How Much Does It Cost to Install Pavers?
Installing pavers is a cost-effective solution to increase the curb appeal of your outdoor spaces. With several things to consider, how much does it cost to install pavers? We're sharing this guide on how much you need to prepare for materials, labor, and operational expenses for a paver installation cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Pavers Per Square Foot?
A baseline for paver installation cost can include materials, labor, operations, and potential additional charges amounting to $1,540 to $12,600. However, this may change depending on several factors, including location, materials, dump costs, labor, design complexity, overhead expenses, and professional fees.
As ICPI-certified specialists, you get the best value for professional designing, cost estimation, material selection, and installation. Since projects and designs vary, we're going to start with a breakdown of operational and labor expenses to determine the cost of installing pavers, whether it’s for a paver walkway, paver driveway, or paver patio.
Material Costs of Paver Installation
The materials would take a massive chunk of the budget, especially since the price varies depending on the material. Basic, standard material may cost $3 to $20 per square foot. Factor in additional costs for materials like class II road base, geotextile fabric, bedding sand, concrete, and joint sand.
Here’s a sample computation for the material costs for a 400-square-foot paver installation. This is just a rough estimate, and the final price would still depend on the company, especially at the time you request a price quotation.
| Material | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Paver | $1,760 - $1,600 |
| Class II road base | $400 - $1,000 |
| Geotextile fabric | $180 - $200 |
| Bedding sand | $144 - $180 | Concrete material | $108 - $116 |
| Joint sand | $48 - $80 |
| Total | $2,640 - $3,176 |
1. Paver Type and Design Intricacy
The more intricate the pattern or layout, the higher the paver cost. For instance, modular or interlocking patterns are the easiest to install, whereas reclaimed stone and asymmetrical borders are among the most complicated. Concrete slabs and porcelain are among the most popular paver materials.
Porcelain that mimics natural stone generally costs more, starting at $15. Natural stones are typically priced at $5-$40. Meanwhile, concrete is a budget-friendly option at $3.
Account for wasted paving stones when determining the paver installation cost, which is typically around an additional 10%. Suppose you managed to get a $4 per concrete paver:
| Factor | Computation |
|---|---|
| Pavers + waste | 400 sq ft + 0% waste = 440 square feet of pavers |
| Pavers cost | 440 sq ft x $4/sq ft = $1,760 |
| Pavers cost per square foot | $1,760 / 400 sq ft = $4.40/sq ft |
2. Class II Road Base
To determine the cost to install pavers, you also need to consider the class II road base, which will be used as the bottom base during paver installation. Prices may vary depending on your location, although it generally costs $0.75 to $14 per square foot. Let’s put a price range to give you options:
Class II road base: 400 sq ft x $1-$2.50 = $400 - $1,000
3. Geotextile Fiber
Professional paver installation uses geotextile fiber underneath the base material to prevent the road base from combining with native soils. Expect to pay at least $0.45 per square foot of geotextile fiber.
Geotextile fiber: 400 sq ft x $0.45/sq ft = $180
4. Bedding Sand
Paver installers also use bedding sand to serve as a cushion between the paving stones and the road base. To calculate the cost to install pavers, add at least $0.36 to $0.45 per square foot of bedding sand.
Bedding sand: 400 sq ft x $0.36-$0.45/sq ft = $144-$180
5. Concrete Material
Concrete is another vital component in the paver installation cost. Suppose you want to add a 20-foot paver patio slab to reinforced borders, which may require at least 80 feet of concrete for the bond beams. The concrete material costs at least $1.35 per square foot.
Concrete material: 80 feet x $1.35/sq ft = $108
6. Joint Sand
Joint sand fills the joints in the pavers. Installers use them to keep pavers in place, keeping a uniform look. Expect to add around $0.12-$0.20 per square foot when using joint sand.
Joint sand: 400 sq ft x $0.12-$0.20 = $48-$80
Labor and Operational Paver Installation Cost
To give you a better idea of how to calculate the cost, let's work on a sample 1,000-square-foot paver driveway that's 50 feet long and 20 feet wide.
Dumping, delivery, and other operational fees can be a mix of fixed costs and variable costs depending on yard size. For a 400-square-foot project, these fees will add approximately $2,200 to your total cost.
| Factor | Computation |
|---|---|
| Labor expertise | $2,000 - $4,400 |
| Grading, leveling, and excavating | $180 - $920 |
| Dump | $695 |
| Fueling and delivery | $1,115 |
| Cleanup | $250 |
| Pallet | $40 |
| Portable bathroom | $130 |
| Total | $4,410 - $7,551 |
1. Labor Expertise
Labor costs represent a significant portion of the total expense for paver installation. These costs are influenced by factors like the complexity of the job and the experience of the paver installation companies.
