Cost Comparison – Paver Patio vs Natural Stone Patio
Welcome to the world of Outdoor Living, the fastest growing segment in the green industry. That was BEFORE the CoVid pandemic of 2020. After the pandemic, the growth rates will be even more accelerated as homeowners near Sparta, NJ, Blairstown, NJ, and nationwide turn to their own properties for respite instead of the worldly travels they perhaps were used to enjoying before 2020. This means there will be more demand, which means more startup companies, more manufactures, and more information all around. The trouble is that most of the time this just adds to confusion for homeowners looking to hire a Landscape Designer as they are met with an almost paralyzing amount of information that doesn’t quite answer the most common questions.
I answer questions daily from potential clients, social media users, and viewers of our YouTube channel (click here) regarding material selections, pricing, techniques, and long term maintenance requirements. I am honored that our brand equity has instilled such confidence in the world. I am here to help homeowners gain peace of mind and clarity, without sacrificing core values, by providing well planned environments, which bring them closer to nature.
One of the top questions I receive is about the costs associated with creating areas using different materials. Let’s take a moment and review some of the options and what goes into each.
The Scenario:
Jack & Jill are looking into an outdoor living area. They have determined that a 500 square foot patio, average in size, would meet their needs for their 5 person family. They are hoping to gain a space to not only eat outside comfortably, but place their BBQ and also enjoy the evenings while the children catch fireflies in the yard. They visited the local supply yard and are now looking at a stack of catalogs and material price ranges from $5-20 per ft, and that is before any supplies, delivery or labor.
A typical site for us, but often overwhelming for the first timer.
The Consideration:
They are interested in something durable, attractive, and easy to care for. They have narrowed their choices down to a popular concrete paver and a natural stone patio. They are curious about the cost differences.
The Inside Scoop:
They say the devil is in the details. The details will make a significant difference in the overall result and the overall price. For the purpose of this comparison it is important to consider that the details, workmanship, size, shape and cost driving elements are on the same plane. We will make that assumption.
Details make the difference!
The Comparison:
When it comes to the cost comparison of pavers vs natural stone we want to review the differences in materials and labor alone. We assume that both considerations are going off of the same base structure. At Sierra we use our trademark Nara System to ensure peace of mind and lasting results of the base structure by using modern technology combined with old world techniques. You can learn more here.
In 2020, at the time of writing, the average concrete paver such at Techo Bloc – Blu60, Cambridge – Ledgestone, Ep Henry – Bristol, or Unilock – Beacon Hill costs around $6 per square ft just for the paver itself. Certain pavers can cost around $10 or more per square foot.
Paver walkway in a popular pattern in 2019.
In comparison, a large format bluestone flagstone such as pictured here will also cost around $6 per square foot for raw material. Certain types of stone can be more costly, upwards of $15-20 per ft.
Flagstone raw material ready for our craftsmen!
In both situations, as we described above, the base is the same. To get to the point of installing the pavers or stone surfaces, the area must be prepped which could include the removal of lawn or perhaps old decks or patios, the installation of drainage or conduits for utilities if required, the excavation of the land for the base and handling of that excavated material, and the installation of the Nara System base or similar base structure. The cost to get to this point will range from $12-$20 per ft average based on layout and site conditions.
Yes, it fit with a few inches to spare!
If you are following along this places the cost for materials at $18-$40 per ft before any work has actually begun. Let’s have a look at the labor now and see how this stacks up. There are 2 main factors.
As will be true with just about any manufactured product the benefit is in efficiency. With concrete pavers the manufacturing allows for consistent dimensions which allows installers to work faster and with a lower level of skill required. For Jack and Jill’s 500 square foot patio, it would not be uncommon for a small team with moderate experience to install the final surface in approximately 2 days. At an average cost of $3000 per day, this places the cost for the actual paver surface at around $12 per ft.
Conversely, working with natural stone often means that the installer is working with what the earth has provided them in the form of a raw material. This means that the material requires more hands on time in order to trim and shape the material into the desired shapes and sizes in order to meet the project needs. This also requires a different set of tools and the knowledge of how to properly work with the material. All this means more time and more expense. The same 500 sq ft patio that Jack and Jill are after would take on average 5 days to create the walking surface using a large flagstone. At an average cost of $3000 per day, this places the cost to create the final surface from the raw material at around $30 per ft.
Ok, so you might be asking yourself why anyone would pay more for the natural stone. The answer is simple. It is a personal choice. Some people are OK driving a car that costs $20,000 with a top speed of 85 MPH and others might want to drive a car that costs 3 times as much and goes twice as fast. It is a personal choice and there is no right answer. At Sierra our clients choose natural stone most often because they enjoy the warmth, color tone, and longevity that a natural product provides. There are many people out there, actually the majority at about 90% of the industry, who prefer the cost effectiveness and ease of use of a manufactured product. The shorter life expectancy often does not bother them as the manufactured products are trendier and in 15-20 years the style will be different any ways. Which philosophy do you live your life by?
The Summary:
So Jack and Jill will be looking at 2 options. Their 500 square foot patio will cost approximately $26,000-$15,000 if they go with concrete pavers, but they know if they are in the same home 20 years from now they might be looking at this expense again. At Sierra we frequently find that although the middle of the road paver is often the choice of most, the current trends of adding details around the perimeter and inside of the patio, result in patio designs selected by homeowners, which will cost $25,000 - $20,000 to complete, before additional landscaping, lighting, walls, outdoor kitchen, or patio furniture is discussed.
Completed paver patio in Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Even though the price point is more attractive to Jack and Jill with the above, they are gravitating towards selecting the natural stone surface. They intend to stay in the home until they retire and anticipate that this will be about 25 years. They enjoy being outside not just at home, but also in life. The natural stone makes them feel like they feel when they are in the woods hiking, or at the park enjoying lunch with their family. Having this in their own yard will bring that feeling of tranquility into their home environment. Their 500 sq ft Nara Flagstone patio will cost $32,000-$27,000 to complete, before adding the other final touches to their new Outdoor Living area.
Flagstone patio in Blairstown, NJ
Which would you choose?
So there is no right choice, but perhaps this article has helped you gain a little more clarity on what is involved and what the differences might be. If you would like more information please feel free to reach out, we would love to speak with you. As always if you are not sure if you are right for Sierra, but you know someone who might be we would appreciate it if you spread the word. Thanks for taking the time to read our content. Check out the video version here!
Watch the Nara System trailer here!