Adding a patio to your Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA backyard is no small investment. But you know that the return you'll get financially and in terms of use and enjoyment will be worth it. That is, assuming you make a wise choice regarding landscape design and hardscape installation in Northern VA.
Adding a patio is one of the best ways to spend more enjoyable time outside as it often becomes the heart and the hub of an outdoor living area.
Even so, as you move forward, you want to understand the price to install a patio so that you can plan accordingly. Knowing the professional patio cost can help you make the best decisions for your new addition.
We spoke to Amanda McNiff, our landscape designer, about the cost of installing a patio, including some factors that can affect the cost. Amanda has designed and built many beautiful patios over the years and has insider information on the process and what needs to be considered.
At the end of the day, we want you to have all of the information you need to make an informed decision about your patio project.
One of the questions we get asked frequently is, What is the price to install a patio?
According to Amanda, many nuances can make every project different. Many factors will also impact a patio's price (which we’ll dive into in more depth next).
But we can still provide a patio installation price range to give you some ideas.
Size and the materials used are two factors that significantly impact price. For this article, we’ll use two popular sizes (250 square feet and 600 square feet).
According to Amanda, 250 square feet is approximately a 16x16 foot patio, which would be a large enough space to comfortably have a six-person table and a spot for the grill on the hardscaped area.
“The larger 600 square foot patio would be more like a 20x30 foot area and could include another ‘zone’ for lounge type furniture with space for a fire pit,” Amanda continues.
We’ll also examine the cost for concrete vs. pavers vs. masonry stone.
Poured concrete, concrete pavers and natural stone are the most popular patio materials in Northern Virginia. Each can create great gathering spaces, but the similarities end there.
250 SF: Starting at $8,000
600 SF: Starting at $16,000
250 SF: Starting at $14,500
600 SF: Starting at $28,500
250 SF: Starting at $17,500
600 SF: Starting at $35,000
As you weigh all of this information, Amanda says it’s important to consider the size of the patio and whether it will meet your needs. Don’t just choose a patio size based on cost alone.
She says that people who do not take the time to visualize the future size can be disappointed when it’s finished.
“Think about how you’re going to use your space, and then we will figure out the size you need,” she says. “Will you have a dedicated grill that lives on the patio? Will you be able to pull your chairs out from the table without falling off the edge? How many people need to fit at your table? These are questions that we need to answer before we can figure out the minimum sizing that you need.”
Amanda says that too often, people sell themselves short.
“They figure a 200 square foot patio sounds big enough, and then they’re disappointed when it doesn’t fit the furniture they had wanted,” she says. “Make sure you are working with a Landscape Designer who is thinking about your finished results.”
Many factors can impact patio price, says Amanda.
These include the material chosen, the amount of labor involved, site conditions, and the size of the patio. While some of these factors are unchangeable, the size and material can be altered to fit your budget (as seen in our chart above).
“There are also many ways to get creative with your patio design,” continues Amanda. “You can add a border or an inlay, or you could do a pattern with different materials. But the more you do, the more it will make your price go up. For many, the aesthetic appeal of these designs is worth paying more. It all depends on what you’re looking for with your patio design.”
It’s important to talk with your Landscape Designer about your goals. We’ve had clients who were set on using pavers over concrete (which is more costly) but opted for a slightly smaller patio to keep it within budget.
Conversely, we have had clients who preferred a larger patio, so they downgraded the material.
A Landscape Designer can work with you on your preferences and budget to help design the perfect patio for your wants and needs.
Amanda says masonry or “natural stone” is the most expensive patio material.
We wrote an entire article weighing the different patio material options, which dives into a more detailed explanation of some of the pros and cons of each. The main natural stone used for patios in Alexandria, Arlington, and Springfield, VA, is flagstone.
“Natural stone, like flagstone, is a timeless look and people love it,” says Amanda. “But pavers also offer homeowners many options including a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from. We do a lot of paver patios and homeowners are very pleased.”
In the end, it comes down to personal preference, she says.
Yes, concrete is a less expensive patio material than pavers, as shown in our patio installation price range chart above. It can be a viable option for homeowners who are eager to add a hardscaped space but simply do not have the budget for a paver or natural stone patio.
While it is the least expensive option, it can be prone to some maintenance problems like cracking over time. As a result, it might not have as good an ROI as a paver or stone patio.
“Think of it like you would an interior surface,” says Amanda. “There are always going to be upgrades and more expensive materials available as options. These might give you more aesthetic value or even more return on investment.”
However, she adds that everyone must work within their budget and find the material that best suits them.
If the professional patio cost has you wondering if you should consider alternative options, we want to be transparent that, like most things in life, you’ll get what you pay for, says Amanda.
A patio installation can be incredibly complex, starting with grading and analyzing drainage solutions. The results could be subpar if the patio base is not built properly and/or drainage is not considered. You could risk your patio failing.
While a professional patio is a substantial investment, getting it done right is worth the cost. After all, you want to enjoy your patio for many years.
When it comes to getting maximum value out of your patio investment, you want to make sure that you are choosing the right company for the design and installation.
This will have a tremendous impact on the finished results.
At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we believe that having in-house landscape designers prevents any disconnects in the design/build process. That process should be seamless to ensure you end up with the patio of your dreams.
We have built thousands of patios, including some very complex designs. We can work with challenging landscapes, which are common in our region. That includes transforming seemingly unusable yards into highly functional spaces.
If you’re thinking about adding a patio to your property, we’d love to help. Reach out for more information or to discuss your budget and ideas. Your wise choice in a patio installation project will result in long-term peace of mind and satisfaction.
If you want to be confident that your landscape design will have everything it needs, request a landscape consultation, get your customized plan, and relax as you receive the royal treatment.