Most newer homes around Houston come with a small builder patio. It fits a grill and two chairs, and that is about it. If you want room for a table, a fire pit or an outdoor kitchen, a patio extension is usually the best value in your backyard.
So what does one cost? Here is what we see on our jobs.
Typical Price Range
Most patio extensions we pour fall somewhere between $1,800 and $8,000. A small add-on of about 100 square feet sits at the low end. A large wraparound extension that doubles your outdoor space sits at the high end.
Every yard is different, so the only way to get a real number is an on-site estimate. Ours are free.
What Changes the Price
Size. Square footage is the biggest factor. More area means more concrete, more steel and more labor.
Site prep. A flat, open yard is quick to prep. A yard with a slope, old pavers or a wood deck to remove takes more work.
Thickness and reinforcement. If you plan to put a heavy outdoor kitchen or a hot tub on the new slab, we thicken it and add more steel.
Access. If a truck can reach the backyard, the pour is simpler. Tight side yards can mean extra labor to move concrete.
Tying Into Your Existing Patio
A good extension should look like it was always there. We drill into the edge of your current slab and set steel dowels so the new concrete stays level with the old. Then we match the broom finish as closely as concrete allows and keep the slope running away from your house.
HOA Approval in Cypress
Many neighborhoods in Cypress, like Bridgeland and Towne Lake, ask homeowners to submit plans before adding concrete. We can help you put together a simple drawing with dimensions and materials so your approval goes smoothly.
Concrete vs. Pavers vs. a Wood Deck
Homeowners often ask if they should extend with pavers or build a deck instead. Here is how we see it for Houston yards.
Concrete is usually the best value per square foot. It ties into your existing patio, it handles heavy grills and outdoor kitchens, and it needs very little upkeep. A broom finish gives good grip when it rains.
Pavers look great, but they cost more to install and they can shift and settle in clay soil if the base is not built well. Weeds and ants can also work their way up between the joints.
Wood decks need sealing or staining every few years, and Houston humidity is hard on lumber. Decks also are not a good base for an outdoor kitchen.
For most families who want more usable space without a lot of maintenance, a concrete extension is the simplest answer.
How Long Does It Take?
Most patio extensions take one to two days of work on site. Day one is usually prep: removing grass, grading, building forms, setting dowels and laying rebar. The pour often happens the same day or the next morning. After that, the concrete needs a few days before you put furniture on it and about a week before anything heavy.
Weather is the biggest wild card. We watch the forecast and plan pours around heavy rain, so a storm might move your pour by a day or two.
Questions to Ask Any Contractor
Before you hire anyone for a patio extension, ask these questions:
- Will you dowel the new slab into my existing patio?
- Will there be rebar on chairs, or wire mesh, or nothing?
- How thick will the new slab be?
- Which way will water drain?
- Is cleanup and haul-off included in the price?
- Are you licensed and insured?
A good contractor will have clear answers. If someone cannot explain how the new concrete connects to the old, keep looking.
Planning the Right Size
Think about how you will actually use the space. A dining table for six needs roughly 12 by 12 feet. If you might add an outdoor kitchen later, plan for it now so the slab is thick enough. Our 5-in-1 Outdoor Kitchen Package can be installed on the same project.
Ready to see what your extension would cost? Call Quality Construction at (346) 460-3911 or learn more about our patio extensions in Cypress and Houston. You can also send us your project details.