Concrete vs. Pavers (San Diego 2025): Cost, Repairs, Drainage & Value

Updated August 2025 — San Diego County

If you’re choosing between concrete and pavers for a patio, pool deck, walkway, or driveway in San Diego, focus on: upfront price, maintenance/repairs, drainage, comfort/traction, and curb appeal/value. Below is a no‑fluff comparison with current 2025 local pricing and clear examples.

Pro tip: If you’re considering stamped finishes as well, see our deep dive: Stamped Concrete vs. Pavers (San Diego, 2025).
For line‑item math on paver projects, see Paver Patio Cost in San Diego (2025) and try the Paver Cost Calculator. Want a vetted crew? Meet our San Diego paver installation contractors.

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Cost in San Diego (2025)

Concrete (plain/broom slab): most quotes land around $9–$16/sq ft installed for simple slabs, with patios often $11–$22/sq ft and driveways $10–$19/sq ft depending on thickness, reinforcement, subgrade, demo, and access.

Stamped/decorative concrete: typically $12–$20/sq ft for basic stamped patterns; $18–$28+/sq ft for premium designs with borders, multi‑color hardeners, and complex layouts.

Pavers (installed): generally $20–$35/sq ft in San Diego. Drivers include base depth & compaction, access/demo, material (concrete vs. porcelain vs. stone), pattern complexity, edges/steps, lighting, drainage, and scale.

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Real‑world Cost Examples

Surface	400 sq ft (patio)	1,000 sq ft (larger area)
Concrete (plain/broom)	≈ $3,600–$6,400 @ $9–$16/sq ft	≈ $9,000–$16,000
Concrete (typical patio)	≈ $4,520–$8,680 @ $11.30–$21.70/sq ft	≈ $11,300–$21,700
Concrete (driveway)	Project‑specific (thickness/reinforcement); driveway quotes often exceed patio rates	≈ $10,000–$19,000 @ $10–$19/sq ft
Stamped concrete (basic)	≈ $4,800–$8,000 @ $12–$20/sq ft	≈ $12,000–$20,000
Stamped concrete (premium)	≈ $7,200–$11,200+ @ $18–$28+/sq ft	≈ $18,000–$28,000+
Pavers (installed)	≈ $8,000–$14,000 @ $20–$35/sq ft	≈ $20,000–$35,000

Assumptions: normal site access, typical subgrade prep, 4″–5″ slab (patio/driveway per spec), or 4″–6″+ compacted base for pavers; excludes unusual demo, steep slopes, major drainage corrections, and premium finishes unless noted.

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Maintenance & Repairs

Concrete (plain/stamped): Plain gray concrete is low‑touch but cracks are permanent—repairs and color matching usually show. Stamped/decorative installs often need resealing every 2–4 years to protect color and finish.

Pavers: Joints may need sand refresh over time; sealing is optional for color/cleanability. If settlement or roots create a bump, pros can lift, re‑level, and reset the same units—repairs are fast and invisible.

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Drainage & Site Conditions

Concrete: Relies on accurate slab grading and surface drains. Movement from soils or roots can telegraph as cracks. Retro‑fitting drains after the pour is invasive (saw‑cutting, trenching, patching).

Pavers: Easier to integrate permeable assemblies, catch basins, and under‑drain piping. Modular systems tolerate minor ground movement and allow targeted re‑leveling if needed.

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Aesthetics & Comfort

• Design: Pavers offer the broadest mix of sizes, patterns, and textures. Concrete can be stained/stamped, but premium stamps can approach paver pricing.
• Heat & traction: Light colors and textured finishes stay cooler and grip better. Around pools, choose light tones and matte/anti‑slip treatments (for stamped) or textured pavers.

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When Each Wins

Driveways: Choose pavers—best for heavy loads and invisible repairs if sections move. Concrete has lower upfront cost but cracks are difficult to fix cleanly.

Patios: Both can work. If you want premium look + easy long‑term maintenance, choose pavers. If you need the lowest initial price and accept the crack/repair trade‑off, concrete is fine.

Pool decks: Pavers for traction, drainage, and repairability. Stamped can work with light colors + anti‑slip + matte sealer and good shade planning.

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Permits & Compliance (San Diego Snapshot)

• Private patios/walks (on your lot): typically do not need a building permit unless you add retaining walls, structures, or connect new drainage to public systems. We’ll advise case‑by‑case.
• Driveway apron / sidewalk at street: work in the public Right‑of‑Way generally requires a City ROW permit. Smaller scopes may qualify for ROW Rapid Review; we prepare plans to City standards and coordinate inspections.
• Stormwater: for new/replaced hardscape, we complete the City’s Storm Water Requirements Applicability Checklist and implement required BMPs; permeable options may help, but we still provide positive surface drainage.
• Foundation drainage: maintain positive slope away from the home; use drains if grade constraints exist. Around pools, split slopes to keep water out of the shell and away from structures.

We handle the paperwork: HOA coordination, ROW submittals (as needed), and stormwater checklists—and we build to City/County standards so your project sails through.

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FAQs

Is plain concrete cheaper than pavers in San Diego?

Yes. Simple slabs typically run $9–$16/sq ft (patios often $11–$22; driveways $10–$19), while pavers are generally $20–$35/sq ft installed.

Are stamped concrete and pavers the same price?

Basic stamped concrete can be $12–$20/sq ft, but premium stamps with borders/colors often reach $18–$28+/sq ft—overlapping with lower‑mid paver projects.

Which is easier to repair?

Pavers. Individual units can be lifted and reset or swapped. Concrete crack/patch repairs usually remain visible.

How long does a 400 sq ft install take?

Paver patios commonly take ~2–3 days with a 4–5 person crew (site‑dependent). Concrete pours quickly but requires a cure/seal window before heavy use.

What adds cost most?

Access/demolition, base depth or slab thickness, drainage fixes, complex patterns/borders, steps/edges, lighting, and premium materials (porcelain pavers, multi‑color stamps).

 

Serving San Diego County: Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Fairbanks Ranch, Oceanside, San Marcos, and more.