A professionally built paver patio from Quiet Village starts at about $66 per square foot, installed. For a typical 300 to 400 square foot backyard patio, that works out to roughly $20,000 to $26,000. Walls, drainage, lighting, and other features add to that.
If you have been searching online, that may be higher than some of the averages you have seen. Below, we explain what goes into the price, what changes it, and what to ask when you compare quotes, so you can go into your first conversation knowing what to expect.
We have been building patios across the St. Louis area since 2001, so we will also share a few things that are specific to building here.
What a paver patio costs by size
Here is roughly what a Quiet Village paver patio costs at a few common sizes, based on our 2026 rate of about $66 per square foot:
Patio size | Example dimensions | Good for | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
100 sq. ft. | 10 x 10 | A bistro table or reading nook | About $6,600 |
200 sq. ft. | 10 x 20 | A small dining set | About $13,200 |
300 sq. ft. | 15 x 20 | Dining plus a few lounge chairs | About $19,800 |
400 sq. ft. | 20 x 20 | Room to entertain | About $26,400 |
500 sq. ft. | 20 x 25 | Dining and lounge zones | About $33,000 |
Every project has a $2,500 minimum.
Why online averages can look lower
Many cost guides online quote much lower per square foot prices for pavers. Those averages often reflect simple installs, they do not always say what is included, and the contractors can be less reliable.
When you compare quotes, ask each contractor the same questions: How deep will the gravel base be? How will water drain? Is design, excavation, and hauling included? What kind of edging holds the pavers in place? Two quotes that look far apart often turn out to describe very different patios.
We use pavers for most of our patios because they flex with the ground instead of cracking, and a damaged paver can be lifted and replaced without tearing out the whole patio. In St. Louis clay, that makes a real difference over the years.
What else affects the price
The patio itself is usually the biggest line on the estimate, but what is happening around it matters too. These are the things that most often change the total.
Size. Pricing is by the square foot, so the total grows with the patio. Planning the size around how you will actually use the space is the easiest way to keep the budget in check.
Removing lawn or an old patio. Taking out existing sod runs about $1.25 per square foot. Hauling away old concrete or debris runs about $108 per cubic yard, or about $700 for a dump truck load of up to 10 yards.
Slopes and retaining walls. If your yard slopes, the patio may need a retaining wall to create a level space. A 3 foot retaining wall runs about $140 per square foot of wall face, and a 5 foot wall about $300.
Drainage. Getting water away from the patio and your house is one of the most important parts of the job. A channel drain along the patio edge runs about $150 per linear foot, a French drain about $120 per linear foot, and a flow well about $3,200 each.
Access. If equipment cannot easily get into the backyard, more of the work is done by hand, which adds time.
Shape and pattern. Curves, multiple levels, and detailed patterns take more time and material than a simple rectangle.
Why building a patio in St. Louis is different
St. Louis is a great place to have a patio, but it is a tough place to build one. A few local conditions shape how we build, and they are worth understanding before you compare quotes.
Clay soil. Much of the St. Louis area sits on heavy clay. It swells when it is wet and shrinks when it dries out, and that movement pushes on whatever is sitting on top of it. A patio built without a deep, well compacted gravel base will shift, sink, or crack within a few seasons.
Freeze and thaw. Our winters bounce above and below freezing over and over. Water that gets under a patio freezes, expands, and lifts the surface. Good drainage and the right base are what keep that from happening. The local frost line sits around 18 to 24 inches deep, which matters for any pergola or cover posts you add later.
Heavy rain. When a storm rolls through, water needs somewhere to go. A patio should be pitched slightly away from your house so water runs off instead of pooling against your foundation.
Our brick heritage. St. Louis has one of the richest brick building traditions in the country. In older neighborhoods especially, a brick paver patio can tie your outdoor space to the character of your home in a way other materials cannot.
This is why the cheapest quote is not always the best deal here. When two bids are far apart, the difference is often in the base and drainage work. It is fair to ask every contractor how deep their base will be and how they plan to handle water.
Popular add-ons to plan for
A lot of homeowners start out wanting “just a patio” and end up wanting a full outdoor room. That is completely normal, and it is easier and cheaper to plan for these features from the start than to add them later.
- Seat walls and garden walls. Low walls give you built-in seating and help define the space. A 2 foot garden wall runs about $83 per linear foot.
- Stepping stones and paths. Flagstone steppers connecting the patio to the house, driveway, or garden run about $90 each.
- Lighting. Low voltage lighting makes the patio usable after dark. Plan on about $350 per fixture, plus about $1,400 for the transformer that powers the system.
- Outdoor kitchens. A grill station or full outdoor kitchen runs about $1,700 per linear foot, so a 12 foot kitchen is around $20,400. Gas lines and electrical work require licensed trades.
- Fire features. A fire pit or fireplace extends your patio season well into the fall. Gas features need a licensed plumber.
Even if you are not ready to build everything now, let your designer know what you might want down the road. Running a gas line or electrical conduit before the pavers go down saves you from tearing them up later.
How to get the most out of your budget
A few simple choices can stretch your budget without cutting corners where it counts.
- Never skimp on the base. If you need to save money, choose a simpler material or a smaller footprint. Do not choose a thinner base. In our soil, the base is what you are really paying for.
- Size it to how you live. Think about how many people you usually host and what furniture you want. Leave about three feet of clearance around furniture so people can move comfortably.
- Keep the shape simple. A clean rectangle with a nice border can look just as polished as a complex curved design, for less.
- Mix materials. A concrete or paver field with a brick or stone border gives you a high end look at a lower cost.
- Build in phases. Put in the patio now and plan the fire pit, kitchen, or shade structure for next year. Just plan the utilities up front.
When is the best time to build?
Spring and early fall are the busiest times for patio contractors in St. Louis, which means schedules fill up fast. If you want your patio ready for spring, the best time to start planning is fall and winter. That gives you time to work through the design, get on the schedule early, and be ready to enjoy it as soon as the weather turns warm.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum project size? Yes. Our projects have a $2,500 minimum, which covers a small patio or a few smaller improvements done together.
Are pavers worth the extra cost? For most St. Louis yards, yes. Pavers move with our clay soil instead of cracking, and individual pavers can be replaced if one gets damaged. That usually means fewer repairs over the life of the patio.
Do I need a permit for a patio in St. Louis? A ground level patio that is not attached to your home often does not need a building permit in the City of St. Louis. Raised patios, covers, and anything attached to the house usually do, and historic districts have extra review. Rules vary by municipality, so a good contractor will check for you.
Does a patio add value to my home? It can. Professionally installed patios in St. Louis often return 50% to 70% of their cost, with brick, stone, shade, and fire features toward the higher end. Just as important, it adds a space you will use every week.
How long does installation take? Most standard patios take a few days to a couple of weeks once work begins, depending on size, materials, and weather.
Let’s talk about your patio
Every yard is different, and the best way to get a real number is to have someone walk your property with you. Our team will look at your soil, slope, and drainage, listen to how you want to use the space, and give you a clear picture of your options at a few different price points.