While a lowball bidder might seem appealing, their lower labor costs could indicate a lack of full-coverage insurance, use of substandard professional equipment, and a higher risk of sloppy work. In contrast, established companies with fair pricing factor in operation fees and insurance guarantee quality and reliability.
For our sample patio driveway, an experienced crew of paver installers can cost anywhere from $5 to $7.35 per square foot for the labor. A highly skilled and reliable team may cost more or up to $11 per square foot. Here’s a sample comparison:
| Labor Expertise | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 400 sq ft x $5/sq ft | $2,000 |
| 400 sq ft x $7.35/sq ft | $2,940 |
| 400 sq ft x $11/sq ft | $4,400 |
2. Grading, Leveling, and Excavating
Grading, leveling, and excavating can become more complex and costly when a paver patio project involves taking down fences, addressing elevation issues, or constructing a retaining wall. These often require the expertise of a landscaping company in addition to paver installers.
Proper drainage and preventing water from flowing over the patio necessitates precise grading and may involve additional excavation work. This further contributes to the labor and operational costs.
These site-specific challenges are factors that influence the final cost to install pavers beyond the basic square footage estimates. While the cost for these services varies depending on the landscaping company, you can expect around $0.45 to $2.30 per square foot.
Grading, leveling, and excavating: 400 sq ft x $0.45-$2.30 = $180-$920
3. Dumping
Every paver construction requires dumping dirt and concrete loads into the site efficiently. For example, you may need 2 truckloads worth of dirt loads, which would amount to $320 or $160 each.
Additionally, a paver project may need 3 truckloads of concrete, costing $375 or $125 each. Total dumping costs amount to $695.
4. Fueling and Delivery
Fueling and delivery costs for patio pavers depend on some factors, including your location, distance, manufacturer, and current fuel prices. For this sample computation, we're setting $530 for the fueling and $585 for delivery.
5. Cleanup
The paver company is in charge of cleaning the leftover materials and pallets. The cheapest cleanup fee for paver installation can be around $250.
6. Pallet Fees
Paver manufacturers may charge a landscaping company with pallet fees. The palettes are used to handle and move large quantities of pavers, especially during loading, unloading, and storage. Pallet fees may start at $0.10 per square foot, which can cost $40 for a 400-square-foot paver project.
7. Portable Bathroom
For a 400-square-foot job with four to five crew members, paver installers can rent one ADA-compliant portable bathroom costing around $130 each.
Additional Paver Installation Cost
While the initial cost to install pavers can seem straightforward, other factors can lead to additional expenses beyond the basic materials and labor quoted by a landscaping company. Enhancements that significantly improve curb appeal can increase the project cost to install pavers.
| Factor | Computation |
|---|---|
| Unforeseen extras | $202 - $954.15 |
| Add-on services | $490.75-$941.50 |
| Add-on services | $490.75-$941.50 |
| Overhead costs | $774.30 - $1275.40 |
| Company profit | $77.43 - $510.16 |
1. Unforeseen Extras
Unforeseen issues during paver installation can impact the final paver installation cost, especially when considering the square footage. This depends on the nature of such projects, whether it's for a paver walkway or a paver driveway.
For instance, the discovery of thicker concrete than initially anticipated or the unexpected need for extensive root removal will necessitate extra labor and potentially specialized equipment. A landscaping company will discuss these possibilities beforehand to manage expectations.
| Extras | Cost |
|---|---|
| Thicker concrete bond beam | $0.50 - $1.00 per sq ft |
| Mesh or rebar in existing concrete | $0.50 - $1.00 per sq ft |
| Limited backyard access (inability to use Bobcat machinery) | $1.00 - $2.15 per sq ft |
| Root removal | $100 - $375 per load |
| Tree stump removal | $100 - $575 per stump |
2. Add-On Services
While the estimated cost for a paver patio or paver walkway covers the basic installation, opting for add-on services can lead to additional costs.
