How Much Does a Paver Walkway Cost? A Detailed Analysis

Paver walkways are decorative paths for walking. They are usually found in gardens, parks, patios, and other outdoor areas. Paver walkways are stable, durable, and easy to install. These popular walkways can also have creative designs, shapes, and colors. This makes paver walkways both functional and aesthetic.

Installing a paver walkway can be a simple task. In fact, you can install it by yourself as a DIY project. Before you start this project, though, you might be wondering - how much does a paver walkway cost?

In this blog, we will answer this question by analyzing the cost factors, comparisons, and FAQs of paver walkways.

3 Factors That Influence the Answer to How Much Does a Paver Walkway Cost

When installing a walkway, you need to be clear on the cost of the project. Various factors determine how expensive the project can get. 3 such important factors include:

• Walkway material options
• Walkway square footage
• Walkway details and extras

Walkway Material Options

You can use different paver materials, such as concrete, brick, or natural stone, to make a walkway. Different types of pavers have different prices, and their own pros and cons.

Concrete

Concrete is a popular paving material and can cost between $8 and $15 per square foot. This price range includes the cost to install pavers.

Concrete walkways are durable, low maintenance, and can come with a lifetime warranty. It generally comes in gray, but alternatives are also available. You can also dye concrete to change color and appearance.

A disadvantage of using concrete as a paving material is its lack of drainage. The pavers must allow water to pass to prevent damage. You should also seal concrete pavers to retain color.

Brick

Bricks are also robust and durable paving materials. Brick walkway pavers can cost between $10 to $20 per square foot, including installation.

Brick is one of the strongest paving materials. It can withstand average walkway usage if regularly maintained. It is also one of the most elegant paving materials. It can come in various colors and patterns, allowing room for creativity in design.

However, brick can lose color over time, so you should use sealants to retain color for long-term use.

Natural Stone

Natural stone is the most expensive paving material of the three mentioned in this blog. Including the cost of installing, the price range may appear between $12 to $50 per square foot.

Natural stone materials include flagstone, marble, or bluestone, and all of these have a timeless appeal that can instantly elevate any design.

Besides being expensive, natural stone requires more maintenance than its paver counterparts. It can also be more difficult to install compared to concrete and brick pavers.

Walkway Square Footage

Size plays a significant part in a new walkway installation cost. As such, you should calculate the dimensions of the pathway to determine the expense of your project. We have included a cost guide below to give you an idea on what walkway project costs might look like.

Based on an average cost of $14.50 per square foot:

• 80 sq. ft. walkway costs $1,160
• 100 sq. ft. walkway costs $1,450
• 140 sq. ft. walkway costs $2,030
• 280 sq. ft. walkway costs $4,060

These are just estimations; we’ll explore the variants later in this blog. 

Walkway Details and Extras

Including extra details will drive up the expense of your project. For example, installing the walkway in a unique pattern or curve will likely cost you more money.

Extra features will also make the project more expensive. Adding landscape lighting will brighten the walkway at night, but it can cost between $2,000 to $4,500. Landscape edging also drives up the total cost of the project. It may provide a clean appearance, but a typical landscape edging project can cost $1,325.

Other Factors that Affect Cost

Your project cost will also depend on other factors, such as:

• Labor cost
• Prep work
• Complexity
• Decorative touches
• Possible permits

Labor

Labor is a crucial factor that determines the cost of paver walkways. Contractors can charge around $75 hourly to install a paver walkway. This cost can increase even further based on the location and complexity of the project.

Preparation Work

Contractors may need to prep the area before they can start the walkway installation. Prep work can include grading, which costs between 8 cents to $2 per square foot. Removing dirt and concrete can also add 30 to 50 cents per square foot to the paver walkway cost.

Complexity

The more complex your project is, the more it will cost. Simple walkways will be much cheaper than intricate designs that take longer to finish.

Decorative Touches

You can add decorations to your project, but these features will increase the overall cost. For example:

• Staining or dyeing the concrete with a single color can cost around $2 to $4 per square foot.
• Walkway covers can cost between $4 and $230 per square foot.
• Stamped concrete can cost between $8 and $28 per square foot.

Possible Permits

You might need a permit for the walkway if your local law requires it or if it connects to a public road. Permits for a paver walkway can cost between $200 and $1,000.

You should ask your contractor about permit requirements before starting the walkway installation.

Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost

You can get started on the project yourself, but we recommend you go ahead with it only if you are a DIY veteran. Installing a paver walkway requires lots of work, including excavating, leveling, and measuring. You will also need a variety of basic and specialized tools for the project; let’s look at their expenses:

• Pavers - $5 per 16'' x 16'' stone
• Rope - $6
• Tape measure - $18
• Shovel - $20
• Tamper - $40
• Crushed gravel - $800 per pallet
• Garden rake - $20
• Garden hose with nozzle - $45
• Paver sand - $5 per bag
• Finishing towel - $20
• Concrete saw - $1,000
• Safety glasses - $14
• Level - $15
• Construction adhesive - $5
• Work gloves - $15
• Dust mask - $25
• Polymeric sand - $30 per 40-pound bucket
• Leaf blower - $130
• Total for a 35' x 4' walkway - $2,978

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long do pavers last?

Pavers can easily last between 50 to 100 years with minimal maintenance. Pavers come with benefits such as easy replaceability, which can increase longevity.

Q. How many pavers do I need?

Calculate the square feet each paver will cover and divide that by the total walkway area. This will tell you how many pavers you need.

Q. How much does a pallet of pavers cost?

A pallet of pavers can cost anywhere between $335 and $1,165. The pallet may cover between 100 and 160 square feet.

Q. How do I prevent cracks?

You can use paving sealants to save your walkway from cracking. The sealants create a protective layer on the surface, which protects against damage.

Conclusion

Paver walkways are great additions to any project. They are functional, aesthetic, and can glow up any landscape. Paver patios and walkways are also durable, easy to replace, and last for decades.

The average cost for paver walkways may look high, but these are long-term investments. The walkways can easily last between 50 and 100 years. Project cost can also vary based on factors like material options, area, labor, and complexity.

For top paver installation services in Central Florida, get in touch with Outdoor Escapes! We have been providing high-end paver installation services in this region for 25 years. From paving driveways to pool decks - we have got you covered!

For more information about our services, visit our website, call us at 407.456.7000, or email us at [email protected].