How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost in California?
Stamped concrete costs about $12 to $42 per square foot installed around the Inland Empire. Plain broom-finished concrete runs about $7.50 to $20 per square foot. Basic and mid-range stamped jobs average about $12 to $29 per square foot.
California labor costs more than the national average, so the same job costs more here than the national guides suggest. These are market ranges for the Inland Empire, not our price list. BGC Construction pours stamped concrete patios and driveways for homes in Homeland and across the Inland Empire. We look at each job and put the quote in writing.
How much more does stamped concrete cost than plain concrete?
Stamping adds color and a lot of hand work to a plain slab. One national guide says decorative finishes like stamping can double or triple the price per square foot. The pattern goes in while the concrete is still soft, so bigger pours need a team on the slab.
| Design level | What it looks like | Market range per square foot, installed |
|---|---|---|
| Plain concrete | Gray slab with a broom finish | $7.50 to $20 |
| Basic stamped | One pattern and one color | $12 to $20 |
| Mid-range stamped | Two or more colors and a border | $18 to $29 |
| High-end stamped | Layered colors and hand-carved detail | $27 to $42 |
These ranges are market figures for the Inland Empire. Some figures run higher, with one ZIP-code estimate putting stamped work at about $39 to $47 per square foot.
What does a stamped concrete patio cost by size?
These are installed ranges for common patio sizes around the Inland Empire. The stamped column covers basic to mid-range designs.
| Patio size | Square feet | Plain concrete | Stamped concrete |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 by 10 feet | 100 | $600 to $1,800 | $1,200 to $2,850 |
| 12 by 12 feet | 144 | $900 to $2,550 | $1,750 to $4,150 |
| 10 by 20 feet | 200 | $1,200 to $3,600 | $2,400 to $5,700 |
| 15 by 20 feet | 300 | $1,800 to $5,400 | $3,600 to $8,550 |
| 20 by 20 feet | 400 | $2,400 to $7,200 | $4,800 to $11,400 |
High-end designs run past these numbers. Removing an old slab and grading the ground come on top.
Run the per-foot tiers on a 15 by 20 foot patio, which is 300 square feet. Basic work comes to about $3,600 to $6,000. Mid-range work comes to about $5,400 to $8,700. High-end work comes to about $8,100 to $12,600. Breaking out an old patio first adds about $900 to $3,600 more.
A two-car stamped driveway about 24 by 24 feet runs about $10,350 to $15,600 around the Inland Empire. If a plain slab fits the plan better, we pour concrete patios and concrete driveways too.
What moves the price of stamped concrete?
- Pattern. A standard stamp pattern costs less than a custom one. Wood plank looks and hand-carved detail sit at the top of the range.
- Color system. Integral color is mixed into the concrete before it is poured. A color hardener is spread on the wet surface for a richer top color, which adds a step. A colored release goes on during stamping and leaves an accent color after it washes off. Each added color raises the price.
- Borders and bands. A border in a second pattern or color moves a job up a tier, to about $18 to $27 per square foot.
- Size and shape. Bigger slabs cost less per square foot, and small jobs often carry a minimum fee. Curves and custom shapes need more form work.
- Site work. Breaking out an old slab adds about $3 to $12 per square foot. Regrading a sloped yard adds about $0.60 to $3 per square foot. Tight side-yard access adds labor.
- Sealing. A new stamped slab gets sealed, and the sealer needs a fresh coat every 2 to 3 years. Professional cleaning and sealing runs about $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot.
Does stamped concrete cost more in California?
Labor is the biggest part of the bill. One national guide puts labor at roughly 50 to 60 percent of a concrete patio’s cost. Stamping puts more hand work on top of that.
Federal wage data for May 2025 put California cement masons and concrete finishers at about $34 an hour on average. The national average was about $29. In the Riverside and San Bernardino metro area, it was about $32.
That puts California pay roughly 18 percent above the national figure. National cost guides give one range for the whole country. So the same job in California tends to price above their averages.
Stamped concrete vs pavers: which costs less up front?
Around the Inland Empire, pavers run about $15 to $26 per square foot, versus $12 to $29 stamped. For a 20 by 20 foot patio, that is about $5,700 to $10,200 for pavers versus $4,800 to $11,400 stamped.
Basic stamped work usually costs less than pavers when the design stays simple. If you add layered colors and hand-carved detail, stamped work can pass the price of pavers. Upkeep differs too. Stamped concrete needs resealing every 2 to 3 years, and the same guide rates it harder to repair. Guides say pavers move slightly over time but are easier to fix when one piece shifts.
We pour concrete, so pavers are a job for a paver installer. Our concrete vs pavers guide covers that choice for a patio.
How do you get a real number for your stamped concrete?
Start with the size of the area and the look you want. Note any old concrete that has to come out and how a truck reaches the spot. Then ask for a written price that spells out the pattern, the colors, the border and the sealer.
Pattern ideas and color choices are on our stamped concrete service page. BGC looks at the job and puts the quote in writing. Call or text (951) 483-4138 to set up a visit.