On average, a concrete sidewalk costs around $1,800
Adding a concrete walkway gives your home a path around the house—and also keeps you from tripping on rocks or uneven patches of your lawn. Depending on how long of a path you need, your concrete walkway cost will be anywhere from $1,200 to $2,400.
How Much Does a Concrete Walkway Cost by Square Footage?
The average concrete sidewalk costs about $1,800 for 200 square feet. This comes down to around $9 per square foot of concrete laid and finished, including labor.
But concrete isn’t thin like a sheet of paper, so you’ll also need to consider the walkway’s thickness. Most walkways are around 4 inches thick, but you might need more or less, depending on your terrain.
Concrete Walkway Cost Breakdown
The cost of a concrete walkway is pretty straightforward: you’re going to pay for the labor, materials, and whether you need a permit.
Labor
The cost to install a sidewalk or another concrete path is around $75 per hour for labor. Depending on where you live, this can fluctuate between $50 to $125 per hour.
It typically takes around 18 hours to pave and finish a 200-square-foot concrete pathway. So you’re looking at paying around $1,350 on average for the labor. But, again, this could fluctuate between $900 to $2,250.
Materials
You’ll need concrete (obviously) and your choice of two different reinforcing materials: wire mesh or rebar.
For the average 200-square-foot sidewalk, you’ll need around 2.5 cubic yards of concrete. This will cost you around $250, but you should order more on the off chance that your sidewalk is thicker than the 4-inch average. You’ll also need to pay a local pro to deliver the concrete. Typically, concrete delivery costs $100 to $200, depending on how fast and when you want the materials delivered.
Wire mesh is a thin, yet strong layer that goes into the concrete. It’s laid out in a square pattern and offers more reinforcement points, making it perfect for small projects such as a pathway. Wire mesh will cost around $50 to $200 depending on how much you need.
Rebar is a steel bar and a thicker alternative to wire mesh. You’ll find that while it doesn’t offer as many reinforcement points, the steel bars’ thickness still offers stability for your new concrete walkway. Rebar typically costs around $100 for a 200-square-foot sidewalk project.
Possible Permits
Depending on where you’re laying your new concrete sidewalk, you may need to pull a permit. This mostly matters for those who are connecting their new sidewalk to an existing one or to the road, as those may fall into public property rather than private.
Permits will cost around $200 to $1,000. When you hire a local concrete company, they’ll be able to let you know if one is needed.
How Much Does a Concrete Walkway Cost by Style?
Don’t feel like you’re limited to a simple poured concrete finish, either. This is your home and you can add all the style you want (so long as there’s no HOA).
One style that can add character to your space is stamped concrete. A stamped concrete walkway costs more than poured concrete, at around $2,800 on average, but adds color and variety. So if you want to start the pathway with a dark charcoal gray and end in an emerald green that flows into the grass, you totally can! This is your dream sidewalk, after all.
How Much Does a Concrete Walkway Cost to Install Yourself?
If you’ve made your own concrete jungle before and know the ins and outs of concrete mixing and pouring, you can give creating your own concrete walkway a shot. You’ll save yourself $1,000 in labor costs and only need to pay around $500 to $1,000 to complete the job yourself.
But keep in mind that stirring and pouring concrete is brutal on the back, so ensure you have a brace and know proper lifting techniques.
If you want to save yourself potential back pain though and get the job done fast, leave the project to the professionals. They’ll ensure everything goes smoothly, and they often have equipment that gets the job done faster. You also won’t have to worry about cracks or uneven layers that could decrease the lifespan of your concrete sidewalk.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Existing Concrete Walkway?
Demolition and removal of an old concrete walkway will cost around $500 to $1,500. This comes down to the size, location, and condition of the original.
You can always attempt the demolition yourself and reuse the old concrete blocks. (They’re great for creating temporary firepits or creating a wall for a garden bed!) You can also drop off the leftover concrete at a construction or recycling company. But for bigger projects, it’s best to call in a pro to remove the concrete.
FAQs About Concrete Walkways
How much does it cost to fix a concrete sidewalk?
Simple concrete sidewalk repairs may cost as little as $1 per square foot. Depending on how handy you consider yourself, you can even patch and fix any small blemishes yourself!
Big repairs, such as a missing piece or uneven walk spaces, are another story. These may cost as much as $600 to $2,000.
How do you prevent concrete cracks from forming?
Unfortunately, concrete cracks happen. To slow down the cracking, apply a sealant annually and use sand rather than salt to melt snow or ice. Using salt speeds up the freeze-thaw cycle, which may increase the likeness of cracking.
How long do concrete pathways last?
Concrete is a very durable material and can last upwards of 30 years, though extreme snow and heat may decrease this lifespan over time. So someone in Arizona might notice their pathway cracks after 15 years, whereas someone in Georgia finds that their walkway lasts longer.
