Backyard patios and fire pit pads

Concrete Patios in Fargo, ND

Outdoor space for a short, good summer, built to sit flat through the long winter.

Free on-site estimates with a base and drainage check
Itemized written quote before any work begins
Air-entrained mixes and planned control joints on every exterior pour

Making the Most of a Fargo Summer

Concrete patios in Fargo get used hard for a few months and then buried under snow for the rest of the year. Fargo's July afternoons average about 82 degrees, and that is when people want somewhere flat and dry to put a grill, a table and chairs. The patio then sits through months of snow, thaw and refreeze next to a basement wall. A good patio here does two jobs: it is the right size and shape for summer, and it moves water away from the house in spring.

Getting the size right

Undersized is the most common patio regret. A six-person table, with chairs pushed back far enough to sit down, fills about a 12 by 12 foot area by itself. Put a grill beside it, leave room to walk past, add two lounge chairs, and 16 by 16 or bigger is realistic. At the estimate we stake or paint the outline on the lawn so you can stand in it before anyone digs. Plans for a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen or a heavy fire feature change the design: HomeGuide's patio guide recommends six inches with extra reinforcement under heavy loads, and that section gets built that way from the beginning.

Slope and base come first here

A patio usually butts up against the foundation. Let it sink toward the house and every thaw and thunderstorm sends water down the basement wall, and on clay that swells and shrinks with moisture, that kind of settling is the patio failure to plan against. So topsoil comes out, gravel goes in and is compacted, and forms are set so the surface drops away from the house, typically about a quarter inch per foot. Along the foundation we place an isolation joint, letting the patio and the house move independently.

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Surface choices

Broom finish is the workhorse: inexpensive, and grippy when wet. Integral color or a stain shifts plain gray toward tan, brown or charcoal. Exposed aggregate brings the stone in the mix to the surface and hides dirt well. For a stone, brick or slate look, see our stamped concrete page. Any of these should be sealed, particularly next to a door where melt and de-icer get tracked out.

Patio Options

We build patios as simple squares or with curves, steps down from a deck, and add-ons that make the yard easier to use.

Broom-finish patios

Plain gray concrete with a textured surface, the simplest and most cost-effective option.

Colored and exposed aggregate

Integral color, stain or exposed stone for a warmer look without a stamp pattern.

Patio extensions

New concrete added to an existing patio, doweled in so the two pieces stay level.

Hot tub and heavy-load pads

Thicker, reinforced sections sized for the weight of a filled spa or outdoor kitchen.

Fire pit areas and walkways

A pad for a fire pit and a connecting walk to the back door, gate or garage.

Typical Concrete Patio Costs

Patio size or finish	Published range
Plain concrete, per sq ft	$4 to $12
Broom finish, per sq ft	$6 to $13
Exposed aggregate, per sq ft	$7 to $18
10 x 10 ft, plain	$400 to $1,200
12 x 12 ft, plain	$600 to $1,700
16 x 16 ft, plain	$1,000 to $3,100
20 x 20 ft, plain	$1,600 to $4,800
Rebar or wire mesh, per sq ft	$1 to $3

National ranges from HomeGuide's concrete patio cost guide. Fargo prices can differ: excavation, base depth, access to the backyard and finish all change the total. Your written estimate is the price.

How It Works

1. Lay it out

We mark the patio on the ground, check the grade and plan where water will go.

2. Excavate and base

Topsoil is removed, gravel placed and compacted, and forms set to fall away from the house.

3. Pour and finish

Reinforcement placed, concrete poured, and the finish you picked applied.

4. Joints, cure and seal

Control joints cut, the slab cured, and sealer applied when the concrete is ready.

Concrete Repair & Replacement in Fargo, ND

Concrete Patios Questions

How much does a 12 by 12 patio cost?

For a plain 12 by 12, HomeGuide's patio guide shows roughly $600 to $1,700; stamped or stained, the same size runs about $1,150 to $4,300. Where yours falls depends on backyard access and how much base the site needs.

How thick should a patio be?

Four inches is standard. HomeGuide recommends six inches with added reinforcement under hot tubs, outdoor kitchens and other heavy items.

My patio slopes toward the house. Can it be fixed?

Sometimes the slab can be raised and re-sloped if it is in one piece. If it is cracked through or badly settled, replacing it with the right slope is the better fix. We look at it and tell you which.

Is concrete better than pavers in Fargo?

Both can work. Concrete is one solid piece with no joints for weeds and is easier to shovel. Pavers can be lifted and reset if the ground moves. Many people pick concrete for lower upkeep.

When can I put furniture on a new patio?

Light furniture after a few days. Heavy items like a hot tub should wait until the concrete has cured for about four weeks.

Get a Concrete Patios Estimate

Free on-site estimates for backyard concrete patios in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and nearby.

Call (701) 773-3206 Free Estimate