How Much Does Flagstone Cost? [2024 Data]
Flagstone costs anywhere from $200 to $550 per ton
Highlights
Flagstone costs anywhere from $200 to $550 per ton.
Quartzite flagstone costs $400 to $450 per ton.
A ton of flagstone typically covers up to 140 square feet.
You’ll pay $2 to $6 per square foot for the stone itself.
The prices below reflect flagstone pricing versus other paver options.
Flagstone is naturally beautiful, with colors ranging from sand or gray to red or purple. It has a rustic charm, mainly if rough cut, and is incredibly durable. It's more affordable than many other types of stone, ranging from $2 to $6 per square foot for the stone itself. However, some flagstone types cost between $10 and $15 per square foot. You'll also need to account for labor at $13 to $16 per square foot.
Flagstone Cost by Unit of Measurement
Flagstone pricing is usually given in one of three measurements:
Per ton
Per pallet
Per square foot
When talking to your local paving installers, clarify the size or unit of measurement so you know precisely how much paving you're getting for your money.
Flagstone Cost per Ton
Flagstone costs between $200 and $550 per ton, just for the stone. For a mid-range type of flagstone, expect to pay around $350 per ton.
A ton of flagstone typically covers up to 140 square feet, but coverage depends on your flagstone’s type, fit (the space between stones), and thickness. A ton of thicker, denser flagstone could cover as little as 70 square feet. This is a critical pricing factor, so discuss coverage with your contractor.
Flagstone Cost per Pallet
For a whole pallet of flagstone, expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $2,200 for the stone alone. Pallet weights vary but generally fall between three and four tons, which equates to a cost of $0.20 to $0.55 per pound. An average pallet covers between 210 to 560 square feet, but, just as with the coverage of flagstone priced by the ton, how much square footage you get depends on thickness and density.
Flagstone Cost per Square Foot
Per square foot, flagstone costs $2 to $6 for the stone itself. You'll pay between $15 and $22 per square foot with labor. For thicker stone and rarer flagstone colors, expect the price to fall at the higher end of this range.
Flagstone Cost by Type
Flagstone prices range from $200 to $550 per ton, without labor, based on the type of stone, its quality, and rarity.
Colorado Red Flagstone
Colorado red flagstone is a popular choice for climates with extreme heat or cold, as it is impervious to harsh weather. As its name suggests, colors can be red to purple, and the cost ranges from $200 to $400.
Arizona Flagstone
Arizona flagstone is one of the most common and local to the Southwestern United States. Because it's readily available, prices start at $200 per ton for ordinary sand, beige, and gray hues. However, you can pay up to $450 per ton for the same stone with interesting natural patterns or rarer colors like red, orange, and chocolate.
Sandstone
Sandstone is another widely available option and is prized for its ability to stay cool even in extreme heat. Sandstone has a distinctive, rustic, rough-textured look—and, if you're lucky, sometimes contains plant and animal fossils. It's available in various colors, from pale sand to dark red. Because it's easy to find, it's more affordable than many other stone types, at $250 to $350 per ton.
Bluestone
Bluestone flagstone comes from the New York and Pennsylvania areas and is famous for its resistance to freezing temperatures. However, this particular flagstone needs sealing in coastal locations to protect it from saltwater damage.
The attractive blue-to-gray colors and naturally non-slip finish make bluestone popular for poolsides. Because it's reasonably sought after in all but coastal areas, bluestone costs between $375 and $450 per ton.
Quartzite
Quartzite is an incredibly durable mix of sandstone and quartz well-suited to high-traffic areas. It's available in various attractive colors, from silver and gold to green and blue. For this aesthetically pleasing flagstone, expect to pay $400 to $450 per ton.
Limestone
Limestone is a commonly found stone type, and this is reflected in its price. Those purchasing limestone can expect to pay between $250 and $400 per ton. This type of stone shows shades of grey, beige, tan, brown, and sometimes darker blues and even blacks. Those who use limestone usually leave it in its natural stone shape rather than square it off or lay rounded flagstone.
Slate
Slate is one of the priciest flagstone materials, priced between $475 and $700. This large cost range is because slate has many varieties and can come from many quarries. Slate also requires slightly more involved processing than limestone, as it needs to be split along its natural layers. The result is a rich and textured appearance.
Travertine
Travertine is a type of limestone that has a unique porous texture. It’s less uniform than other stone types, but that’s part of its allure. Travertine is a rustic choice and isn’t as common as some of the other stone types and, therefore, like slate, tends to be on the more expensive side. Expect to pay upwards of $800 per ton. This number could be lower if you have a nearby quarry with substantial travertine deposits.
