Cost of a New Patio
A new patio typically costs £800–£2,500 for a standard 20–25m² area, depending on materials, ground preparation, and whether you hire a tradesman. DIY laying can cut costs significantly, though preparation and drainage work may still require professional input.
What Affects the Cost
The single biggest variable is your choice of material. Basic concrete paving slabs are the most affordable option, while natural stone such as sandstone or slate can cost three to four times as much per square metre. Indian sandstone sits in the middle and remains one of the most popular choices for UK homeowners. See our Best Patio Materials Guide to compare your options before committing to a budget.
Patio size directly drives both material costs and labour time. A small courtyard patio of around 10m² will cost considerably less than a 30m² entertaining area, even using identical materials. Always calculate your square meterage before requesting quotes.
Ground preparation is frequently underestimated. If your garden has soft, uneven, or sloping ground, excavation depth increases, more sub-base material is needed, and disposal costs rise. On poorly draining ground, a proper sub-base of compacted MOT Type 1 hardcore is essential — cutting corners here leads to sunken or rocking slabs within a few years.
Drainage requirements affect cost meaningfully. Building Regulations require that surface water from a new hard-standing area does not run onto the public highway or neighbouring land. If your garden does not drain naturally away from the house and boundary, you may need to incorporate a channel drain or soakaway, adding £150–£400 to the project.
Access to the work area matters to tradespeople pricing a job. A garden accessible only through a narrow side gate will take longer to clear spoil and deliver materials than an open rear garden, and some contractors apply an access surcharge. If you are budgeting for DIY, restricted access will also affect how quickly you can work.
Labour rates vary considerably by region and by trade. Landscapers and paving specialists typically charge a day rate or price by the square metre. Obtaining multiple quotes is the most reliable way to benchmark local rates — see our tips below on getting the best price.
UK Average Cost Breakdown
| Task | DIY Cost | Trade Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete paving slabs (20m²) | £200–£350 | £600–£1,000 | Trade cost includes supply and lay; DIY is materials only |
| Indian sandstone (20m²) | £400–£700 | £1,000–£1,800 | Popular mid-range choice; prices vary by grade and thickness |
| Natural slate or limestone (20m²) | £600–£1,200 | £1,400–£2,500 | Premium materials; requires experienced layer to avoid lippage |
| Excavation and sub-base (20m²) | £50–£120 (skip hire) | £200–£450 | DIY cost assumes you can hire a mini-digger or dig by hand; trade includes spoil removal |
| MOT Type 1 sub-base material | £80–£150 | Included in prep quote | Minimum 100mm depth recommended; more on soft ground |
| Pointing / jointing | £20–£50 | Often included in lay cost | Polymeric jointing compound adds £30–£60 over standard mortar |
| Channel drain installation | £60–£120 | £200–£400 | Required where surface water cannot drain naturally away |
| Skip hire (2–3 tonne) | £160–£280 | Often included or added separately | Prices vary by region; permit needed if skip on public road |
DIY vs Tradesman — Is It Worth It?
Laying a patio yourself is achievable for a competent DIYer with the right preparation, tools, and time. The labour cost saved — typically £300–£900 for a 20m² patio — is a genuine incentive. However, the groundwork phase is where most DIY patios fail. Under-excavating, using insufficient sub-base depth, or skipping a weed membrane leads to movement and weed ingress within two or three years. If you are prepared to do the preparation properly, the laying itself is a satisfying and manageable task. Our guide on how to lay a patio on a budget walks through the process step by step.
For natural stone — particularly irregular flagstone, slate, or porcelain — the case for hiring a trade is stronger. These materials are expensive to waste through incorrect cuts, and achieving consistent joint widths and a level surface without experience is difficult. Porcelain in particular requires specialist adhesive rather than a traditional mortar bed, and a poor installation can crack within a season. If your garden has significant slope changes, retaining edges, or drainage challenges, a landscaper’s expertise will also pay for itself in avoiding remedial work later. A tradesman will also be responsible for ensuring the finished surface complies with permitted development rules around drainage — which is your legal responsibility either way.
Regional Price Variations
Labour costs in London and the South East are typically 20–40% higher than the national average for paving work, reflecting higher trade day rates and overhead costs. A job quoted at £1,200 in the Midlands or North of England may cost £1,500–£1,700 for the same specification in Greater London. Material costs are broadly similar across the country, though delivery charges can add £30–£80 if you live in a remote rural area. In Scotland and Wales, availability of specialist paving contractors can be more limited outside cities, which can also affect pricing. Always obtain at least three local quotes to establish what the going rate is in your area.
