paver: $3–$16

• Pallet: $250–$2,000

• Per square foot: $5–$15 per square foot (but some stones get to $35 per square foot)

Stone Patio Costs per Square Foot

Generally, you’ll pay between $15 to $30 per square foot for most real stone paver patios. Before purchasing any materials, you’ll want to decide how big you want the patio to be. Check out these common patio sizes to get an estimate of what you’ll pay in total based on the size you’re looking for:

Keep in mind that that stone often comes in irregularly shaped pieces. Unfortunately, that means it’s almost impossible to put a price on each piece; many of these come in kits of varying sizes to make a square area. For example, a kit or “patio-on-a-pallet” comes complete with pre-cut pavers to make a multi-size pattern without the need to measure or cut.

Stone Patio Costs by Type

Material also impacts your stone patio's cost. Below is a breakdown of various common stone patio materials and the price of each.

Sandstone and Other Flagstones

The cheapest stone for a patio, besides gravel or decomposed granite, is a flagstone made from sandstone. Sandstone and flagstone pavers cost $11 to $30 per square foot to install. They’re one of the most popular and cost-effective methods of turning your backyard into a rustic oasis. Most often, sandstone comes in natural shapes, meaning irregularly shaped. This takes a bit longer for the pro to install, so expect to add $1 to $2 per square foot for labor.

Limestone and Travertine

Limestone or travertine pavers cost $13 to $30 per square foot to install. Travertine pavers cost $9 to $17 on average to install. If you already have a hard base, like a concrete surface, you can simply install these materials as tile instead of a paver. Natural stone tile costs $900 to $2,500 to install.

Bluestone

Bluestone costs anywhere from $13 to $30 per square foot to install. It’s a natural, quarried product usually consisting of either sandstone or limestone. It’s called bluestone mainly because of its bluish-gray appearance. This material is naturally smooth and flat, making it an ideal type of stone for patios and walkways.

Marble Pavers and Tile

Marble pavers cost anywhere from $15 to $35 per square foot to install. Many homeowners choose to use this luxurious material because of its polished, upscale look. If you already have a durable surface, like a concrete patio, you can save some money by using tile. Marble tile floor installation costs $10 to $20 per square foot.

Slate Patio

You’ll pay $15 to $40 per square foot for a slate patio. Make sure to use slate paving stones and not slate tile. The thinner tile doesn’t have the strength for use outside, unless applied like a veneer, over the top of an existing pathway, patio, or reinforced deck. If you already have a concrete or reinforced patio you’re looking to cover, slate tile installation costs$13 to $35 per square foot.

Granite Cobblestone Patio

Granite cobblestones cost anywhere from $18 to $50 per square foot to install. It’s one of the more costly pavers but has a unique look you can’t get with other types of pavers. To save money, you can get a similar look using concrete cobblestone for about half the price.

Gravel Patio Cost

For a simple patio idea with natural stone, 200 square feet of pea gravel costs $300 to $400. Area prep and labor can bring that number closer to $1,500 to $2,500. You’ll pay $1 to $4 per square foot for the materials or about $5 to $10 per square foot for a complete install, including labor. It’s a great cost-effective way to add more space for outdoor games, grills or simply parking.

Crushed and Decomposed Granite Patios

Decomposed granite costs $0.30 to 0.70 per square foot or $60 to $185 per ton. It is a relatively inexpensive patio material and spreads much like gravel. Labor costs around $70 to $80 per hour. Decomposed granite comes as a compactable sand-like substance perfect for making both walkways and patios.

Stone Walkway Cost

A stone walkway costs the same as a patio, or $15 to $30 per square foot on average to install. Though you might spend as little as $8 and up to $50 per square foot. The same processes apply in both cases. Because you typically pay for stone by square foot, the larger/longer your walkway is, the more it will cost to complete the project.

Cost Factors to Building a Stone Patio

Cost factors you’ll need to consider when building your stone patio include everything from the patio design to permits and design fees.

Stone Patio with Fire Pit

A fire pit costs $300 to $1,400. It’s usually a little cheaper to install one during the build phase, but you can always put one in later too. Just make sure to leave an area for it in your stone patio’s design if you’re planning to incorporate one later so you don’t have to demolish any part of your patio.

Stone Patio with an Outdoor Kitchen

Installing an outdoor kitchen costs $4,500 to $21,000. That can easily more than double the price of a stone patio. Some large and luxury kitchens even exceed $50,000. The size, type of countertops and appliances you install, whether or not you have a built-in grill or fire pit, and the finishes you choose will all impact the overall price of the project.

Permits and Utilities

Adding utilities for lights, pools, kitchens, fire pits, and any type of gas-fired appliance adds both cost and the need to permit. Always check with your contractor and local building code enforcement agency for permitting requirements.

• Electrical costs $500–$2,000

• Plumbing fees run $400–$1,900

• Gas lines cost $15–$25 per linear foot

• Permits cost $300–$1,900

Landscape and Stone Patio Design

Landscape design fees run around $2,000 to $7,200 total on average, with most pros charging $50 to $150 per hour of labor. For basic patios, a landscaper can take care of the design and installation. But for intricate projects, you’ll want tohire a landscape designer near youwho specializes in landscapes and hardscapes.

Grading and Leveling

The cost to level or regrade a yard is around $2,000 on average but ranges between $1,000 to $3,200 based on the area’s size and incline. Specifically for a patio, most homeowners can expect to pay $12 to $20 per cubic yard. That means a 12-by-12-foot patio would cost around $576 to $960 to level and grade.

Enhanced Drainage

Patio drainage costs $10 to $50 per linear foot. Most patios with a natural slope won’t need an extra drain, but flat patios will to avoid pooling water. For those that do, there are a couple different types of drains to choose from, including a French drain configured beneath the patio and a slope drain placed on the outside to flow water downhill.

DIY Stone Patios vs. Hiring a Pro

Patios make excellent DIY projects—if you have 40 to 50 hours of time to do it, not to mention the equipment and the know-how. If you do, it’s hard to make mistakes that’ll cost you anything more than time. For example, if you forget to tamp the soil and gravel correctly, you’ll end up with raised and sinking spots, meaning a redo of the entire project.

However, stone patios often utilize high-end materials for your outdoor space. If you’re going to the expense of putting in the finest quality patio, you’re best off having it professionally installed for the finest quality finish. If you want a professional, clean, high-end look, hire a patio installer near you.