How Much Does a New Patio Cost in 2026?
Most UK homeowners pay between £2,000 and £5,000 for a new patio. The total depends on the paving material, patio size, and how much groundwork is needed. Concrete slabs start from £50 per m² installed, Indian sandstone runs £80–£130 per m², and porcelain costs £100–£180 per m².
£3,700
Average cost
£50–£80
Concrete slabs/m²
£80–£130
Sandstone/m²
2–5 days
Installation time
Prices updated April 2026 · Based on industry data and contractor submissions.
Patio Prices per m² by Material
Prices include excavation, sub-base, materials, and laying. The biggest cost variable is the paving material - the labour to lay it is broadly similar regardless of material.
| Material | Supply/m² | Installed/m² |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete paving slabs | £15 – £30 | £50 – £80 |
| Riven concrete (stone effect) | £20 – £40 | £55 – £90 |
| Indian sandstone | £25 – £50 | £80 – £130 |
| Porcelain paving | £30 – £80 | £100 – £180 |
| Block paving (concrete) | £25 – £45 | £80 – £140 |
| Block paving (clay) | £40 – £70 | £120 – £170 |
| Natural stone (limestone/slate) | £40 – £90 | £110 – £200 |
| Granite setts | £50 – £100 | £140 – £250 |
Total Cost by Patio Size
| Patio Size | Concrete | Sandstone |
|---|---|---|
| Small (15m²) | £750 – £1,200 | £1,200 – £1,950 |
| Medium (25m²) | £1,250 – £2,000 | £2,000 – £3,250 |
| Large (40m²) | £2,000 – £3,200 | £3,200 – £5,200 |
Labour Cost Breakdown
| Trade | Cost |
|---|---|
| Patio layer / landscaper | £200 – £300 |
| Groundworker (excavation) | £180 – £250 |
| Labourer | £120 – £180 |
Most patio installers quote a price per m² that includes both labour and sub-base preparation.
Sub-Base and Groundwork Costs
The sub-base is the foundation your patio sits on. Getting it right is the single most important part of the job - a poor sub-base is the main reason patios sink, crack, and need replacing prematurely.
Excavation (200–250mm depth)
Machine dig if access allows, hand dig if not
£8 – £15 per m²
MOT Type 1 hardcore (100mm+)
Supply, spread, and compact
£15 – £25 per m²
Mortar bed
Sand/cement mix for bedding slabs
£5 – £10 per m²
Soil disposal
Skip hire or grab lorry for excavated soil
£200 – £400
Drainage Considerations
Every patio must slope away from the house to prevent water pooling against the walls. The standard fall is 1 in 60 (roughly 15mm per metre). If drainage is a concern, additional measures may be needed.
Important: The patio surface must finish at least 150mm below your damp-proof course (DPC). If the finished patio level would be higher than the DPC, you either need to excavate deeper or use a drainage channel against the house wall. Building a patio above the DPC is a common mistake that causes damp problems inside the house. See Building Regulations guidance on gov.uk for drainage requirements.
Linear channel drain
Installed at the patio edge or against the house wall
£50 – £100 per linear metre
Soakaway
Needed if there is no suitable drainage outlet nearby
£200 – £500
Permeable paving (block paving)
Allows water to drain through the surface — required for front garden areas over 5m². See planning permission rules on gov.uk
+£10 – £20 per m²
What Affects the Cost of a New Patio?
Paving material
This is the single biggest cost variable. Concrete slabs at £50–£80/m² installed are a third of the price of porcelain at £100–£180/m². Indian sandstone sits in the middle at £80–£130/m² and offers the best balance of appearance and value for most homeowners. The laying labour is broadly similar regardless of material - the difference is almost entirely in the slab cost.
Patio size
A larger patio costs more in total but less per square metre. The setup costs (excavation, skip hire, sub-base delivery) are spread over a larger area. A 40m² patio does not cost double a 20m² patio - expect it to cost 60–70% more.
Ground conditions
Level, well-drained ground is cheapest. Clay soil, tree roots, existing concrete, or a sloping site all add cost. If the ground is boggy, drainage work is needed before the sub-base goes in, which can add £500–£1,500. A significant slope may need a retaining wall or stepped levels. For larger patio projects, consider hiring a BALI-registered landscaper who can handle complex groundwork properly.
Access
If a mini-digger can get into the garden, excavation is faster and cheaper. If everything has to be dug by hand and carried through the house, labour costs increase. Narrow side access is workable but tight rear gardens with no access at all add a day or more to the job.
Steps, edging, and features
Steps cost £100–£300 per step. Edging or a soldier course border adds £10–£25 per linear metre. A raised planter or low wall within the patio area adds £200–£600. Each feature adds labour time and materials, so keep the design simple if budget is a concern.
Your location
Labour rates are 25–35% higher in London and the South East. Materials cost roughly the same everywhere. A 25m² Indian sandstone patio that costs £3,400 in Yorkshire might cost £4,800 in London.
Additional Costs to Budget For
These extras are not always included in a basic patio quote. Ask about each one when comparing prices.
| Extra Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Excavation and sub-base | £30 – £50 per m² |
| Skip hire (6-yard) | £200 – £350 |
| Drainage (linear channel) | £50 – £100 per linear metre |
| Soakaway | £200 – £500 |
| Patio steps | £100 – £300 per step |
| Edging / border | £10 – £25 per linear metre |
| Pointing / jointing compound | £5 – £15 per m² |
| Sealing (sandstone/natural stone) | £5 – £10 per m² |
| Old patio removal | £20 – £40 per m² |
Patio Costs by Region
Average prices for a 25m² Indian sandstone patio with full sub-base, fully installed, by UK region.
| Region | Average Cost | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| London | £4,800 | +30% |
| South East | £4,200 | +14% |
| South West | £3,900 | +5% |
| East of England | £4,000 | +8% |
| Midlands | £3,700 | Average |
| Yorkshire | £3,400 | -8% |
| North West | £3,500 | -5% |
| North East | £3,100 | -16% |
| Scotland | £3,300 | -11% |
| Wales | £3,200 | -14% |
Based on industry data. Prices for a 25m² Indian sandstone patio, fully installed.