How to Get the Best Price
- Get a minimum of three written quotes from local paving contractors or landscapers. Verbal estimates are not sufficient — insist on an itemised written quote so you can compare like for like.
- Book in late autumn or winter. Demand for patio work drops sharply between November and February, and many tradespeople will negotiate on price or prioritise your job during quiet periods.
- Supply your own materials if you have space to take delivery. Some contractors will lay customer-supplied slabs and reduce the quote accordingly, removing their materials mark-up.
- Combine jobs where possible. If you are also considering a new gravel path or other garden work, having the same contractor price both jobs often results in a better combined rate than two separate projects.
- Ask whether the contractor is VAT registered. Sole traders below the VAT threshold (currently £90,000 as set by HMRC) do not charge VAT, which can make a meaningful difference on larger jobs — confirm this is reflected in the quote.
What a Good Quote Should Include
- A breakdown of material costs by type and quantity, including the sub-base, sand, and jointing compound — not just a single lump sum figure.
- Confirmation of what preparation work is included: excavation depth, removal and disposal of spoil, and any existing surface break-up.
- Details of drainage provision, including how surface water will be managed in line with local authority requirements.
- Start date, estimated duration, and a clear payment schedule — a reputable contractor will not ask for full payment upfront.
- Whether the quote includes VAT or is exclusive of it, and confirmation of the contractor’s public liability insurance.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Subsoil conditions: Clay-heavy or waterlogged ground requires deeper excavation and more sub-base material than standard soil. This can add £150–£300 to preparation costs and is rarely apparent until digging starts. If your garden is prone to standing water, read our guide on how to fix a waterlogged garden before laying any hard surfacing.
- Skip permit fees: If the skip must sit on a public road or pavement rather than your driveway, your local council will charge a permit fee, typically £30–£80 depending on duration and authority. The skip hire company will usually arrange this, but confirm it is included in the quoted price.
- Slab wastage and cuts: Complex shapes, curved edges, or patios with lots of cut edges around raised beds or walls generate significantly more offcuts. Budget for 10–15% extra material on top of your exact square meterage to cover cuts and breakages, particularly with natural stone.
- Boundary or planning complications: Patios very close to a boundary wall, or those forming part of a larger hard-standing area over 5m², may trigger the need to check permitted development rules with your local planning authority. This is free to verify but can delay a project if an application is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a patio cost per square metre in the UK?
Expect to pay roughly £40–£70 per square metre for a professionally laid concrete slab patio and £70–£120 per square metre for Indian sandstone, including materials and labour. Natural stone and porcelain typically cost more.
Do I need planning permission for a new patio?
Most residential patios fall under permitted development and do not require planning permission, provided the surface water drains to a lawn or border rather than the public highway. However, if the patio is within a conservation area or forms part of a large hard-standing exceeding permitted development thresholds, you should check with your local planning authority before starting work.
How long does it take to lay a patio?
A professional team of two can typically complete a standard 20–25m² patio in two to three days, including preparation. A solo DIYer should allow four to six days for the same area, spread over a weekend or two, to allow mortar to set between stages.
What is the cheapest patio material in the UK?
Concrete paving slabs are consistently the most affordable option, with basic ranges available from around £10–£20 per square metre. They are durable and straightforward to lay, making them a practical choice if budget is the primary concern.
How do I maintain a new patio once it is laid?
Regular cleaning prevents algae and moss build-up that can make slabs slippery and degrade jointing over time. Re-pointing joints every few years helps prevent weed ingress and slab movement. Our guide to cleaning and pressure washing a patio covers the full maintenance process.
When laying on a mortar bed, use a semi-dry mix rather than a wet slurry for most natural stone — it gives you more working time and reduces the risk of staining porous surfaces with cement bleed. Apply a diluted SBR bonding agent to the back of the slab before laying to improve adhesion without the mess of a full wet mix.
Sources
- Which? — Patio costs guide — which.co.uk
- Checkatrade — How much does a patio cost? — checkatrade.com
- GOV.UK — Permitted development rights for householders: hard surfaces — gov.uk
This guide is for general information only. Always work safely and follow manufacturer instructions. DIYnut accepts no liability for injury or damage arising from DIY work.