Basalt
Basalt is a dark volcanic rock, usually black or dark grey. Modern designers employ basalt due to its striking appearance, working incredibly well in light-colored environments. Basalt is highly resistant to stains and wear. Flagstone prices for basalt range from $500 to over $700 per ton.
Flagstone Rock
Flagstone rock is an excellent choice for outdoor steps and building natural walls or garden beds in the yard. Usually available in sheets 1 to 2 inches thick, flagstone rock costs $400 to $500 per ton. You can find flagstone rock in large but uneven sheets or smaller, rough-cut chunks and slabs.
What Factors Influence Flagstone Cost?
Many variables impact the cost of flagstone, from the thickness of the stone to its rarity. Delivery, complexity, and accessibility also affect the price of any flagstone installation project.
Weight of Flagstone
The flagstone's weight directly impacts cost, particularly if it's priced by the ton. Remember, flagstone comes in different thicknesses, with some pavers or flagstone rocks being 2 inches thick or more. Plus, different types of sandstone have different densities, so you get less square footage per ton for heavier stones.
Type of Flagstone
The type of flagstone you choose influences how much you'll pay for the stone itself, and some types, such as those that need sealing, require extra labor. Standard flagstone, such as sandstone, is comparatively inexpensive, costing as little as $200 per ton, whereas scarcer types like bluestone or quartzite with unique patterns and colors can cost up to $550 per ton.
Delivery Distance
Flagstone is heavy, so the further it travels, the more you’ll pay. Stone quarried locally doesn't have far to travel, so you'll get a better price (and have fewer problems with the stone's reaction to your climate). But if you simply must have the rare pink-purple quartzite flecked with gold that has to travel from the other side of the country, you'll quickly rack up extra fees in transport costs.
Site Accessibility
Your contractor will assess how accessible the job site is and figure that into their quote. If the contractors have to manually move the stone a long distance because they can't get the right vehicle or equipment into your yard to do the lifting, labor costs will increase.
Breakage
Since flagstone is a natural stone, you will want to compensate for variability. For example, contractors often order 25% more stone than they anticipate needing for a project because the stone can vary so much in color, texture, and shape, even when it comes from the same quarry.
Also, thin veneer flagstone is fragile and may crack when placed over a concrete slab. This is why it’s wise to have more flagstone on hand than estimated to ensure your project will be finished on time.
Flagstone Installation Cost
For materials and installation, flagstone costs $15 to $22 per square foot. The labor costs are $13 to $16 per square foot, and the materials cost $2 to $6 per square foot. The labor cost is high compared to the cost of the flagstone because the stone is heavy. Each piece of stone weighs 12 to 20 pounds per square foot, so installation is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Here are the average costs to complete typical flagstone installations:
300–500 sq. ft. flagstone walkway costs $4,500-$11,000
125–250 sq. ft. flagstone pathway costs $1,900-$5,500
600–900 sq. ft. pool deck costs $9,000-$19,800
300–600 sq. ft. flagstone driveway paving costs $4,500-$13,200
50–400 sq. ft. flagstone patio installation costs $750-$8,400
Frequently Asked Questions
You can’t go wrong with locally sourced flagstone. If you're working with a landscaper near you, they'll likely be able to source local stone for you and offer insight into how your stone will age over time.
A pallet of flagstone can easily weigh over 3,000 pounds. Loose stone would be less generally, as there is more space between each stone due to their irregular shape. Flagstone is usually cut to lay flat, so there is more stone on each pallet. The average weight is somewhere between 1 and 3 tons.
Yes, flagstone is more expensive than pavers, but natural stone lasts longer and has a unique aesthetic appeal that pavers just can't match. It is important to make the distinction that flagstone can be different from flagstone pavers. Some pavers are flagstone pavers, and some are not. Flagstone can be uniformly cut and set like pavers or retain the stone’s original shape.
Yes, there are more affordable alternatives to flagstone. There are many alternatives to natural stone for pathways and patios. Stamped concrete is popular because it's affordable and has a distinctive look. You can also choose stone veneer or brick or concrete pavers.
Sealing is essential to keep your flagstone looking new for as long as possible. If you don’t seal flagstone, the surface can wear and stain. It also helps protect the stone’s natural texture. Just make sure you choose a matte sealant to avoid making your stone slippery like a glossy sealant can.