Quick Answer
- Patio performance depends on pitch away from the house, compacted stone, finish choice, and access to the backyard.
- Plain broom finish is the lower-maintenance option; decorative stamped work needs resealing.
- Drainage, step transitions, borders, and future furniture or grill zones should be planned before forms are set.
- Related patio and decorative questions are answered in the patio FAQ hub.
- Open the patios FAQ hub.
Chicago-Area Patio Pricing in 2026
- Concrete patio cost runs $6 to $17 per square foot nationally depending on finish; Chicagoland runs about 10-15% higher.
- A 16x20 broom-finish patio typically lands between $2,200 and $4,500 installed locally; stamped roughly doubles it.
- Finish choice moves the price more than size does.
A concrete patio costs $6 to $17 per square foot installed, putting a standard 16x20 (320 sq ft) patio between about $1,900 and $5,400 nationally, with stamped and multi-color finishes running above that band.
Broom-Finish Patios Start Around $6-$10 Per Square Foot
A plain broom-finish patio costs $6 to $10 per square foot installed - the full scope: excavation, compacted stone base, forms, 4-inch air-entrained pour, finish, and joints. Broom finish is the baseline every other option is priced against.
Common Project Totals by Patio Size
| Patio size | Sq ft | Broom finish | Stamped |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 | 144 | $900-$1,700 | $1,900-$3,700 |
| 16x20 | 320 | $1,900-$3,400 | $4,200-$8,300 |
| 20x24 | 480 | $2,900-$5,000 | $6,200-$12,500 |
Small pours carry a minimum-job premium - mobilization costs the same for 144 sq ft as for 480.
Stamping Roughly Doubles the Installed Price
Stamped concrete adds pattern labor, color systems, release agents, and sealing, lifting the range to $13-$26 per square foot in the Chicago area. Integral color alone (no stamp) adds $2-$4 per square foot and carries no ongoing pattern maintenance; colored broom finish is often the value pick before paying for full stamping.
Poured Patios Usually Cost Less Than Pavers
Pavers install at $8-$15+ per square foot for comparable looks and need joint-sand maintenance and occasional re-leveling; poured concrete needs sealing (if decorative) and joint caulk. For flat Chicagoland yards, poured concrete is typically 30-50% cheaper installed than quality pavers. Pavers win where future access to buried utilities matters or where sections must be lifted and re-laid.
Honest Patio Bids Include Base and Drainage
A patio that holds up on clay soil needs a compacted stone base and a 1/8-inch-per-foot slope away from the foundation. Failed patio patterns usually trace to the same cause: poured on dirt, no slope, first spring heave. Both items belong as written line items.
Where Patio Bids Usually Hide Cost
Patio bids drift when excavation, stone base, drainage slope, step tie-ins, access limits, and finish sealing are not listed. A patio behind a fenced yard can cost more than the same square footage beside a driveway because wheelbarrow access changes labor. Finish complexity also matters more than the raw slab size once stamping or color is added.
Best Value by Use Case
Broom finish is the value choice for grills, dining sets, and rental properties. Integral color is the value choice when gray concrete looks too plain but stamping is too much maintenance. Stamped concrete is the appearance choice for high-visibility entertaining areas. Pavers fit best when future utility access matters more than upfront cost.
BG Concrete pours patios across the NW suburbs with base, slope, and finish itemized on every quote. Get a written figure for your size and finish here.
Common Questions Before You Call
What should a patio budget include in the Chicago suburbs?
A plain broom-finish patio commonly falls in the $7 to $14 per square foot range locally, while colored, stamped, bordered, or exposed finishes can push the total above $18 per square foot. The quote should include excavation, compacted base, forms, slope away from the house, control joints, finish type, cleanup, and any old slab removal.
What changes the total fastest?
Access and drainage move the number more than most finish choices. Tight backyards require more hand work, wheelbarrow runs, or compact equipment. Poor grade may require extra excavation, stone, or a drain path before concrete is poured, because a patio pitched toward the foundation is a water problem, not a flatwork win.
Is stamped worth the premium?
Stamped work is worth it when the owner wants a finished outdoor-room surface and accepts resealing. Plain concrete is the better spend for utility patios, grill pads, and rental properties because it is cheaper to maintain and easier to patch cleanly.
How should patio bids be compared around Wood Dale, IL?
Compare the total price against the written method, base or drainage correction, thickness where relevant, disposal, access limits, cure timing, and what is included. The better bid is the one that names the work that prevents failure, not the one with the lowest unexplained budget number.
Related Patios Guides
More guides on patios: Plain patios, stamped finishes, drainage slope, backyard access, color, sealer, and maintenance.