What should you expect to pay for stamped concrete

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT TO PAY FOR A 500-SQUARE-FOOT STAMPED CONCRETE PATIO?

Once a week, I post a newsletter called "What Should You Expect to Pay?"

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This week, we're talking about installing a 500-square-foot stamped concrete patio.

Stamped concrete is a great way to improve a backyard or outdoor entertaining area. You can choose from many different patterns and colors to get the appearance of stone, slate, brick or pavers.

CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR

First, hire a properly licensed contractor. Verify that the contractor carries liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.

Make sure you receive a detailed written contract explaining exactly what is included: excavation, base material, concrete thickness, reinforcement, color, stamp pattern, sealing and cleanup.

In California, the down payment on most home-improvement contracts cannot exceed $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less.

SITE PREPARATION

For our example, we'll assume we have a reasonably accessible backyard and are starting with an area that needs normal excavation and preparation.

The contractor will typically:

• Lay out the 500-square-foot patio
• Excavate and remove soil as necessary
• Install and compact the base material
• Set the forms
• Install reinforcement
• Establish the proper slope for drainage

Don't underestimate the importance of preparation. Concrete is only as good as the base underneath it.

HOW MUCH CONCRETE DO WE NEED?

At 4 inches thick, a 500-square-foot patio requires approximately 6.2 cubic yards of concrete.

I would order approximately 7 cubic yards to allow for normal waste, variations in excavation and concrete thickness.

COLOR AND STAMPING

Before the pour, the homeowner chooses the color and stamp pattern.

Popular patterns include:

• Ashlar slate
• Flagstone
• Cobblestone
• Wood plank
• Brick

Once the concrete is placed, the crew screeds and finishes the slab. When the concrete reaches the proper consistency, the stamping process begins.

Timing is extremely important. You only have a certain amount of time to stamp the concrete correctly before it becomes too hard to work.

After curing, the patio is cleaned and a concrete sealer is applied to protect the finished surface.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT TO PAY?

For a professionally installed 500-square-foot stamped concrete patio, I would recommend budgeting approximately:

$10,000–$15,000

That's approximately $20–$30 per square foot, depending on site conditions, access, preparation, concrete pricing, pattern and finish.

For a good-quality project with normal access and preparation, around $12,500 would be a reasonable planning number.

If an existing patio needs to be demolished, access is difficult, a concrete pump is required, extensive grading or drainage is needed, or the homeowner chooses multiple colors, borders or an elaborate stamp pattern, expect the price to increase.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A stamped concrete patio isn't just about pouring concrete.

Proper excavation, a compacted base, reinforcement, drainage, concrete placement, stamping and sealing all contribute to a patio that looks great and lasts.

For our 500-square-foot stamped concrete patio, I would budget approximately $12,500.

Don't automatically choose the lowest bid. Make sure you're comparing the same scope of work and that everything is included in writing.

Rick Robben Construction

Quality work starts with doing the job right from the ground up.