Do you want enhancements for patio pavers that could improve functionality? These could be the installation of outdoor lighting for evening use or the application of sealant to protect and seal pavers. Consider these extra features beyond the base paver installation when budgeting.
| Add-On Service | Costs |
|---|---|
| Drainage system pipes | $15 - $20 per linear foot |
| Drainage system drain caps | $50 - $150 each |
| Paver sealer | $0.75 - $1.50 per sq ft |
| Lights | $75 - $200 each |
| Lighting wire | $50 - $120 per roll |
| Lighting transformer | $300 - $450 |
3. Overhead Costs
Like any other business, paver companies need overhead budgets to survive and make sure daily operational expenses can serve clients. These include:
Workers' compensation insurance
General liability insurance
Business taxes
Marketing expenses
Payroll expenses
Accounting fees
Lawyer fees
Home Improvement Sales (HIS) license fees
Contractors bond
Corporation fees
Certifications
Administrative staff fees
Advertising/marketing expenses
Office expenses (company shirts, website, general supplies)
Car and truck expenses
Office rent
Internet and computers
Yard expenses
Utilities
While this isn't a definitive list, it will give you an idea of why businesses set aside at least 10% overhead. Besides, in case you require repairs during the warranty period, the paver company has a contingency fund for the project.
Company overhead cost: $7,743 - $12,754 (cost so far) x 10% = $774.30 - $1275.40
4. Company Profit
The cost to install pavers, whether for a paver walkway or a paver driveway, includes a company profit margin. This covers the business's sustainability and future service capabilities.
Industry-standard profit margins typically range from 10% to 40%, with anything exceeding this considered potentially excessive. This share funds the operation and growth of the paver installation company. It’s also strategically allocated to a repair contingency fund.
This enables paver installers to address warranty-related issues without compromising ongoing projects. This ultimately contributes to customer satisfaction. For this price guide, we’re going to use a profit margin of 10%.
| Percentage | Cost |
|---|---|
| $774.30 - $1275.40 x 10% | $77.43 - $127.54 |
| $774.30 - $1275.40 x 20% | $154.86 - $255.08 |
| $774.30 - $1275.40 x 30% | $232.29 - $382.62 |
| $774.30 - $1275.40 x 40% | $309.72 - $510.16 |
Paver Cost Calculator
Based on this paver installation estimation, materials, labor, operations, and additional charges create a comprehensive baseline expense range for projects. For this 400-square-foot paver installation example, the average installation cost spans from $1,544 to $12,621.65.
This can serve as a reference point for initial budgeting purposes. However, keep in mind that actual costs may vary depending on project size, material quality, site conditions, and regional labor rates.
| Category | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Materials | $2,640 - $3,176 |
| Labor and operations | $4,410 - $7,550 |
| Additional charges | $692.75 - $1895.65 |
| Average paver installation costs | $1,544 - $12,621.65 |
Benefits and Downsides of Paver Installation Costs
Weighing both the pros and cons of paver installation costs can help you make better choices about upgrading your outdoor living space investment. It’s important to balance the initial expenses against long-term return and functionality.
Pros
The investment in a quality paver patio, walkway, or driveway increases property value and enhances curb appeal, providing an excellent return on investment.
While it depends on the material, pavers offer superior durability and are low maintenance compared to alternative surfaces, reducing long-term repair expenses per square foot.
The versatility of pavers allows for customization with more intricate patio paver patterns and designs that complement your home's architecture.
Professional installation promotes proper drainage and structural integrity, preventing costly water damage and extending the lifespan of your paver project.
Cons
Initial installation costs are usually higher than concrete or asphalt, with labor costs representing a significant portion of the total paver project expense.
Additional operation fees may apply for a complex paver project requiring specialized equipment, retaining wall integration, or challenging site conditions.
Premium materials like natural stone pavers can dramatically increase the price per square foot.
The more intricate the pattern, the higher the installation cost due to increased labor time and material waste.
Related Questions
How Much Does a 20x20 Paver Patio Cost DIY?
A 20x20 paver patio (400 sq ft) would cost approximately $2,640-$3,308 for materials alone, which would be your DIY cost without labor expenses. This includes pavers, road base, geotextile fabric, bedding sand, concrete material, and joint sand.
How Much Does It Cost to Install 12x12 Pavers?
Based on our sample calculation, a professional installation of a 12x12 paver area (144 sq ft) would cost approximately $556-$1,325 total, scaling down from the 400 sq ft example, which costs at least $1,544. This price may include materials, labor, operations, and additional charges.
Can I Install Pavers By Myself?
Technically, yes, it's possible to install the pavers by yourself. However, even professionals spend at least 35 hours installing a 300-square-foot paver patio, so it would take significantly longer for you. Also, consider if you have all the necessary materials and knowledge to avoid catastrophic mistakes.
Are Pavers Easy to Clean?
Installed pavers are easy to clean, making them ideal for constructing a paver driveway or walkway. There are several ways to maintain pavers, including sweeping, pressure washing, pouring homemade solutions, and using cleaning materials.
Conclusion
Whether you're planning to renovate or sell your home, having outdoor living spaces adds elegance to properties. The upfront cost of installing pavers depends on the project's scope. However, the long-term beauty and functionality benefits will be worth it.