Paver Calculator.ORGHow to use the cost calculator
- Enter the patio as one or more sections.
- Pick the paver and pattern. The slip works out the pavers, base, sand, polymeric sand and edging.
- Enter the prices you have. Pavers by the piece or by the square foot; base and sand by the ton; polymeric sand by the bag; edging by the foot; labor by the square foot; and anything quoted as a lump sum (digging, haul-away, delivery, equipment rental) in the last box.
- Read the total and the cost per square foot at the top of the slip.
You don’t need every price. Leave labor empty for a DIY materials budget, or put an installer’s all-in price per square foot in the labor box and leave the materials empty to check a quote.
total = pavers + base tons × $/ton + sand tons × $/ton + poly bags × $/bag + edge ft × $/ft + area × labor $/sq ft + other
installed cost per sq ft = total ÷ area
installed cost per sq ft = total ÷ area
Quantities for common patio sizes
To price a patio, you need its quantities. Here they are for 4 × 8 in pavers in running bond (5% extra) on 4 in of base, with the base 6 in past the edges. Multiply each line by your local price.
| Patio | Pavers (4 × 8 in) | Base | Bedding sand | Polymeric sand | Edging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | 473 | 1.8 cu yd, ~2.7 tons | 0.34 cu yd, ~0.46 tons | 2–3 bags | 40 ft |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | 681 | 2.5 cu yd, ~3.8 tons | 0.49 cu yd, ~0.66 tons | 3–4 bags | 48 ft |
| 12 × 16 ft (192 sq ft) | 908 | 3.3 cu yd, ~4.9 tons | 0.65 cu yd, ~0.88 tons | 4–5 bags | 56 ft |
| 16 × 20 ft (320 sq ft) | 1,512 | 5.3 cu yd, ~7.9 tons | 1.09 cu yd, ~1.5 tons | 6–8 bags | 72 ft |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | 1,890 | 6.5 cu yd, ~9.8 tons | 1.36 cu yd, ~1.8 tons | 7–10 bags | 80 ft |
Edging assumes all four sides are open; subtract any side against the house. Larger pavers change the paver count and polymeric sand but not the base or bedding sand.
Reading an installer’s quote
Installers usually quote a patio as one price, or as a price per square foot. To compare two quotes fairly, check that they describe the same job:
| Ask about | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Base depth and material | 4 in and 6 in of base are different jobs; so is compacting in lifts versus all at once |
| Excavation depth and haul-away | Digging out and removing soil is a big share of labor on many sites |
| Removal of an old patio or lawn | Often priced separately |
| Paver make, line, size and thickness | Prices vary widely between lines |
| Pattern and borders | Herringbone and borders take longer to lay than running bond |
| Edge restraint type | Plastic, metal or concrete edging differ in cost and strength |
| Joint sand | Polymeric sand costs more than plain sand and takes longer to install |
| Slope and drainage | Grading, drains and downspout work can be extra |
| Steps, walls, seat walls, fire pits | Usually priced on their own |
| Cleanup, sealing, permits, warranty | Check what’s included |
What drives paver patio cost
- Size. Bigger patios cost more in total but often less per square foot, because setup, delivery and equipment are spread over more area.
- Paver type. Concrete pavers are usually the least expensive option; clay brick, natural stone and porcelain pavers usually cost more. Within concrete, premium textured and large-format lines cost more than standard shapes.
- Pattern and shape. Each cut costs time and wastes material. A rectangle in running bond is the cheapest layout; curves and 45° herringbone are the most expensive.
- Site and soil. Soft or clay soil needs more base and maybe fabric. Slopes need grading or a retaining wall. Tree roots and old concrete slow digging.
- Access. If a skid steer can reach the patio, digging and moving base is quick. If everything has to go through a garden gate in wheelbarrows, labor goes up.
- Season and local demand. Busy-season scheduling and local labor rates vary by region.
Pavers vs concrete cost
A plain broom-finished concrete patio is usually cheaper up front than pavers, and stamped or colored concrete narrows the gap. The two are built differently, so compare like with like:
- Both need a compacted gravel base. The base line on the slip applies to either.
- Concrete adds forms, reinforcement, concrete by the cubic yard, finishing and control joints. A 4 in slab uses about 1.23 cu yd per 100 sq ft before waste.
- Pavers add bedding sand, the pavers, cutting, edge restraint and joint sand.
- Repairs: concrete cracks and is patched or replaced in sections; pavers can be lifted and relaid, and spare pavers match.
DIY materials budget
To price a DIY patio, enter the materials and leave labor at zero. Then add:
- Tool rental: a plate compactor (with a paver pad), and a wet saw or a block splitter for cuts.
- Delivery for the base and sand loads and the pallets of pavers.
- Disposal of the dug-out soil if it can’t stay on site.
- Hand tools you don’t have: screed pipes, a straight board, a long level, a string line and stakes, a rubber mallet.
The paver base and paver sand calculators explain each material, and how many pavers do I need covers the count for other paver sizes.
This site doesn't publish typical prices, because they go out of date and vary by region. Prices you get from a local supplier or installer this month are the only reliable ones.
Questions people ask
- How do I calculate the cost of a paver patio?
- Work out the quantities (pavers, base, bedding sand, joint sand, edge restraint), multiply each by its local price, add labor per square foot and any lump sums such as digging, haul-away and delivery. Divide the total by the patio's square feet for the installed cost per square foot.
- What is included in the installed cost per square foot?
- In a full installer quote it usually covers excavation, base and compaction, bedding sand, pavers, cutting, edge restraint, joint sand and cleanup. Check whether haul-away of soil, removal of an old patio, steps, walls, sealing and permits are included or extra.
- Why do paver patio quotes vary so much?
- Base depth, soil, access for machines, the paver chosen, the laying pattern, borders and curves, and how much digging and haul-away the site needs all change the labor and material. Compare quotes line by line on the same scope.
- Are pavers more expensive than a concrete patio?
- Usually a plain poured concrete patio costs less to install than pavers, and stamped or colored concrete narrows the gap. Pavers cost more up front but can be lifted and relaid for repairs. Price both from local quotes with the same base, size and edges.
- How much does it cost to lay pavers yourself?
- The materials on the slip plus tool rental (usually a plate compactor and a saw for cutting), delivery, and disposal of the dug-out soil. Enter those in the calculator with labor left at zero.