Flagstone costs anywhere from $200 to $550 per ton
Flagstone costs anywhere from $200 to $550 per ton.
Quartzite flagstone costs $400 to $450 per ton.
A ton of flagstone typically covers up to 140 square feet.
You’ll pay $2 to $6 per square foot for the stone itself.
The prices below reflect flagstone pricing versus other paver options.
Flagstone is naturally beautiful, with colors ranging from sand or gray to red or purple. It has a rustic charm, mainly if rough cut, and is incredibly durable. It's more affordable than many other types of stone, ranging from $2 to $6 per square foot for the stone itself. However, some flagstone types cost between $10 and $15 per square foot. You'll also need to account for $13 to $16 per square foot for labor.
Flagstone pricing is usually given in one of three measurements:
Per ton
Per pallet
Per square foot
When talking to your local paving installers, clarify the size or unit of measurement so you know precisely how much paving you're getting for your money.
Flagstone costs between $200 and $550 per ton, just for the stone. For a mid-range type of flagstone, expect to pay around $350 per ton.
A ton of flagstone covers up to 140 square feet, but coverage depends on your flagstone’s type, fit (the space between stones), and thickness. A ton of thicker, denser flagstone could cover as little as 70 square feet. This is a critical pricing factor, so discuss coverage with your contractor.
Expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $2,200 for a whole pallet of flagstone. Pallet weights vary but usually fall between three and four tons, which equates to a cost of $0.20 to $0.55 per pound. An average pallet covers between 210 and 560 square feet, but, just as with flagstone coverage priced by the ton, how much square footage you get depends on thickness and density.
Flagstone costs $2 to $6 per square foot for the stone itself and between $15 and $22 per square foot with labor. Expect the price to fall at the higher end of this range for thicker stone and rarer flagstone colors.
Flagstone prices range from $200 to $550 per ton, without labor, based on the type of stone, its quality, and rarity.
| Type | Cost per Ton | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Red Flagstone | $200–$400 | Popular choice for climates with extreme heat or cold |
| Arizona Flagstone | $200–$450 | Readily available, local to the Southwestern US |
| Sandstone | $200–$350 | Easy to find, more affordable than many other types |
| Bluestone | $375–$450 | Resistant to freezing temperatures, requires sealing in coastal locations |
| Quartzite | $400–$450 | Durable mix of sandstone and quartz well-suited to high-traffic areas |
| Limestone | $250–$400 | Commonly found, often left n its natural stone shape rather than squared off |
| Slate | $475–$700 | One of the priciest types, has a rich and textured appearance |
| Travertine | $800+ | Unique porous texture, rustic and less common |
| Basalt | $500–700+ | Dark volcanic rock, highly resistant to stains and wear |
| Flagstone Rock | $400–$500 | Excellent choice for outdoor steps and natural walls |
Many variables impact the cost of flagstone, from the thickness of the stone to its rarity. Delivery, complexity, and accessibility also affect the price of any flagstone installation project.
The flagstone's weight directly impacts cost, particularly if priced by the ton. Remember, flagstone comes in different thicknesses, with some pavers or flagstone rocks being 2 inches thick or more. Plus, different types of sandstone have different densities, so you get less square footage per ton for heavier stones.
The type of flagstone you choose influences how much you'll pay for the stone itself, and some types, such as those that need sealing, require extra labor. Standard flagstone, such as sandstone, is comparatively inexpensive, costing as little as $200 per ton, whereas scarcer types like bluestone or quartzite with unique patterns and colors can cost up to $550 per ton.
Flagstone is heavy, so the more you pay, the further it travels. Stone quarried locally doesn't have far to travel, so you'll get a better price (and have fewer problems with the stone's reaction to your climate). But if you simply must have the rare pink-purple quartzite flecked with gold that has to travel from the other side of the country, you'll quickly rack up extra fees in transport costs.
Your contractor will assess how accessible the job site is and figure that into their quote. Labor costs will increase if the contractors manually move the stone a long distance because they can't get the right vehicle or equipment into your yard to do the lifting.
Since flagstone is a natural stone, you will want to compensate for variability. For example, contractors often order 25% more stone than they anticipate needing for a project because the stone can vary so much in color, texture, and shape, even when it comes from the same quarry.
For materials and installation, flagstone costs $15 to $22 per square foot, and labor costs $13 to $16 per square foot. The labor cost is high compared to the price of the flagstone because the stone is heavy. Each stone weighs 12 to 20 pounds per square foot, so installation is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Here are the average costs to complete flagstone installations:
300–500 sq. ft. flagstone walkway costs $4,500-$11,000
125–250 sq. ft. flagstone pathway costs $1,900-$5,500
600–900 sq. ft. pool deck costs $9,000-$19,800
300–600 sq. ft. flagstone driveway paving costs $4,500-$13,200
50–400 sq. ft. flagstone patio installation costs $750-$8,400
You can’t go wrong with locally sourced flagstone. If you're working with a landscaper near you, they'll likely be able to source local stone for you and offer insight into how your stone will age over time.
Yes, flagstone is more expensive than pavers, but natural stone lasts longer and has a unique aesthetic appeal that pavers can't match. It is important to make the distinction that flagstone can be different from flagstone pavers. Some pavers are flagstone pavers, and some are not. Flagstone can be uniformly cut and set like pavers or retain the stone’s original shape.
Sealing is essential to keep your flagstone looking new for as long as possible. If you don’t seal flagstone, the surface can wear and stain. It also helps protect the stone’s natural texture. Just make sure you choose a matte sealant to avoid making your stone slippery like a glossy sealant can.
