How much does it cost to lay a new patio?

Patios can be built from a range of different materials (including porcelain, concrete and natural stones like Indian sandstone and limestone) and can follow virtually any design or layout to fit in with the size and style of your garden.

So, whatever look you’re going for and however much space you’ve got to play with, you’ll be able to create an outdoor patio area that works for you.

Of course, if you’re planning on building a new patio, it’s important to consider all of the potential costs before you get started. The last thing you want is to get halfway through the project and max out your budget.

Here’s everything you need to know about the cost of a new patio. We’ve covered the cost of the patio itself and the patio laying cost.

How much does it cost to lay a new patio?

Patio cost per m²

As a very rough estimate, you can expect the patio cost to be around £65-£340 per m².

There isn’t a clear-cut answer for the cost of your patio. The overall cost will depend on a range of factors, such as the materials needed for the job, the slabs you choose, the size of the patio, how long it’ll take to lay, and the paving design.

Other factors that will impact the cost include whether or not you will need any drainage channels or soak ways, any issues with garden access or waste disposal, the condition of the earth, skip hire and any extras such as steps, planting etc.

A ballpark new patio cost quote

As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay anywhere from £1,300 upwards for your new patio. Of course, it all depends on the type of patio, the size of the space and how much preparation work is required.

If you’re looking to add shelter over your patio, this would be an additional cost to the project. If you’re looking for ideas, then you might want to opt for an awning to add shade and protection from the rain. For more information and prices, check out our patio awning cost guide.

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How much does a concrete patio cost?

Generally speaking, concrete patios cost significantly less than other types of patio. You can expect to pay, on average, between £60-£90 per m² for a standard concrete patio.

How much does a flagstone patio cost?

The cost of a flagstone patio will vary depending on the types of slabs used, the space and so on. Prices for flagstones typically range from around £105 - £340 per m². 

How much does a raised patio cost?

A raised patio will usually cost more than other types of patio, due to the retaining wall. Again, costs will vary significantly depending on a range of factors, however, raised patios usually cost around £70 - £90 per m².

How much to lay a patio?

When working out your new patio cost, you’ll need to factor labour into the total, as well as the materials. Typically, manufactured paving slabs (usually made of concrete) are the cheapest while natural stone and porcelain pavers can be found at higher price points.

Materials can be compared by looking at the cost per m². Patio installation costs will vary depending on a number of factors. As a general rule, you should expect to pay around £240 per day.

The costs of labour should cover all the preparation needed to get the area for your patio ready. This usually involves digging out what’s already there, before preparing the ground with hardcore, followed by a layer of sand and a layer of mortar.

Patio installer hourly rates

Needless to say, the hourly rate you’ll pay for a tradesperson to lay a patio can vary considerably depending on the area you live in the UK. If we take an 8 hour day, on average you can expect to pay a landscape gardener between £20-£40 an hour, or £160-£320 a day. A bricklayer will charge between  £30-£40 an hour, or £240-£320 a day.

In either case, the professional you choose will need the help of a general labourer for the day, who will charge, on average,  £20 an hour, or  £160 a day. As a guide, a typical 20m² patio will take three to four days to lay, so at the low end you’re looking at  £1,280 in labour, and at the high end,  £1,920.

Cost of laying paving slabs per square metre – labour only

If you’re only interested in getting a professional to lay paving slabs and nothing else, then you can expect the cost to be around  £45-£95 per m².

Patio cost calculator

When calculating the cost of your new patio, you need to start with the area that you intend to have paved by your chosen professional. As a very rough estimate, you can expect your patio cost to be around  £75-£150 per m², with the average patio laying cost starting at around  £900.

If we take an average sized, square patio of 25m² (5m x 5m), and an average cost per m² of  £103.5, then you can expect to pay £2560 for the laying of a patio. On top of this, you might need to factor in £40 per m² if a lot of ground preparation is needed before laying can begin, and you’ll need to factor in skip hire at an average cost of £250 for the disposal of the old patio or any soil and shrubs from the site.

The cost of your patio really is bespoke to your situation and the vision you have, which is why it’s always advisable to get multiple quotes from locally recommended experts to get an accurate idea of your project price.

Your patio type options

Whether you’re going for a sleek and stylish modern patio or one that’s more traditional, there are a wide variety of materials available to help you achieve the desired result.

And, before you can determine your garden patio cost, you’ll need to decide what type of patio you want. These are some of the most popular types of patio.

Flagstone patio

A classic patio design choice, flagstone is one of the most popular types of patio around. Of course, like any type of paving, there are pros and cons to consider if you’re thinking of getting a flagstone patio.

The benefits of a flagstone patio

Flagstone patios are incredibly versatile. Cut in both uniform or irregular shapes, they can be laid in any number of ways, using various coloured stones and laying patterns. They are also durable and resistant to moisture and heat, so they’ll stay looking their best for years to come.

A further benefit of flagstones is that they are non-slip when wet, so you don’t need to worry about slips and falls in wet weather or near water features. Check out our flagstone ideas for inspiration.

