Colored Concrete Patio Cost: 2026 Installed Price Calculator
Mike Martin, MA CSL, is the founder and construction cost editor of RemodelingExpense. His residential construction experience informs the site’s cost research, calculators, and homeowner project guidance.
Colored concrete patio cost ranges from $7.00 to $18.00 per sq. ft. installed, with most 400 sq. ft. colored concrete patio projects costing about $2,800 to $7,200.
This estimate is for a concrete patio with color added through integral color, color hardener, stain, dye, or another concrete coloring method. It is not for a plain broom-finished concrete patio, stamped concrete pattern work, exposed aggregate, brick pavers, bluestone, or fieldstone.
Enter your ZIP code and patio area below to estimate local material, labor, and installed cost.
Cost Calculator
Colored Concrete Patio Cost Calculator
Colored concrete patio cost depends on patio area, integral color, color hardener, concrete stain, dye, pigment consistency, sealer, surface prep, UV fading, color matching, patio size, slab prep, control joints, whether color is added to a plain slab or combined with stamped concrete, access, old patio removal, drainage, permits, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 400 sq. ft.
$2,800 – $7,200
About $7 – $18 per sq. ft.
Use your estimate as a starting point, then compare real prices from local contractors.
| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | $1,200 | $2,800 |
| Labor | $1,600 | $4,400 |
| Estimated installed cost | $2,800 | $7,200 |
| Installed cost per sq. ft. | $7 | $18 |
Why your price may change
- Local labor rates vary.
- Material quality affects the price.
- Old material removal, repairs, permits, or code updates can add cost.
- Hard-to-reach areas, complex layouts, rush jobs, or premium contractors may cost more.
Estimate includes local labor adjustments and may differ slightly from rounded national cost examples.
Colored Concrete Patio Cost vs Value
Colored Concrete Patio may recover about 50%–70% of its cost.
Bottom line: Colored concrete patios cost more than plain concrete because the finish adds pigment, stain, dye, hardener, surface prep, color consistency work, and sealing.
Worth it: Homeowners who want a decorative concrete patio with integral color, color hardener, stain, dye, or a finished color upgrade without necessarily adding a stamped pattern.
Skip it: Projects where a plain broom-finished concrete patio is enough, or where stamped concrete, exposed aggregate, brick, bluestone, or fieldstone is the main design intent.
ROI ranges are planning estimates and should not be treated as an appraisal. This is only an estimate. Real resale value depends on your home, neighborhood, market, project quality, and buyer demand.
How to Measure Colored Concrete Patio Area
Measure the patio length times width to get the square footage. A 20 ft. by 20 ft. patio is 400 sq. ft. Add separate areas for curves, steps, walkways, grill pads, landings, and border sections.
Colored concrete is usually priced by square foot, but the final quote depends on the coloring method, slab prep, surface condition, sealer, patio shape, access, and whether color is added to a plain slab or combined with decorative work.
Colored Concrete Patio Cost Factors
Contractor Reality Check
Colored concrete is not one single finish. Integral color is mixed into the concrete, color hardener is worked into the surface, stains react with or coat the slab, and dyes create a different look. Your quote should say which method is being used, how the color will be sealed, and whether color matching is guaranteed.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- Total patio square footage and slab thickness
- Coloring method: integral color, color hardener, stain, dye, or pigment
- Color sample, color chart, and expected variation
- Surface prep, cleaning, and curing requirements
- Sealer type, number of coats, and resealing schedule
- Control joint layout and expansion joint details
- Drainage slope away from the house
- Warranty terms for color, sealer, cracking, and workmanship
Common Colored Concrete Patio Add-On Costs
| Item | Typical Added Cost |
|---|---|
| Old patio removal | $2.00 – $6.00 per sq. ft. |
| Extra surface prep or cleaning | $1.00 – $4.00 per sq. ft. |
| Color upgrade or multiple color treatment | $2.00 – $6.00 per sq. ft. |
| Concrete sealing | $1.00 – $3.00 per sq. ft. |
| Drainage correction or grading | $500 – $4,000+ |
Colored Concrete Patio Cost by Finish
| Color Finish | Installed Cost per Sq. Ft. | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Integral color concrete patio | $7.00 – $13.00 | Consistent color mixed into a new poured slab |
| Color hardener concrete patio | $9.00 – $16.00 | Stronger surface color and decorative concrete upgrades |
| Stained or dyed concrete patio | $8.00 – $18.00+ | Color upgrades on new or existing concrete surfaces |
Cost by Patio Size
| Patio Size | Estimated Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 200 sq. ft. | $1,400 – $3,600 |
| 300 sq. ft. | $2,100 – $5,400 |
| 400 sq. ft. | $2,800 – $7,200 |
| 600 sq. ft. | $4,200 – $10,800 |
Is a Colored Concrete Patio Worth It?
A colored concrete patio is usually worth it when you want a more finished look than plain gray concrete without paying for full stamped concrete or stone. It works well for patios, walkways, seating areas, and outdoor dining spaces. It may not be the best choice if you want a deep pattern, individual paver layout, or a natural stone surface.
Related Patio Cost Guides
References
- American Concrete Institute
- National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- Portland Cement Association: Concrete Design and Production
- Concrete Network: Stained Concrete
Last Updated: 6/19/26
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