How to Get Your Patio for Less
A patio is one of the best-value garden improvements, and there are several straightforward ways to keep the cost down without compromising quality.
Get three quotes on the same specification
Patio quotes are tricky to compare because materials vary so much in price. Specify the exact material (e.g. 'Marshalls Indian sandstone, Autumn Brown, 600x600'), patio size, and whether sub-base and excavation are included. Without matching specs, you are comparing different jobs.
Choose Indian sandstone over porcelain if budget is tight
Indian sandstone at £80–£130 per m² installed looks far better than concrete slabs and costs 20–30% less than porcelain. It does need sealing and occasional cleaning, but for most homeowners it hits the sweet spot between appearance and cost. Avoid the cheapest sandstone - it tends to be inconsistent in thickness and harder to lay.
Buy the slabs yourself from a trade supplier
Paving slabs from a builders merchant or online supplier are typically 15–25% cheaper than through a landscaper. End-of-line deals on quality paving can save you hundreds on a medium to large patio. Just coordinate delivery with your installer so the slabs arrive on the right day - natural stone is heavy and takes up space.
Keep the shape simple
A rectangular patio with straight edges is the cheapest shape to lay. Curves, angles, and intricate borders mean more cutting, more waste, and more time. If you want a more interesting shape, stick to gentle curves - tight radius curves on large slabs mean a lot of cutting and waste.
Do not skimp on the sub-base
A good sub-base is the difference between a patio that lasts 20 years and one that starts sinking after two winters. Insist on at least 100mm of compacted MOT Type 1 hardcore. If a quote seems unusually cheap, check that full excavation and sub-base are included - cutting corners here is the most common cost-saving that causes problems later.
Book for autumn or winter
Spring and summer are peak season for patio work. Booking for October through February often means shorter waiting times and sometimes a better price. The work can be done in dry winter weather - mortar just needs to be kept above freezing for 24 hours after laying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new patio cost in the UK?
A new patio in the UK typically costs between £1,500 and £8,000 depending on size and material. A small 15m² patio with concrete slabs costs around £1,200–£2,000. A medium 25m² Indian sandstone patio runs £2,500–£4,500. A large 40m² porcelain patio can cost £5,000–£8,000+. These prices include sub-base preparation, materials, and laying.
How much does block paving cost per m²?
Block paving costs £80–£140 per m² fully installed for standard concrete blocks. Permeable block paving runs £100–£170 per m². Clay pavers and natural stone setts cost £140–£250 per m². These prices include excavation, sub-base, sand, blocks, and laying. Block paving is popular for patios and driveways because of its durability and range of patterns.
What is the cheapest patio material?
Concrete paving slabs are the cheapest patio option at £50–£80 per m² fully installed. They come in a range of sizes and finishes, including textured options that mimic natural stone. For a slightly better look without a big price jump, riven concrete slabs offer a more natural appearance at £55–£90 per m². Indian sandstone is the best value natural stone option at £80–£130 per m².
How long does it take to lay a patio?
A small patio (15m²) takes 2–3 days including excavation, sub-base, and laying. A medium patio (25m²) takes 3–4 days. A large patio (40m²+) takes 4–6 days. These timescales assume reasonable ground conditions and dry weather. Wet weather delays are common with patio work because mortar and concrete cannot be laid in rain.
Do I need planning permission for a patio?
Most rear garden patios do not need planning permission under permitted development. However, if you are paving more than 5 square metres of your front garden, you must use permeable paving or direct rainwater to a lawn or border - this is to prevent surface water flooding. Patios in conservation areas or on listed buildings may need permission. If your patio raises the ground level significantly, check with your local council.
Is Indian sandstone a good choice for a patio?
Indian sandstone is one of the most popular patio materials in the UK, and for good reason. It offers a natural, attractive appearance at a reasonable price (£80–£130 per m² installed). It is durable, comes in a range of warm colours, and weathers nicely over time. The main downside is that it is porous - it needs sealing to prevent staining and algae growth. It can also be uneven in thickness, which means more skill is needed to lay it level.
How much does a porcelain patio cost?
A porcelain patio costs £100–£180 per m² fully installed. Porcelain paving slabs cost £30–£80 per m² for supply only, with premium brands costing more. Porcelain is non-porous, frost-proof, stain-resistant, and extremely low maintenance. It does need a specific adhesive (not standard mortar), which adds to the laying cost. It is one of the best long-term value options for a patio.
What sub-base does a patio need?
A patio needs a compacted sub-base of at least 100mm of MOT Type 1 hardcore, topped with a mortar bed for slabs or a sand bed for block paving. The excavation depth is typically 200–250mm below finished level. A proper sub-base prevents sinking and cracking - it is the most important part of the job and should never be skimped on. Poor sub-base preparation is the main reason patios fail.
How much do patio steps cost?
Patio steps cost £100–£300 per step depending on material and width. Simple concrete slab steps are cheapest. Natural stone or porcelain steps cost more because of the cutting and fitting involved. Bull-nose edging adds a premium but gives a cleaner finish. Budget £400–£1,200 for a set of 3–4 steps in matching patio material.
Reviewed by Chris Ward, Less.co.uk Home Improvement Costs Specialist
Last updated: · Pricing based on industry data and verified contractor submissions · Methodology
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