The drawbacks of a flagstone patio

Although flagstones are relatively easy to install, they can be quite heavy and difficult to work with. It can also be time-consuming to arrange the stones in a way that looks good and fits your allocated space and design.

Concrete patio

A concrete patio offers low maintenance, high impact take on garden paving. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a concrete patio.

The benefits of a concrete patio

One of the main benefits of opting for a concrete patio is that it can be laid on one, unbroken surface. This means that it isn’t likely to crack to allow weeds and moss to grow between the gaps, as they can do with a flagstone patio.

Concrete is also incredibly durable, weatherproof, and easy to clean, making it ideal for outdoor paving. A concrete patio can also be stamped, engraved, coloured or textured to make it resemble a brick or flagstone patio, for just a fraction of the cost.

To show you what is possible for your garden check out our concrete patio ideas.

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The drawbacks of a concrete patio

Although concrete doesn’t tend to crack, if cracking does occur, it can be difficult and expensive to repair. Another drawback of a concrete patio is that it can be extremely slippery when wet.

Raised patio

If you want to create a seamless transition from the inside of your property to your outdoor space, a raised patio is a great option, providing an alternative to wooden decking. Here are the pros and cons of a raised patio.

The benefits of a raised patio

Raised patios offer a number of benefits. They are versatile and low maintenance, with very few constraints. There are also a wide range of materials, styles and colours to choose from, so it can be designed to fit perfectly in your outdoor space. Our raised patio ideas article gives plenty of inspiration on what you could do with your garden.

The drawbacks of a raised patio

A raised patio is more complex to construct than a flat patio, particularly if there’s a lot of ground to be moved. They can also be more expensive than other types of patio.

How long does it take to install a new patio?

The amount of time it will take to lay your patio depends on the type, size, and layout of the type you’ve chosen, as well as how much preparation work is required.

If you’re having your patio laid by a professional, you should expect it to take around two to three days. Before the work starts, your tradesperson should be able to give you a timeline for completion. However, be aware that this could change if they run into unexpected issues.

Patio quotes

If you’re at the stage of wanting quotes for your new patio project, then you need to know the area you’ll need paving. You can work this out by measuring the length and width, then multiplying the two figures to give you the m². Any patio professional will want to know this when you request a quote.

In addition, you can get a more accurate quote if you know the type of paving you want and, even better, can direct the tradesperson to it online for an idea of cost. Beyond this, when getting patio quotes, it’s also useful to know the surrounding finish you want, such as raised brick flower beds, steps, drainage channels or posts.

Whether you have all the information above or not, it’s important to get as many quotes as you can from local professionals before you make a decision. You can do this quickly and easily using the free search tool below to find local patio specialists recommended by your neighbours.

Different types of patio installation

Installing a flagstone patio

When you’re having a new flagstone patio installed, your tradesperson will start by marking the patio’s edges with mason’s lines, before squaring and layering the strings.

Next, they’ll excavate the patio area. This involves removing any grass or flowers and digging down approximately six inches, plus the thickness of your flagstones. Once the area has been excavated, a two-inch layer of compactible gravel will be added, followed by a decomposed granite layer.

Your flagstones will then be placed onto the surface, working from one end to another. Finally, the gaps between the stones will be filled with stones, sand or gravel.

How long does it take to replace a flagstone patio?

If you’re replacing your flagstone patio with fresh new paving, you’ll need to take into account the time needed to remove the old flagstones. As a general rule, you should expect the process to take two to three days.

Installing a concrete patio

First, the guide strings are set up to mark out the edges of the patio. Once these have been positioned, it’s important that they are squared and sloped as necessary.

Once the paved area has been laid out, all grass and plants will be removed from the area, and the soil will be dug down to accommodate the concrete. The area will then be filled with compacted gravel before the concrete form is built and set into the gravel base.

Your tradesperson will then pour the concrete, distribute it evenly and smooth it out using a screed board. Once the concrete has cured, the surface is smoothed and they’ll apply any optional finishes you’ve chosen.

As you can see, there is a lot of prep work that goes into building a concrete patio and you need to take this into account in your budget.

How long does it take to replace a concrete patio?

As a rough guide, laying a concrete patio will usually take two to three days.

If you are removing an existing concrete patio before replacing it with a new one, you’ll need to add another day or so to break up the old concrete and clear the area.

Installing a raised patio

Building a raised patio works much the same as constructing any other type of patio, but with the addition of a retaining wall.

First, the ground area and the patio height will be marked out, and a trench will be dug for the retaining wall. This is where the support and base of the wall will be buried, so it will need to be deep enough to ensure the wall is solid.

The bottom of the trench will then be levelled and made waterproof before concrete is poured in to create a horizontal surface. Your tradesperson will then build the retaining wall.

Once the retaining wall is in place, the patio surface area will be dug out and prepared. Finally, the paving you have chosen will be laid.

How long does it take to replace a raised patio?

The addition of the retaining wall means that raised structures take longer to build than other types of patio. As a rough guide, you should expect the build to take three to four days.

Want to chat with a patio installer?

For the best results and a patio that enhances your garden for years to come, contact a professional tradesperson to design and install your new patio for you.

If you’re looking for a quote, search our directory and see who your neighbours recommend for the job.