A concrete patio in Lawrence runs about $6 to $10 per square foot for a standard finish and $12 to $20 for stamped or decorative work. A common 12 by 16 foot patio, around 192 square feet, lands near $1,200 to $2,000 plain or $2,300 to $3,800 stamped. Below is the full cost picture, how stamped concrete stacks up against pavers, and what changes your number.
Eastern Kansas labor and material costs sit near the national middle, so these ranges work for Lawrence and Douglas County. As with a driveway, the prep under the slab matters as much as the slab itself.
Concrete patio cost by finish
The finish moves the price most. A broom or smooth-troweled surface costs the least. Color, stamping, and exposed aggregate add labor and materials.
| Finish | Per square foot | Typical 200 sq ft patio |
|---|---|---|
| Broom or troweled | $6 to $10 | $1,200 to $2,000 |
| Exposed aggregate | $9 to $13 | $1,800 to $2,600 |
| Colored | $8 to $12 | $1,600 to $2,400 |
| Stamped | $12 to $20 | $2,400 to $4,000 |
Cost by patio size
Sizing helps you check a bid. These use a mid-range $9 per square foot for a standard finish.
| Patio size | Square feet | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 by 10 | 100 | $900 to $1,000 |
| 12 by 16 | 192 | $1,700 to $1,900 |
| 16 by 20 | 320 | $2,900 to $3,200 |
| 20 by 24 | 480 | $4,300 to $4,800 |
What changes the price
- Finish, as the tables show, is the biggest single swing.
- Site prep. Grading, a compacted base, and drainage away from the house add cost and prevent settling.
- Shape. Curves, multiple levels, and odd angles take more forming and hand work than a simple rectangle.
- Thickness. Four inches is standard for a patio; thicker costs more.
- Add-ons. Steps, a seat wall, a fire-pit pad, or a sealer coat each add a line.
A sealer is worth it on a patio, and close to a must on a stamped or colored one, because it protects the color and slows freeze-thaw scaling. Plan to reseal stamped concrete every two to three years.
Stamped concrete vs pavers
The most common patio decision in Lawrence is stamped concrete against pavers. Both give you a stone or tile look. They behave very differently over time.
| Factor | Stamped concrete | Pavers |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | $12 to $20 per sq ft | $15 to $30 per sq ft |
| Surface | One solid slab | Many separate units |
| Weeds | No joints to weed | Weeds and ants in joints |
| Repairs | Patch and reseal | Lift and reset single pavers |
| Shifting | Stays put on a good base | Units can heave over time |
| Upkeep | Reseal every 2 to 3 years | Re-sand joints, occasional reset |
Stamped concrete usually costs less, gives you no joints for weeds to grow through, and stays flat on a proper base. Pavers cost more and can shift over the years, but a damaged paver lifts out and swaps without touching the rest. For most homeowners who want the stone look at a lower price and less weeding, stamped wins. You can see patterns and colors on our stamped concrete page, and other finishes under decorative concrete.
Kansas weather and your patio
A patio takes the same freeze-thaw beating as a driveway, so the base prep matters as much as the slab. A compacted base, a 4-inch pour, an air-entrained mix, control joints, and grading that carries water away from the house are what keep a patio from cracking and settling. Skip those and a cheap patio scales and tilts within a few winters.
Placement matters too. Set a patio where it gets some sun if you want it to dry after rain, slope it about a quarter inch per foot away from the house, and keep it clear of large tree roots that can lift a slab over time. A few minutes of planning here saves a settled corner later.
How long a concrete patio lasts
A well-built concrete patio lasts 30 years or more in Kansas. Reaching that depends less on the finish and more on the base and the upkeep.
- Sweep and rinse it a few times a year to keep grit and organic stains off the surface.
- Reseal stamped or colored patios every two to three years, and plain patios every few years for extra protection.
- Keep water moving away from the slab so it does not wash out the base.
- Skip de-icing salt, which scales the surface. Use sand for traction instead.
Popular patio add-ons and what they cost
Most patio budgets grow with add-ons rather than square footage. The common ones are worth pricing up front.
- Steps down to the yard, which add forming and finishing work.
- A seat wall or low border, priced by the linear foot.
- A fire-pit pad or a thicker section for a grill or hot tub.
- A decorative border or banding in a second color around a stamped field.
- A sealer coat, which adds a little now and protects the finish for years.
We build patios in every finish across Lawrence and Douglas County and give free written estimates. See concrete patios, stamped concrete, or request an estimate.