Backyard Concrete Patios and Walks in Chicago
A plain concrete patio in the Chicago area runs $7–$23 per square foot, the low end for a broom finish over a basic base and the high end with tear-out and more included. For most patios on a Chicago lot the city doesn't require a building permit, which puts more weight on what the quote itself promises. Our vetted local concrete pro can measure the yard and write that down.
Typical price in Chicago: Plain concrete patio, installed$7–$23 per sq ftSource: 2 Chicago-area contractor price pages, price data from September 17, 2026
Send the details and our vetted local concrete pro gets back to you. No obligation.
- Price ranges from sourced dataUpdated September 17, 2026
- 4towns covered in Chicago
Reviewed by: Patrik Lorentzson, Editor, Chicago Prime Concrete · Last reviewed
General information only, not advice for your project. Chicago Prime Concrete does not advise on, design or manage projects; the contractor you choose does.
What does a 16x20 patio cost?
A 16x20 broom-finish patio typically lands between $2,200 and $4,500 installed, and stamping roughly doubles it. A plain broom-finish patio runs $7 to $14 per square foot in the Chicago suburbs, or $13 to $23 per square foot with tear-out, excavation, gravel base and rebar included. For patterns and color, see stamped concrete in Chicago.
Does a patio need a permit in Chicago?
Not in most backyards. Chicago doesn't require a building permit to install a concrete or brick patio or walkway that isn't in the public way, sits no more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, and isn't over a basement or story below. The suburbs differ: Naperville requires a permit above 500 square feet of paving, and Des Plaines allows patios only in the rear yard. The permit guide has the details.
What should a patio quote spell out?
The base, the slope, the joints, the reinforcement and any tear-out, each in writing.
- Base: the stone type and compacted depth. A typical local patio price covers excavation, a compacted stone base, forms, a 4-inch air-entrained pour, finish and joints.
- Slope: which way water leaves the slab, and how far from the foundation it drains.
- Joints: where the control joints go, so cracks follow a line.
- Reinforcement: fiber, mesh or rebar, and why.
- Tear-out: whether removing an old patio or lawn is in the price.
The hiring guide covers licenses and contracts.
When is the best time to pour a patio?
Between roughly May and October, Chicago's concrete season. Cold-weather work outside that window needs heated enclosures, hot water in the mix and insulated blankets, easily adding $2–$5 per square foot. Suburbs publish their own cold-weather limits; Joliet and Des Plaines both set temperature rules for flatwork.
Sources
- B.G. Concrete (Wood Dale): concrete patio cost in the Chicago area (June 2026), September 17, 2026
- ZBL Concrete & Design (Lockport): concrete pricing 2026, September 17, 2026
- Chicago Department of Buildings: work that does not require a building permit, September 17, 2026
- SlabCalc: concrete patio cost, Chicago (model from IDOT bid data, May 2026), September 17, 2026
- ConstructlyTools: concrete slab cost in Chicago (2026 cost model), September 17, 2026
Old driveway cracked, or a garage slab to pour?
Fill in the short form and our vetted local concrete pro follows up about your job.
Frequently asked questions
Can a patio connect straight to the driveway?
Not in every town. Des Plaines, for example, requires a walkway between a patio and a driveway rather than a direct connection. Chicago homeowners should check the zoning rules for their lot before the forms go in.
Should a patio be sealed?
Yes, especially where salt reaches it. Professional sealing costs about $1–$3 per square foot. Ask whether the first sealer coat is in the quote.