Outdoor Living & Hardscapes · United States
How much does outdoor living & hardscapes cost nationally?
$3,726typical · fair range $3,346 to $4,135
That is the modeled cost to deliver plus a fair contractor margin for outdoor living & hardscapes in the United States, not a sales quote. Built from BLS wage data, Craftsman bills of materials, and verified permit fees. 2026-07-21
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How $3,726 is built
Labor$855
Materials$1,445
Direct cost$2,300
Overhead (20% of revenue)$754
Cost to deliver (break even)$3,054
Contractor margin (18%)$672
Typical fair price$3,726
The margin is the gap between break even and a typical quote, not a markup we invent. Margins float by trade and city, with most fair jobs at a 15 to 22 percent margin on the bid, about 18 to 28 percent over the cost to deliver. Nobody works for free. Full methodology.
How this number is calculated
TheFatBook models outdoor living & hardscapes from Craftsman labor hours, BLS regional wages, burden, PPI-adjusted materials, permit data where available, and contractor overhead benchmarks. Cost index version: 2026-07-21. Updated Jul 2026.
See costs near you
Enter your ZIP code for the closest tracked metro.
We route your ZIP to the nearest tracked city and show city-level bid fairness, true cost, margin, and lowest realistic price data.
Atlanta $3,528Austin $3,561Boston $4,374Charlotte $3,494Chicago $4,541Columbus $3,696Dallas $3,422Denver $3,871Atlanta $3,528Austin $3,561Boston $4,374Charlotte $3,494Chicago $4,541Columbus $3,696Dallas $3,422Denver $3,871
Updated Monthly
Federal labor and material data, refreshed on a monthly release cycle
Expert Reviewed
Reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson, LC Thompson Construction Co., Owner (retired)
Proprietary benchmarks · BLS · FRED · Census · Craftsman
Estimate Scope
What the outdoor living & hardscapes benchmark includes.
Included in the benchmark
- Concrete Patio Installation as the headline cost-index scope
- labor-hour assumptions, regional wage inputs, materials, overhead, and permit data where available
- low, average, high, lowest realistic price, margin, and savings benchmarks from the FatBook cost index
Not included automatically
- hidden damage, change orders, emergency service premiums, or unusual site access conditions
- contractor financing approval, warranties, provider recommendations, or guaranteed final quotes
- permit rulings for a specific address unless the city permit panel lists verified local data
True Cost Data
National benchmarks.
Embed this chart on your site (free, with attribution)
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Patio Installation · 400 sqft | $3,346 | $3,726 | $4,135 |
| Concrete Driveway Installation · 400 sqft | $3,465 | $3,842 | $4,248 |
| Concrete Sidewalk Installation · 400 sqft | $3,617 | $4,011 | $4,436 |
| Stamped Concrete Patio · 400 sqft | $4,934 | $5,494 | $6,097 |
| Concrete Footing Installation · 100 linear ft | $2,495 | $2,762 | $3,049 |
| Foundation Stem Wall · 120 linear ft | $9,716 | $10,800 | $11,967 |
| Concrete Slab (Garage/Addition) · 400 sqft | $3,491 | $3,871 | $4,280 |
| Concrete Driveway Replacement · 400 sqft | $5,885 | $6,537 | $7,238 |
Specialty tool
Concrete cost calculator
Installed slab, driveway, and patio pricing for your metro, plus bag and ready-mix math for a DIY pour.
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Top Markets
Cost by city.
Additional Markets
Guides
Latest research.
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Common Questions
Questions homeowners ask about outdoor living & hardscapes.
Note: dollar figures below are national averages from our v3 cost index (Craftsman labor hours x BLS regional wages + PPI-adjusted materials + verified permit fees + NAHB overhead). Where an answer references general industry estimates instead (timing, lifespan, resale recoup percentages, scope items outside our index), it says so explicitly. For metro-specific numbers, see the cost-index pages.
What projects are included in outdoor living and hardscapes?+
Patios, driveways, slabs, sidewalks, stamped concrete, decks, railings, stairs, patio covers, and deck repair, each with verified pricing in the cost index. Pool decks and the hardscape around a pool belong here too.
How much does a concrete patio cost?+
Our cost index puts Concrete Patio Installation at $3,726 national average (range $3,346 to $4,135), and Stamped Concrete Patio at $5,494 ($4,934 to $6,097). Patios are priced the same way as driveways: published labor hours priced at your metro's real wages, plus materials, permit, and overhead.
How much does a deck cost?+
Our cost index national averages: Pressure-treated $7,087 (range $6,382 to $7,846), Cedar $10,695 ($9,624 to $11,848), Composite $11,234 ($10,109 to $12,447). Material choice is the biggest single cost lever.
What affects patio and hardscape cost most?+
Square footage and structure drive the bulk of it. After that: concrete thickness, finish, reinforcement, grading, drainage, railings, stairs, material grade, and what outdoor-living crews charge in your metro.
Stamped concrete vs pavers, which is better?+
Stamped concrete usually costs less than premium pavers and creates a clean patio surface, but pavers are easier to repair one section at a time. The right answer depends on drainage, freeze-thaw exposure, and how much pattern variation you want.
Do patios, decks, and hardscapes need permits?+
Decks usually need permits, especially above grade. Concrete patios often avoid permits unless drainage, lot coverage, or structural work is involved. Pool-related hardscapes frequently trigger additional zoning, barrier, and electrical review.
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Cost index built by David Olson, Creator of the Cost Index & Permit Dataset · Methodology reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson, LC Thompson Construction Co., Owner (retired) · 2026-07-21