Concrete patio installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What concrete patio installation is

A concrete patio is a flat outdoor slab for dining, grilling, lounging or a pool area, poured on a prepared and drained base. People call when the ground behind the house is bare, muddy or sloped the wrong way, or when an old patio has cracked or heaved beyond repair.

Signs you need it

  • The area behind the house is bare dirt or turf that gets muddy, and furniture sinks into it
  • Water pools against the house or runs toward the foundation after rain, and the patio has to pitch it away
  • An old patio has heaved, sunk or cracked into pieces and cannot be patched into a usable surface
  • You want a stable, level surface for a grill, a hot tub or outdoor kitchen that will not shift
  • The door threshold sits above the ground, and a new slab can be set to bring the level up to it
  • A pergola, cover or outdoor room is planned, and it needs a firm, level floor to stand on

What the pro does

  • Mark the patio shape and set grade stakes, then dig out topsoil and soft fill to the depth the design requires
  • Compact a gravel base in layers and set the finish grade so the surface slopes away from the house
  • Build forms to the edge height, with a slight pitch so rain runs off and not toward any wall
  • Place rebar or welded wire mesh, then pour and screed the concrete to the form tops
  • Float the surface, then add the finish you chose, such as a broom texture, a trowel finish or a decorative pattern
  • Cut control joints in a pattern that matches the shape, then cure the slab under wet cover or curing compound

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Patio area and thickness, since a larger slab needs more concrete, base material and reinforcement
  • Excavation depth and how much soft or fill material has to be dug out and replaced
  • The shape of the patio, because curves, steps and corners take more form work and cutting than a plain rectangle
  • The finish, from a standard broom texture to stamped patterns, color or exposed aggregate
  • Access to the backyard for a mixer or wheelbarrows, and whether the pour must go through a gate or side yard
  • Edge details such as a border band, a raised step or a curb that has to be built into the form work

What a written quote should spell out

  • Patio dimensions, slab thickness and the mix grade named in the proposal
  • Base depth, stone type and compaction method, with who checks the grade
  • Reinforcement type, the vapor barrier if used, and the slope direction away from the building
  • The joint pattern, edge detail and the surface finish or color
  • Who handles access, cleanup of excess concrete and hauling of soil or debris
  • Curing method, the date the forms come off and when furniture can go on the slab

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How will you set the slope so water runs away from the house, and how much fall is planned?
  • What base depth and stone do you use, and how do you compact it?
  • Will the patio be thick enough for a hot tub or a grill island, and is reinforcement included?
  • Where will the control joints go, and will they line up with the house or any walkway?
  • What finish do you recommend for a patio that will get wet and be used barefoot?
  • How do you protect the new slab from rain and freezing during curing?
  • Who removes the dirt you dig out, and is that in the price?

Red flags

  • A flat patio with no slope away from the house, which can hold water against the wall and foundation
  • Pours on soft fill or topsoil without compacting a base under the slab
  • Says control joints are unnecessary on a small patio
  • Sets the slab against the house without addressing how water will move past that joint
  • Adds water on site to make the mix flow easier, which weakens the finished surface

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clear the site and dig out the topsoil on a small patio if they have a way to haul the soil away. A pro should handle the grade, base, forms, reinforcement and pour, since a patio that drains toward the house can damage the foundation over time. Wear gloves, eye protection and long sleeves around wet concrete, which is alkaline and burns skin.

Licenses and permits

Patio concrete is commonly done by licensed contractors, and many areas require a permit for a patio tied to a structure, a raised deck or a change in grade near the home. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, especially if the patio changes drainage.

Concrete patio installation questions

Can I walk on the patio the next day?

Light foot traffic is usually fine after a day or two, but furniture, grills and hot tubs should wait longer. Concrete reaches most of its full strength over about four weeks, so ask the crew for the schedule for your patio.

Why is my new patio slightly sloped?

The slope is on purpose, so rain runs off the surface and away from the house instead of pooling. A slope that is too steep or in the wrong direction is a problem to raise with the pro before the forms are set.

Can I add a color or a stamped pattern to a plain patio later?

Surface color and texture can be added to some existing slabs through resurfacing or coatings, but the result depends on the condition of the slab. Ask the pro whether your slab is a good candidate before you commit to a pattern.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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