A patio is where you spend the season in Dubuque. Sunset over the Mississippi from a back deck in the West End, a cold drink with neighbors in Asbury, dinner with the family in Peosta or Cascade. Done right, a concrete patio gives you a low-maintenance outdoor room that holds up to Tri-State winters for 25+ years. Done wrong, it cracks in three winters and sits forgotten.
What we build
- Plain broom-finish patios (clean, modern, low-cost)
- Stamped concrete patios (slate, random stone, plank, brick, fan)
- Exposed-aggregate patios (texture without a stamp)
- Acid-stained or integral-color finishes
- Patios with integrated fire pits, seat walls, planters, or pillars
- Hot tub pads (5–6″ thick, engineered for static load)
- Patio extensions onto existing slabs (clean cold-joint tie-in)
- Retaining-wall + patio combinations for hillside lots
Spec sheet
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Slab thickness | 4″ residential, 5–6″ for hot tubs |
| Mix | 4,000 PSI, 5–7% air-entrained |
| Reinforcement | Fiber-mesh + 6×6 #10 WWF |
| Base | 4–6″ compacted Class 5 gravel |
| Slope | 1/8″–1/4″ per foot away from home |
| Joints | Sawcut ≤ 10 ft, within 24 hr |
| Curing | 7-day moist cure |
| Sealer | Penetrating siloxane (matte) or acrylic (gloss) at 30 days |
Real Dubuque pricing (2026)
| Scope | Cost |
|---|---|
| 12×12 broom-finish (144 sq ft) | $1,400 – $2,200 |
| 16×16 broom-finish (256 sq ft) | $2,200 – $3,500 |
| 16×16 stamped, single color (256 sq ft) | $3,800 – $5,800 |
| 20×24 stamped, two-color (480 sq ft) | $7,000 – $11,500 |
| Fire pit add-in (integrated) | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Seat wall (per linear ft) | $90 – $160 |
| Hot tub pad (8×8) | $1,200 – $2,200 |
Stamping, color, seat walls, and fire features are quoted as line items. You can pick the level that fits your budget.
Sizing your patio
| Use Case | Minimum Size | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Bistro table + 2 chairs | 8×8 (64 sq ft) | 10×10 |
| 6-person dinner table | 12×12 (144 sq ft) | 14×14 |
| Dinner + lounge area | 16×16 (256 sq ft) | 18×18 |
| Dinner + lounge + fire pit | 20×24 (480 sq ft) | 24×24 |
| Pool deck | Pool perimeter + 6 ft | Pool perimeter + 8 ft |
We bring chalk and a tape measure to every quote and lay out the actual footprint on your yard before we leave.
Hillside patios: drainage matters more than you think
Dubuque homes on a grade need a drainage plan, not just a slope. On a steep lot, water from the uphill side will sit against the patio edge in a heavy rain, freeze, and lift the concrete. We add a French drain along the high side, slope the patio to a downhill edge, and (where the grade allows) tie to a daylight outlet or buried catch basin. This is built into the quote, not an upcharge surprise.
Quality Concrete Built Tough
Patios are where bad finishing shows fastest. We do not pour patios on Fridays at 3pm. We assign the finisher who is best at decorative work, and we cut joints within 24 hours, every time.
Related services
Want patio ideas?
Read our Concrete Patio Design Ideas for Dubuque Backyards post or call (563) 932-4102 to schedule a free on-site walk. Most quotes return within 48 hours.