Check Your Patio Quote Against These 7 Line Items
What contractors skip
- Base depth (4–6 inches minimum; affects durability and cost)
- Drainage slope (1/8 inch per foot prevents pooling and cracks)
- Concrete PSI rating (3,000 vs. 4,000 changes price 8–12%)
- Rebar or wire mesh reinforcement
- Soil prep and compaction labor
- Finishing method (broom, salt, polished)
- Cleanup and debris removal
Price gaps by scope
| Patio size | Bare-bones quote | Complete spec |
|---|---|---|
| 16×20 (320 sqft) | $1,600–$2,500 | $3,200–$4,200 |
| 20×24 (480 sqft) | $2,400–$3,600 | $4,800–$6,400 |
Before you sign
A vague quote saves contractors time upfront but costs you $500–$1,500 later. Ask your bidder to itemize base work, reinforcement, finishing, and drainage on the contract. If they won't detail it, they're either low-balling or uncertain about the job. A complete spec means both of you know the scope-no surprises at pour day.
Most homeowners don't know which questions to ask contractors, so they end up comparing apples to oranges and signing incomplete specs that blow the budget.
one-click price evaluation
Check if your quote is fair - before you sign.
- Real $/sqft ranges for your project type and region
- PSI, thickness & base depth benchmarks to check the spec
- One-page negotiation reference card
How it works
- Pull up your quote
- Check it against the regional data and spec benchmarks
- See exactly where you're overpaying
Done in 30 seconds.