How Much Does It Cost To Install A Flagstone Walkway?

Flagstone Walkway Cost Factors

Drawing up a budget for a home or landscape renovation project can be complicated — especially when you consider more than one type of cost involved, and those costs may fluctuate. When drawing up a budget for your flagstone walkway, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider:

• Materials. The type of flagstone and whether you choose to lay the flagstone in cement, gravel, sand, or stone dust will all affect the overall cost of your materials.
• Availability. The region you live in will affect some kinds of flagstone availability. That can mean you end up using a more expensive type of flagstone than you intended. Sometimes, if your chosen flagstone type isn’t available locally, you may have to consider having it shipped from another location. It’s a good idea to look at different suppliers to find out what’s available.
• Shape. Flagstones with unique shapes will cost more than flagstones with more common shapes. The more unique shapes you use, the higher the overall flagstone cost will be.
• Shipping. If you aren’t sourcing your materials locally, you can expect to pay for shipping. Since flagstone is heavy, shipping it over long distances will drive the overall price up substantially.
• Adding extra. You’ll need to add an extra percentage of material to cover faults in any of the pieces.
• Labor. Installing a flagstone walkway is labor-intensive and, as such, may take several hours to complete. While hiring a professional is a valid option, doing so will nearly double your total cost.

Flagstone Walkway Installation Cost

Flagstone pavers are an aesthetic option for your walkway, but they are heavy. A single stone can weigh between 12 and 20 pounds, depending on the size and thickness of the slab. This weight range makes installing a flagstone walkway a labor-intensive job, so installation costs average between $13 and $16 per square foot (with some variation according to where you live and which company you choose to hire). A 300-square-foot walkway, for example, would cost between $3,900 and $4,800 for installation alone.

Flagstone Walkway cost by type

Flagstone pavers are typically priced by the ton rather than by the square foot, with a range of $200 for lower-end materials to $550 for higher-end materials. You can also buy this type of paver by the pallet, from between $600 and $2,200 (which breaks down to $0.20 and $0.55 per pound).

Naturally, the overall cost and characteristics of flagstone pavers will vary according to the type:

• Arizona. $200 to $450 per ton. As one of the most common varieties, the price of Arizona flagstone depends on the location and the color. This type of stone is most common in southwestern states.
• Bluestone. $375 to $450 per ton. The surface of this stone is naturally non-slip, so it’s perfect for walkways and areas near water. This type of stone is native to New York state and Pennsylvania.
• Quartzite. $400 to $450 per ton. Quartzite combines sandstone and quartz with a nice, solid surface. This stone is most common in Northern Utah, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
• Sandstone. $250 to $350 per ton. Sandstone tends to stay cool, so it’s ideal for use in climates with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Sandstone coloring ranges from light cream to deep red. This type of stone is easy to find across the USA.
• Colorado Red. $200 to $400 per ton. The price of Colorado Red flagstone varies according to the size and color of the stone. The colors range from pink to a reddish plum. Colorado Red flagstone is well suited for harsh climates due to its greater durability. As the name suggests, this stone is native to Colorado.
• Crab Orchard. $350 to $450 per ton. This type of flagstone is well-suited for walkway paving, but it’s not durable enough to withstand the weight of a car. Crab Orchard flagstone has a range of colors that vary from gray to a brownish shade of orange — and you can nab it in Tennessee.

DIY or Hire a Pro

While flagstone walkways may be labor-intensive to install due to the weight of the stone, the job is easy. While you can hire a professional to save some challenging work, it’s not strictly necessary. Learning to DIY a project is one area of the budget where you can save substantial money by opting to do the work yourself.

Here's a quick run-down of the pros and cons of installing your flagstone walkway or hiring a pro:

Pros of DIY

• Substantial savings on labor cost
• You own the necessary tools already
• Project can be completed on your own time

Cons of DIY

• Project is labor-intensive
• Project may take upwards of 10 hours to complete

Pros of Hiring a Professional

• They take on the demanding work
• Their quality is guaranteed
• Years of experience makes efficient work

Cons of Hiring a Professional

• Labor adds a substantial cost.
• Project is completed on their schedule.