Why does a stamped patio cost more than broom finish in Stittsville?

Stamped concrete runs roughly $15 to $45 or more per square foot installed, while plain broom-finish concrete runs about $9 to $15 per square foot. We found no published breakdown of the difference; the price pages simply list different ranges.

The concrete mix for both finishes meets the same 2024 Ontario Building Code standard for exterior flatwork: not less than 32 MPa compressive strength at 28 days and a maximum water-to-cementing-materials ratio of 0.45. Ask each contractor what the stamped price adds: the pattern, the colours, any border and the sealer.

A few things affect where a stamped quote lands within that wide range: the pattern chosen, the number of colours, the size of the slab and whether a minimum charge applies, excavation and base depth, removal and disposal of any existing concrete, and site access. On smaller jobs, Ottawa price pages note that a minimum charge of about $5,500 can shape the final number regardless of finish.

The City of Ottawa's Hardscaping Contractor Licence, which has been required since March 1, 2026, applies to businesses installing concrete patios. The licence costs the contractor $319 for 2026 and requires commercial general liability insurance of not less than $2,000,000 and automobile liability insurance of not less than $2,000,000. Ask any contractor to show you their City licence and check the City's published list of licensed hardscaping contractors yourself. The City's March 2026 news release says licensed contractors will also provide written contracts and give you a copy of the City's Landscaping Education Guide.

Before any digging starts, whoever digs is the excavator under the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012 and must submit a locate request through Ontario Dig Authority at least five business days before breaking ground. Locates are free.

When you have quotes in hand, ask each contractor to put the concrete strength, base depth and thickness, the specific pattern and colour system, removal and disposal of any old concrete, and cold-weather protection in writing, so you can compare them line by line rather than just the bottom number.

The most useful question to put to a contractor before signing: ask them to walk you through exactly what the base preparation includes and how that is reflected in the price.