Short answer: In 2026, stamped concrete in Wilmington, NC typically costs $20 to $33 per square foot installed. A 300 sq ft patio runs about $6,000–$9,900, a 400 sq ft patio $8,000–$13,200, and a 600 sq ft driveway or pool area $12,000–$19,800. Pattern, number of colors, borders, tear-out and site access are what move the price within that range.
Stamped concrete prices by project size
These ranges come from our recent projects across New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. They include excavation, base, forms, reinforcement, color, stamping and the first coat of sealer.
| Project | Typical size | Installed price |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or landing | 150–250 sq ft | $3,500–$8,250 |
| Standard backyard patio | 300–400 sq ft | $6,000–$13,200 |
| Large patio / outdoor living | 500–800 sq ft | $10,000–$26,400 |
| Stamped driveway (2 cars) | 500–700 sq ft | $10,000–$23,100 |
| Pool deck surround | 400–900 sq ft | $8,000–$29,700 |
What makes stamped concrete cost more (or less)
- Pattern and detail: a single-pattern, single-color slab sits near $20/sq ft; multi-color with hand-detailed borders and seamless texture moves toward $30+.
- Tear-out: removing an old slab, pavers or asphalt adds roughly $2–$5 per sq ft including haul-off.
- Access: backyards reached only through a gate may need a concrete pump or buggies, which adds a day of labor.
- Shape and steps: curves, radius edges and poured steps take more forming and finishing time than a rectangle.
- Size: larger pours spread fixed costs (mobilization, pump, finishing crew) over more square feet, so the price per sq ft drops.
Why the cheapest stamped concrete quote is rarely the cheapest patio
Most stamped concrete failures on the Carolina coast are not about the stamp — they are about what is underneath. A low bid usually saves money on base compaction, slab thickness, reinforcement and sealer. Those are invisible on day one and expensive by year three, when the slab cracks across the middle, settles near the house or the color fades to gray.
When you compare quotes, ask every contractor the same questions: How thick is the slab? What reinforcement? What PSI mix? When are control joints cut? Is sealer included, and which one? A quote that cannot answer these in writing is not comparable to one that can.
Stamped concrete vs. plain concrete price in Wilmington
A plain broom-finish concrete patio runs about $13–$23 per sq ft in the Wilmington area. Stamping and coloring typically add $7–$12 per sq ft on top of that — still well below natural stone and usually below quality paver installations of the same size.
How to get an accurate price
Online ranges are a starting point. The real number depends on your yard. MJ Profesional Concrete gives free on-site estimates in Wilmington and the surrounding towns, with a written, line-item quote you can compare side by side with any other contractor.