Why so many Little Elm patios are extensions
Walk through Union Park or Paloma Creek and you will see the same thing behind house after house: a small covered slab off the back door, maybe 10 by 12, just big enough for two chairs and a grill. Builders pour it that way to keep the base price down. Most owners want more room within a year or two.
So a big part of our patio work is extending that slab. We drill and pin steel dowels into the old edge, set an isolation joint, and pour the new section at the right height so it does not trip anyone. Done this way, the old and new slabs move together without cracking at the seam.
Patio cost by size and finish
These are installed planning ranges on a four-inch slab with standard base prep. They do not include tear-out, steps, or features like seat walls. Use them to set a budget before we come out.
| Patio size | Sq ft | Broom ($6 to $10) | Exposed aggregate ($9 to $14) | Stamped ($12 to $20) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 x 14 | 168 | $1,010 to $1,680 | $1,510 to $2,350 | $2,020 to $3,360 |
| 14 x 18 | 252 | $1,510 to $2,520 | $2,270 to $3,530 | $3,020 to $5,040 |
| 18 x 20 | 360 | $2,160 to $3,600 | $3,240 to $5,040 | $4,320 to $7,200 |
| 20 x 24 | 480 | $2,880 to $4,800 | $4,320 to $6,720 | $5,760 to $9,600 |
What raises the price
Square footage sets the base number, but several site details can push a quote up. Here is what we look at on every back yard walk-through:
- Access. Narrow side yards and tall fences mean we pump the concrete or wheelbarrow it in. A pump adds a day rate to the job.
- Tear-out. Removing an old cracked slab adds $1 to $4 per square foot.
- Grade and drainage. Flat lots need the patio pitched away from the house, and sometimes a drain line around it.
- Finish upgrades. Exposed aggregate runs $9 to $14, stamped or colored $12 to $20 per square foot.
- Extras. Steps, curved edges, a seat wall, or a fire pit pad each add labor and forms.
- Sealing. $1 to $3 per square foot, needed on stamped and colored work.
Ground prep on lake-area lots
Little Elm sits on expansive clay, and lots closer to Lewisville Lake can stay damp for days after a storm. We do not pour a patio on soft, wet ground. If a spot is spongy, we dig it out and replace it with compacted select fill before the forms go in. That adds cost, but it is the difference between a patio that stays flat and one that tips toward the house in its third summer.
The steel matters too. We set rebar on chairs so it sits in the middle of the slab, and we cut joints close enough that cracks follow our lines instead of wandering across the middle. None of that shows once the patio is finished, which is exactly why it is worth asking about when you compare quotes.
We also check where your gutters drain. A downspout dumping right at the patio edge keeps the clay wet on one side and dry on the other. Moving it is cheap and protects the slab. For a deeper look at soil prep, read our guide on building on clay soil.
Ways to stretch your patio budget
You do not have to stamp the whole thing to get a nice result. A broom-finish field with a stamped or smooth border looks finished for far less. Square shapes cost less than curves because forms go up faster. Pouring the patio at the same visit as a walkway or a side-yard pad saves a second trip and a second concrete minimum.
If you plan to add an outdoor kitchen or a pergola later, tell us now. We can thicken the slab under those spots and run conduit before the pour, which is far cheaper than cutting concrete later. For layout ideas, see our patio ideas guide. When you are ready for a firm number, call (469) 430-2766 and we will come out and measure for a free written estimate on your concrete patio.
Common questions
Is there a minimum charge for a small patio?
Small pours carry fixed costs like the concrete truck, forms, and crew time, so a tiny pad costs more per square foot than a big one. Pairing it with another small job, like a walkway, helps.
Can you extend my patio under the existing roof?
Yes. We pin the new slab to the old one with steel dowels and match the height. We work around roof posts and can pour footings for new posts if you plan to extend the cover.
Do I need a permit for a patio in Little Elm?
Many flatwork projects need a permit from the Town of Little Elm, and HOAs often want to approve size and placement too. Rules change, so we check the current requirements for your address before we pour.
How long before I can use my new patio?
You can walk on it the next day. Wait about a week before setting heavy furniture, grills, or planters on it, and keep it damp the first few days in summer so it cures evenly.