Concrete Patio Cost Guide for Gaithersburg, MD

Concrete patio pricing depends on patio size, site access, excavation, base preparation, removal of an existing patio, finish, decorative features, grading, drainage, and layout complexity. Because patios vary widely in size, shape, and finish, we provide project-specific estimates rather than fixed per-square-foot rates.

Patio Cost Drivers

• Square footage and total slab area
• Shape and layout complexity — curves, angles, integrated features
• Excavation depth and subgrade preparation
• Backyard access for trucks and equipment
• Base preparation and compaction
• Patio thickness appropriate to the use
• Reinforcement where required
• Slope and drainage away from the house
• Standard broom finish versus decorative finish
• Removal of an existing patio where applicable
• Steps, landings, and walkway connections

A simple rectangular patio with open access and a broom finish carries one set of costs; a curved, stamped patio with decorative borders, integrated steps, and a connection to an outdoor kitchen pad carries another — even when both cover similar square footage. The variables below are what actually move a patio estimate.

Square Footage & Shape

Larger patios use more concrete, labor, and forming, but benefit from efficiency of scale. A curved or multi-angled layout requires more complex formwork than a simple rectangle, adding labor time to the forming stage.

Excavation & Base Preparation

The subgrade beneath a patio determines how well it resists settlement. Excavation to the right depth, compaction, and a properly prepared base all add scope — and skipping them is the most common reason a patio cracks or settles unevenly over time.

Backyard Access

A patio reachable directly by a concrete truck costs less to pour than one where material must be wheeled or pumped through a narrow side yard, over landscaping, or around structures. Difficult access adds labor time and sometimes a pump truck.

Finish & Decorative Options

A standard broom finish is the most economical. Stamped concrete, exposed aggregate, colored concrete, and decorative borders each add labor, material, and detail work. The richer the decorative treatment, the more scope it adds.

Slope & Drainage

A patio should slope away from the home's foundation so water does not pool against the structure or beneath the slab. Grading and drainage work add scope but protect both the patio and the house — and are essential in Maryland's climate.

Removal of an Existing Patio

Replacing an existing patio adds demolition, loading, haul-away, and disposal, plus base evaluation before the new pour. A new patio on open ground does not carry those removal costs.

Steps, Walkways & Connections

Steps, landings, and walkway connections tie the patio to the house and yard. Each transition adds forming and finishing scope, and integrating the patio with adjacent structures or features increases layout complexity.

New installation, replacement, expansion, and resurfacing each carry different scope. Understanding the distinction helps set accurate cost expectations.

New Patio

A new patio on open ground includes layout, excavation, grading, base, forming, reinforcement where appropriate, concrete placement, finishing, joints, and curing. There is no demolition because no existing surface is being removed.

Patio Replacement

A replacement adds demolition of the existing patio, loading and haul-away, base evaluation and recompaction, and then reconstruction. Replacement is more involved than a new pour of the same size because of the removal step and the need to correct whatever caused the old patio to fail.

Patio Expansion

Expanding an existing patio adds an adjacent excavation, new base, and a tied-in extension. The old/new transition is a key scope item — the new concrete has to match elevation and slope and connect cleanly to the existing slab.

Resurfacing

Resurfacing renews a structurally sound but cosmetically worn patio with an overlay or topping rather than a full replacement. It is less scope than replacement but only suitable when the existing slab is stable — a patio with major cracking or settlement typically needs repair or replacement first.

For the service pages behind each scope, see our patio installation and replacement, concrete demolition, and resurfacing pages.

Information to Gather

• Approximate dimensions of the patio area
• Intended use — seating, dining, cooking, spa, recreation
• Desired finish — broom, stamped, exposed aggregate, decorative
• Furniture and seating layout needs
• Outdoor kitchen or grill station plans
• Hot tub or spa plans
• Drainage concerns or standing water
• Whether an existing patio must be removed
• Access limitations — side yard width, slopes, overhead lines
• Walkway connections to the house or yard

For the broader pricing framework, see our overall concrete cost guide. For decorative finishes, see our stamped and decorative concrete and exposed aggregate pages. To request an estimate, visit our contact page.