A new concrete patio is one of the most-used spaces you can add to a Michigan home: a spot for the grill, a table for summer dinners, a level place for the kids to play. It is also a slab that has to survive frost heave, spring rain, heavy clay soil and years of snow shoveling. The finish you choose is what you see; the base, slope and joints underneath are what decide whether it still looks good in fifteen years.
Rock Solid Exteriors is a family-owned, locally owned and operated contractor based in Clinton Township, in business since 1997. We design and pour new patios, replace cracked and sunken ones, and install paver patios too. Call (844) 757-6543 or book a free in-home concrete estimate.
Planning Your Patio: Size, Shape and Placement
Before talking finishes, get the footprint right. A few rules of thumb that help most homeowners:
- Dining area: a table for six plus chairs pulled out needs roughly a 12 x 12 foot space. Add room for a walkway around it.
- Grill zone: allow space for the grill, a prep surface and safe clearance from the house and railings.
- Lounge or fire pit area: a conversation circle takes more room than most people expect; 14 to 16 feet across is comfortable.
- Connect it. A patio that ties into a door, a walkway or the driveway gets used far more than one stranded in the yard. See walkways and sidewalks.
- Mind the water. The slab needs a gentle fall away from the house, and downspouts should not dump onto it.
Curves, steps and multiple levels are all possible. They add forming and labor, and your estimate will show what each one adds so you can decide what is worth it.
Patio Finishes and Materials
Broom finish
Plain gray concrete with a lightly brushed texture for traction. The most budget-friendly option and a clean look, especially with a decorative border.
Exposed aggregate
The top layer of cement is washed off to reveal rounded stone. Very slip-resistant and good at hiding dirt and wear. See exposed aggregate concrete.
Stamped concrete
Patterned and colored to look like slate, flagstone, brick or wood plank. Our estimator brings stamped pattern and color samples so you can see them next to your house. See stamped concrete.
Combinations
Many of the best-looking patios mix finishes: a broom-finish field with a stamped border, or a stamped patio with an exposed aggregate walkway leading to it. Mixing is also a smart way to get a decorative look on a tighter budget.
Pavers
If you prefer individual brick or concrete pavers to a poured slab, we install those as well. Pavers usually cost more than a plain broom-finish slab and are in the same published range as stamped concrete, but they can be lifted and reset if the ground moves. See paver patios, walkways and driveways for an honest comparison.
What Goes Under a Patio That Lasts
Most patio failures in Macomb and Oakland County trace back to the ground, not the concrete. Clay soil holds water, water freezes and expands, and a slab poured on poorly prepared ground heaves, cracks or sinks.
- Excavation to remove topsoil and organic material that will settle.
- Compacted aggregate base, placed and compacted so the slab has uniform support and water can drain.
- Slope built into the base so water runs away from the foundation.
- Reinforcement placed per the project scope.
- Control joints cut at planned spacing so the inevitable shrinkage cracks follow straight lines instead of wandering across the slab.
- Isolation where the patio meets the house, steps or posts so each can move independently.
What Does a Concrete Patio Cost in Michigan?
A 2026 Michigan cost guide puts a standard broom-finish patio at roughly $12 to $18 per square foot installed, with exposed aggregate adding about $2 to $5 per square foot, stamped adding about $8 to $15, and removal of an old patio adding about $1 to $3. These are typical published ranges, not a Rock Solid quote. Using that guide’s broom-finish numbers:
| Patio size | Example footprint | Typical published range (broom finish) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 10 x 10 landing | $1,200 to $1,800 |
| 200 sq ft | 10 x 20 | $2,400 to $3,600 |
| 400 sq ft | 20 x 20 | $4,800 to $7,200 |
| 600 sq ft | 20 x 30 | $7,200 to $10,800 |
What moves your price within or beyond those ranges:
- Finish: broom, exposed aggregate, stamped, or a mix
- Tear-out of an old slab, deck or pavers
- Grading and drainage work on sloped or low yards
- Shape: curves, steps, multiple levels
- Access for the concrete truck versus pumping or wheeling concrete to the backyard
- Sealing and add-ons
0% financing for 60 months is available on approved credit, and veterans receive a 10% discount. See financing.
Repair or Replace an Old Patio?
Hairline cracks and surface wear are cosmetic. Replacement starts to make sense when the slab has sunk toward the house so water runs to the foundation, when sections have heaved into trip hazards, when the surface is scaling and flaking over large areas, or when wide cracks keep growing. If an old patio needs to go, we remove it, correct the base and slope, and pour new. We will tell you honestly at the estimate if your slab still has years left in it.
How We Build Your Patio
- Free in-home estimate with measurements, drainage check, finish options and a written scope.
- Permits and utilities. Our crews pull city permits where required, and utilities are marked through MISS DIG before excavation.
- Tear-out and excavation of old concrete and soil.
- Base, forms and reinforcement set to grade.
- Pour and finish: broom, exposed aggregate or stamped.
- Joints, cleanup and walkthrough, including when you can walk on it, put furniture on it and seal it.
Concrete Patio FAQ
How thick should a concrete patio be?
Four inches of concrete on a compacted base is a common standard for patios that only see foot traffic. Areas that will carry heavy loads are typically built thicker. Tell us at the estimate how you plan to use the space so the slab is built for it.
When is the best time to pour a patio in Michigan?
Spring through fall is the main season. Concrete should not be placed on frozen ground, and cold-weather pours need protection, so late fall jobs depend on the forecast.
Will my new patio crack?
Concrete shrinks as it cures, so small cracks are normal. Properly spaced control joints guide those cracks into the joints, where they are hard to notice.
Should I seal my concrete patio?
Sealing helps resist stains, water and salt, and it is especially important for stamped and exposed aggregate finishes. We will recommend a schedule for your finish.
Can you pour a new patio over my old one?
Overlays can hide surface wear, but pouring over a cracked, sunken or poorly sloped slab just transfers those problems to the new surface. In most cases we recommend removal.
Concrete or pavers for a patio?
Poured concrete usually costs less and has fewer joints for weeds. Pavers cost more but can be lifted and reset. See our pavers page for the full comparison.
Patios Across Macomb, Oakland and Lapeer County
We build concrete patios throughout the area, including Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Warren, St. Clair Shores, Chesterfield, Roseville, Mount Clemens, Troy, Rochester Hills and Lapeer. For more on the rest of our concrete work, including driveways, walks and pool decks, see concrete services.
Get a Free Patio Estimate
Call (844) 757-6543 or request your free concrete estimate online. Office hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. Michigan Residential Builder License 2102205396.
Rock Solid Exteriors, 42452 Hayes Rd #2a, Clinton Township, MI 48038.