How to find and hire the best local patio contractors
Give your garden a practical, beautiful upgrade with a new patio. Learn how to find the best local patio contractors, the questions to ask and average prices.
Having a patio in your garden gives you the space to entertain, relax and socialise. As patios are flat and stable, they also make great surfaces for tables, chairs, fire pits, barbeques and more. If you’re looking to transform your outside space, you’ll need to know how to find local patio contractors.
This article covers all you need to know about finding the best professionals to bring your patio dream to life. We’ll also be exploring what to look for in a patio contractor and some of the most important questions to ask at the start of your project.
Which trades make the best local patio contractors?
First things first, it can be hard to know which trade to approach if you’re looking to lay a patio. Do you need a landscape gardener? A builder? A groundworker?
Well, the best person to lay your patio is likely to be a landscaper. They’ll be able to help remove your current surface (whether that’s gravel, lawn, decking or an existing patio). Then, they’ll be able to lay your patio slabs for you.
The benefit of hiring a landscaper is that they’re experts who specialise in bringing garden designs to life. So, their work is likely to be of a very high quality.
However, many handymen and women will also offer patio laying as part of their services. Often, you’ll find that independent handypeople charge less than big landscape gardening companies, so it can be a good way of saving some money while still getting the job done to a professional standard.
Just bear in mind that handypeople usually offer a broader scope of services, often spanning both indoor and outdoor work, so they may not have as much experience in patio laying as a landscaper.
Either way, when you’re choosing who to hire, make sure to check that they have carried out some work like this previously. If possible, see if you can also view examples of it. Which brings us onto…
Top tips for finding the best patio builders near you
You can make sure who you hire is right by checking that they:
- Will be happy to answer your questions
- Will make suggestions to ensure your new patio is the right fit for your garden
- Have examples of their past work you can view
- Have great customer recommendations
- Have years of experience
- Don’t ask for all the money upfront, payments should be made throughout your project.
A great place to start is by using our search feature. Simply put in your postcode and we will show you the patio installers near you, along with all their past reviews from your neighbours.
We recommend you get three quotes from tradespeople so that you can compare them. This will also give you the chance to speak to them to find out more information about them.
What to look for when choosing a local patio contractor
Each company and individual will have their own unique range of skills and qualities. So, research is key to ensure that you choose the best one for your needs. Spending a little time talking to potential patio contractors and reading online reviews or testimonials are two good ways of getting to know each tradesperson a little better. You should make sure any professional you hire is:
- Hard-working
- Trustworthy
- Experienced
- Knowledgeable
- Qualified
- Friendly
- Insured
- Eager to answer your questions
- Willing to talk through your job and create a written contract
What questions should I ask local patio contractors?
When you invite a tradesperson to your home to do an assessment for a project you’re planning it’s always worth having a list of questions prepared. Otherwise, you may forget all the important issues you want to address.
Below, we’ve listed some of the essential questions you should ask local patio contractors:
- Can I see past customer reviews and testimonials?
- Do you have insurance in case something goes wrong with the job?
- How long have you been operating as a patio contractor?
- Do you offer a guarantee for your work?
- Can I have a written quote?
- How long do you estimate it’ll take to lay my patio?
- Are you a member of any trade organisations?
- Can we create a payment schedule?
- When can you start work on my patio?
- Can I see other examples of your work?
Asking these questions should help reassure you that you are making the right decision by hiring a particular tradesperson. If you hire a Checkatrade member, you’ll be able to see a lot of this information on their profiles. Find out more about the checks we do.
Can I install a patio myself?
Tempted to try your hand at patio construction? It is possible to install a patio yourself, although it can be a tricky job – especially if you’re inexperienced in DIY.
Our guide on how to lay a patio will take you through the process step by step. Just remember that, if you decide to do the work yourself, there’s no guarantee that the results will be how you pictured in your head.
To give you a guaranteed professional finish, as well as to save you time and energy, we’d recommend hiring an expert to install your patio for you.
How much does a patio cost?
The cost of your patio will depend on a number of factors, including the:
- Type of slabs
- Size of patio
- Whether it’s raised
- Location
Paving slabs can be quite affordable, with costs starting at around £25 per m2. However, you’ll also need to pay for other materials, as well as installation. Our patio laying cost guide has more information on all the prices and factors you need to consider.
On average, installation costs around £200 per day. Most patios can be installed in three days or less so installation costs will typically be around £600.
How much does it cost for a landscape gardener to lay patio slabs?
Garden landscaping costs usually come in between £20 and £40 an hour, or £160-£320 a day.
Can I get a handyman to lay my patio?
Handymen and women can lay your patio. However, you may be better placed to hire a landscaper who will specialist in the job.
How much does it cost for a handyman to lay patio slabs?
The average handyperson prices in the UK are £30 per hour, although this can depend on their skill set.
Ready to hire someone?
Once you’re ready to go ahead and start construction on your patio, try our online search feature. Just type in your postcode and you’re one click away from a range of different experts.
To erase that ‘fingers crossed’ feeling that comes with inviting someone into your home, our members all pass 12 thorough background checks. We also verify customer reviews to make sure they’re legit. We’re that confident in our members that we offer a guarantee of up to £1,000 on their work (T&Cs apply).
FAQs
How much does it cost to lay a patio per m2 UK?
The cost of laying a patio starts at around £60-£90 per m2 for a concrete patio and goes up to around £105-£340 per m2 for a flagstone patio. This is inclusive of both materials and labour.
Who to lay paving slabs?
Landscape gardeners or handypeople are two trades well-suited to laying paving slabs.
What is the cheapest way to lay a patio?
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to lay a patio, try getting concrete patio slabs installed by a handyperson.
What do you call someone who does patios?
The terms patio contractor, patio installer, and paver all refer to professionals who offer patio laying as part of their services. However, you can also approach landscape gardeners and handypeople.
Can I lay paving slabs myself?
Yes, you can lay paving slabs yourself. However, it’s hard work as it’s not just about laying the slabs but also about the preparation work that goes in beforehand. For instance, you’ll need to dig down to the right depth and create a base for your patio first.
Getting a professional to install your paving will not only save you a lot of effort, but it will also ensure that you get the professional result you’re after.
How many paving slabs can you lay in a day?
That depends on the size of your paving slabs, the access, the pattern you’re laying in, the number of installers, and whether there are any awkward features like manhole covers and steps. However, in general, a labourer and a paver working together can expect to lay around 15 m2 of patio per day.
What time of year should you put in a patio?
Winter is usually considered the best time of year to put in a patio. Laying a patio at this time of year will often cause less damage to plants and turf. Plus, it means your patio will be ready for you to use in spring!
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