What decides the price
Size and layout
Patios are priced largely by area, so the size comes first. A straightforward rectangle is quicker to lay than a curved or split-level design with lots of cuts. Mark out roughly what you want before asking for quotes, so every installer is pricing the same thing.
Material
This is one of the biggest variables. Plain concrete slabs cost least, textured and stone-effect concrete sit in the middle, and Indian sandstone and porcelain cost more to buy and take longer to lay well. Prices also vary widely within each type, so the range you choose matters.
Groundwork
You never see it once the patio is down, but it decides how long the patio lasts:
- lifting and taking away an old patio, concrete or turf,
- digging out to the right depth for the ground, whether sandy near the coast or heavy clay inland,
- the compacted sub-base and the mortar bed,
- a skip or waste removal.
A quote that looks cheap usually saves money here.
Levels and drainage
A sloping garden may need steps, retaining walls or a raised section. If rainwater has nowhere to go, a channel drain or soakaway adds cost but protects the house.
Access
If every barrow of material has to go through the house or down a narrow side passage, the job takes longer. Gardens with easy side or rear access are quicker.
Extras and finishing touches
Steps, garden walls, paths, raised beds, lighting and sealing all add to the total. Including them in one quote usually works out better than adding them later.
Comparing quotes
Ask every installer the same questions, and get the answers in writing:
- How deep will you dig, and what goes into the sub-base?
- Will every slab be on a full mortar bed? For porcelain and sandstone, will every slab be primed?
- What fall will the patio have, and where will the water go?
- How far below the damp-proof course will it finish?
- What is included: waste removal, jointing, cleaning down, making good the lawn edges?
If one price is far lower than the rest, the answers usually show why.
Get a free quote
The only figure you can rely on is one for your own garden. Ask for a free, no-obligation quote and we'll measure up and give you a written price.