Laying a flagstone patio costs anywhere from $750 to $8,400, depending on the patio's type and size. Budget an average of $4,500 for the total cost.
The cost of flagstone patios depends on a few key factors, and the materials needed, cost of labor, and installation method cause the price to sit between $750 to $8,400 in most cases, depending on square footage. Adding a flagstone patio to your home can be expensive, but it brings some elegance into your space that makes it stand out and creates an outdoor area that’s prime for entertaining guests. It also adds value to your property, making it a great home improvement project all around.
The cost to install a flagstone patio fluctuates between $15 to $30 per square foot, depending on the time of year you buy materials, where you live, and some other factors.
The bigger the patio, the more you’re going to pay. So, if you want an average flagstone patio that is 300 square feet, then you’re looking at paying $4,500 to $9,000.
The bulk of the cost to install a flagstone patio comes from the materials, labor, and whether you need a permit. The cost of the flagstone itself is going to be a big part of your total.
The color and type of flagstone will influence your material costs, but they will usually sit between $800 and $2,000. There are five main types of flagstone available, each with benefits and downsides.
The five main types of flagstone are:
Bluestone: Dense and durable, but the color fades easily
Limestone: Durable and withstands weathering well, but chemicals and other acids damage it
Quartzite: Holds up against stains and weathering well, but costs more and is harder to install
Sandstone: Keeps the stones cool but absorbs water, which may damage it
Slate: Easiest to mold, but easiest to break apart
After you’ve picked out the type of flagstone you want, choose the color that goes hand-in-hand with your house or outdoor decor.
The cost of labor will depend on the contractor you hire but will usually sit between $1,000 and $4,000. Keep in mind that certain contractors may have higher labor costs, but some may offer cheaper prices for materials. Include both of these numbers when picking between contractors, and get a quote from at least three pros before signing a contract.
Certain cities or counties may require you to file for a permit to add on to your house. However, since flagstone patios and paver patios aren’t permanent structures—as a concrete patio would be considered—the majority of homeowners having one installed won’t need a permit. Still, you should check with your local building department to see if one is required.
You might need to pay for a permit if you’re installing other things in your outdoor area, like stone steps, which will need a permanent foundation. The cost of stone steps will also drive up your total.
One of the biggest factors that will influence the cost to install a flagstone patio is where you live. Companies need to source these stones from where they form naturally, so the further away you are from that location, the more you’re likely to pay. That’s why states such as Florida will have a lower cost for limestone than New York.
Here are the average costs for a 200-square-foot flagstone patio:
| City | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hartford, CT | $3,800 |
| Richmond, VA | $3,000 |
| Columbus, OH | $3,600 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $3,400 |
| Orlando, FL | $3,100 |
| Bozeman, MT | $3,302 |
| Milwaukee | $3,556 |
| New York | $5,245 |
| Los Angeles | $3,930 |
There are three main methods of laying a flagstone patio: Dry-laying the patio, which is the most affordable, wet-laying the patio, and using a mortar-set method, which is similar to wet-laying.
Dry-laying a flagstone patio costs around $1,900 to $4,400 on average. This is more affordable because the patio will sit on top of sand and gravel, rather than poured concrete.
First, local patio contractors cut and shape slabs of stone blocks to meet the concept you created. After they’ve been cut, the contractor will put grout between the stones. The grout keeps the stones in place and helps create the elegant finish that defines flagstone patios.
A wet-laid flagstone patio can range from $2,700 to $7,000. This extra cost comes from the contractor needing to create a concrete base, rather than a sand and gravel base.
Once the contractors pour the concrete, they need to work fast to place the stones, as the concrete has a time limit before it sets. After the concrete sets, there is little they can do to change the position of the stones. Finally, the contractor will put grout between the stones to give a stylish finish. Consider this the final piece of the puzzle.
If you already have a suitable concrete base, then you could pay between $2,000 and $5,000 for a mortar-set flagstone patio.Mortar-set patios are similar to wet-laid patios, but the difference is the contractor won’t need to lay down concrete beforehand. They will either install the mortar and stones over existing concrete or another hard structure.
The difference between flagstone patio cost vs. stamped concrete cost is minimal. On average, a flagstone patio costs around $4,345, while a stamped concrete patio costs around $4,025.
Because there are only a few hundred dollars between projects, it comes down to your personal preference. Flagstone patios offer a more rustic look, while stamped concrete tends to look more like cracked marble floors. No matter what style of house you’re going for, there are plenty of different patio types that can help compliment the rest of the home.
Related Article: Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Flagstone
The cost to DIY a flagstone patio is between $855 to $1,385 on average for a 200-square foot patio. Most people who tackle a DIY flagstone patio prefer the dry-laid method, because it doesn’t require you to pour and mix concrete. Although you’ll still have to cut stone yourself, you aren’t on the clock when dry-laying a patio, so you can take your time without worrying about concrete setting before you’re done.
Most of this cost is the flagstone itself, which costs around $600 to $1,000 for 200 square feet. Other materials you’ll need are sand, grout, and gravel, which cost around $95 to $105. Because you’ll need to place a seal and cut stone, you might need to borrow specific equipment, which will cost around $60 to $80 for the equipment and around $100 to $200 for a gallon of sealer.
If you’re set on a wet-laid flagstone patio, you’ll want to leave that to the professionals. This kind of labor-intensive work with a time limit isn’t conducive to a DIY job unless you have experience laying patios. We recommend contacting a brick paver company near you for a professional installation.
Flagstone for a patio should be at least 1.5 inches thick. Otherwise, you run the risk of the stone cracking under the weight of patio furniture and even foot traffic. Thicker flagstone from 2 to 3 inches will decrease the risk of breakage while you work and after the installation is complete, but thicker stone will always be more expensive on a per-square-foot basis.
When it comes to cleaning your patio, you’ll need to ensure the chemicals you use aren’t harsh enough to destroy the seal or stones. You can use a mixture of white vinegar and water or sopay water and a scrub brush to clean the stones. Just be sure not to use wire brushes, as these can scratch the surface. On average, you’ll want to reseal your patio every 18 to 36 months, which will cost you around $110 to $240. Be sure to clean the patio before sealing to get the surface looking fresh.
Flagstone patios offer a luxurious yet low-key look to your backyard. Because of this luxe feel, you’re likely to see an increase in the value of your home. Beyond that, you won’t have to worry about potential pests—including termites, which can do serious damage to wooden patio or deck. Flagstone patios also won’t bump up your property taxes like a permanent concrete patio would, so in the long run, they could end up being more affordable.
Since flagstone is just natural stone, the colors available are all neutral, including different shades of grey, black, red, yellow, brown, and tan. There are some varieties that have other tones, like bluestone, which is a type of flagstone that has a bluish hue. While you can’t customize the color of natural stone, you can opt for a tone that’s similar to or has tones of the color you’re looking for.
Yes, you can paint a flagstone patio, but you’ll want to make sure you choose a durable latex paint that’s specifically designed for outdoor use and heavy foot traffic. An elastomeric latex paint will fill in all the gaps and create a waterproof seal over the stone. Even the best products made for foot traffic can last for one to two years, on average, so be prepared to reapply paint regularly.
