A 20 x 20 patio covers 400 square feet, but material is only one part of the installed price. This concrete vs pavers cost for a 20 x 20 outdoor area guide compares 2026 national planning estimates: Angi lists about $2,400–$6,400 for a 20-by-20 concrete patio, while HomeAdvisor’s $8–$25 per-square-foot paver range works out to about $3,200–$10,000 for 400 square feet. Local bids may differ, and the inclusions need to match before you compare totals.
What the published ranges mean
The concrete estimate comes from Angi’s 2026 cost guide, which gives a size-specific range for a 20 x 20 slab. The paver estimate is calculated by multiplying HomeAdvisor’s published installed rate of $8–$25 per square foot by 400 square feet. These sources use national cost data and broad project categories; they are not quotes for your address. Concrete vs pavers cost for a 20 x 20 outdoor area guide is an early budget comparison, not a promise of final price.
The ranges overlap because project details vary widely. A basic broom-finished slab on an accessible, level site can land differently from stamped concrete with demolition and drainage work. Pavers may use basic concrete units on a simple pattern or premium natural stone with many cuts and a complex border. The word “installed” does not always mean the same scope across cost guides. Keep concrete vs pavers cost for a 20 x 20 outdoor area guide in perspective: both estimates can change once excavation and drainage are included.
Cost comparison at a glance
| Surface for 400 sq. ft. | Published basis | Approximate planning range | | --- | --- | ---: | | Concrete patio | Angi's 2026 size estimate | $2,400–$6,400 | | Paver patio | HomeAdvisor's $8–$25 per sq. ft. estimate, multiplied by 400 | $3,200–$10,000 |
Use the paver range as a calculation, not a separately verified HomeAdvisor quote for this exact 20 x 20 size. If you compare a decorative concrete project with basic pavers—or a basic slab with premium stone—the materials and finish are not equivalent. Ask each contractor to price the same footprint, base preparation, pattern, edge, and cleanup.
What drives concrete costs
Concrete pricing responds to access, excavation, grading, slab thickness, reinforcement, finish, control joints, and delivery. A concrete truck may not reach a backyard, requiring a pump or longer material handling. Removing an old patio, tree roots, or unstable soil adds labor and disposal. A stamped or colored finish needs additional materials and a crew familiar with that technique.
Concrete is poured as one surface with planned joints, but it can still crack. The contractor should describe the base preparation, slope, reinforcement, joint placement, cure protection, and sealer option. Ask where water will drain and how the patio meets the house. A low price that omits excavation or drainage may leave a poor result.
What drives paver costs
Pavers require excavation and a compacted base, bedding material, edge restraint, joint sand, and careful leveling. The pattern affects labor: straight rows are usually simpler than curves, borders, and multiple colors. Natural stone can cost more than standard concrete units, and small pieces require more cuts. Access and removal of the excavated soil also affect labor.
Pavers have joints that can be repaired individually if one piece settles or cracks, but joints need maintenance. The base and drainage still matter; a well-made paver surface can shift if the foundation is poorly prepared. Ask what base depth and compaction method are specified for your soil and climate, and whether the quote includes edge restraint and joint material.
Compare the full site scope
Before accepting an estimate, check whether it includes:
- demolition and haul-away of an existing surface;
- excavation, soil disposal, and site access equipment;
- compacted base and geotextile if appropriate;
- concrete reinforcement, forms, and control joints;
- paver bedding, edge restraint, cuts, and joint sand;
- drainage slope, channel drains, or downspout changes;
- permits, inspections, and utility marking;
- steps, retaining edges, and connection to doors or walkways;
- sealer, cleanup, and workmanship warranty.
If the yard slopes toward the house, the design may need grading or drainage improvements before either material is installed. Check local rules for impervious surface coverage and stormwater runoff. Do not direct water onto a neighbor’s property or foundation.
Function and upkeep
Concrete is a continuous surface that can feel smooth under furniture and is often easy to sweep. Pavers offer more pattern choices and easier localized replacement, but weeds or joint movement may need attention. Neither option is maintenance-free. Consider snow removal, freeze-thaw cycles, tree roots, outdoor cooking, accessibility, and whether you want a future pergola or heavy feature.
If you plan to add a roof or pergola, coordinate its footings before the patio surface is built. Posts should not rely on an ordinary slab unless the structural plan says it can carry the load. Otherwise, a later installation may require cutting the new patio.
Get comparable local bids
Give two or three qualified contractors the same drawing and ask for itemized estimates. Confirm permits, base depth, material brand or type, finish, drainage, schedule, deposit, and warranty in writing. Ask to see recent projects with a similar material and size. Local labor, soil, access, and finish preferences matter more than a national average when signing a contract. Use concrete vs pavers cost for a 20 x 20 outdoor area guide only to decide which bids to request, then compare the actual site scopes.
The practical takeaway
For an early 2026 comparison, use roughly $2,400–$6,400 for a concrete 20 x 20 patio and $3,200–$10,000 for pavers based on a published national square-foot range. The concrete vs pavers cost for a 20 x 20 outdoor area guide is useful for framing a budget, but your final choice should compare local bids with the same base, finish, drainage, and site work included.