A new patio in the UK typically costs £40 to £220 per square metre installed in 2026, depending on the material and finish. A standard 20 m² patio costs £1,500 to £4,500 for most materials. Concrete slabs are the most affordable option, while porcelain and natural stone sit at the premium end. All prices include groundwork, materials and laying labour.
Patio Cost Calculator
Enter your patio size and choose a material for a personalised estimate. Costs are based on typical 2026 UK trade prices including sub-base, materials and laying labour.
Average Patio Costs by Material (2026)
The table below shows typical installed patio costs across the UK in 2026. These figures include the sub-base, materials and laying labour. Actual prices vary by region, site conditions and landscaper — always get multiple quotes for your specific garden.
| Material | Installed Cost per m² | 20 m² Patio | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Slabs | £40 – £70 | £800 – £1,400 | Low (jet wash annually) |
| Gravel | £30 – £55 | £600 – £1,100 | Top up every 2–3 years |
| Block Paving | £80 – £150 | £1,600 – £3,000 | Re-sand joints periodically |
| Indian Sandstone | £70 – £120 | £1,400 – £2,400 | Seal every 2–3 years |
| Porcelain | £90 – £160 | £1,800 – £3,200 | Very low (non-porous) |
| Natural Slate | £100 – £180 | £2,000 – £3,600 | Seal periodically |
Note: Prices include sub-base, materials and laying. If an existing patio, decking or concrete surface needs breaking up and removing first, budget an extra £15–£25 per m² for excavation and waste disposal.
What Affects Your Patio Cost
Two patios of the same size can come in at very different prices. The following factors are the main reasons quotes vary.
Area and size. The bigger the patio, the more materials and labour you pay for, although the cost per square metre often falls slightly on larger jobs because setup, delivery and skip costs are spread over more area. Very small patios (under 10 m²) can look expensive per m² for the same reason.
Material choice. This is the biggest variable by far. A basic concrete slab patio can cost less than half the price of porcelain or natural slate over the same footprint. Within each material there is also a wide quality range — budget Indian sandstone from a merchant costs far less than premium calibrated stone.
Ground preparation. A sloping garden that needs levelling, poor drainage that needs falls or a soakaway, or tree roots that must be worked around all add labour time. If the ground is soft or recently disturbed, a deeper sub-base may be needed to prevent settlement.
Access for deliveries. Pallets of paving stone are heavy — often around a tonne each — and need to be moved from the kerb to your garden. Rear gardens with no side access mean everything is barrowed through by hand, which adds labour hours to the quote.
Pattern and layout complexity. Simple single-size layouts are quickest to lay. Mixed-size patio packs, herringbone block paving, circles, curves and diagonal cuts all increase cutting time and wastage, pushing the price up.
Edging and borders. Contrasting borders, brick edging or retaining edges for raised patios add material and labour cost. They also help hold the structure together, so they are rarely worth cutting entirely.
Drainage requirements. Patios must fall away from the house, and larger areas may need channel drains or a soakaway to comply with good practice on surface water. Gravel and permeable block paving drain naturally, while sealed surfaces need planned drainage.
Region. London and the South East typically price 15–20% above the national average, while the North of England, Scotland and Wales tend to sit 10–15% below. The South West usually runs slightly above average.
Choosing the Right Patio Material
Each material has a different balance of price, appearance and upkeep. Here is a brief comparison to help you shortlist.
Concrete slabs. The cheapest solid paving option and available in many colours and textured finishes, including riven styles that mimic natural stone. Versatile and easy to source, but slabs can crack if the sub-base is poor and colours may fade over time.
Gravel or shingle. The lowest-cost option overall and well suited to DIY — a weekend job for a confident homeowner. It needs solid edging to stop migration and a weed membrane underneath, and it is less practical for furniture or wheelchairs than a paved surface.
Block paving. Durable and repairable — individual blocks can be lifted and replaced if damaged or stained. Permeable options handle drainage without extra works. Joints need re-sanding periodically and weeds can establish if the surface is neglected.
Indian sandstone. Natural beauty at a mid-range price, with each piece unique in colour and veining. It suits traditional gardens especially well. The stone is porous, so it needs sealing every couple of years to resist staining and algae.
Porcelain. A premium, contemporary look with very consistent sizing and colour. It is frost-proof, stain-resistant and non-porous, so maintenance is minimal. The trade-off is a higher price, and it requires a full mortar bed and specialist cutting tools to lay properly.
Natural slate. A distinctive dark, layered appearance that works well in both modern and cottage gardens. Like sandstone it benefits from periodic sealing, and it is harder to cut cleanly, which increases laying time on complex layouts.
How to Save on Patio Costs
A patio is a long-term investment, but there are sensible ways to bring the price down without cutting corners on the sub-base — the one part you should never skimp on.
Choose concrete or gravel for a budget build. If the goal is usable outdoor space rather than a showpiece, concrete slabs or gravel deliver a functional patio for roughly half the cost of porcelain or slate over the same area.
Book for autumn or winter. Landscapers are busiest from spring to late summer. Booking work for the quieter months often secures better prices and shorter lead times, and paving can be laid in most dry, frost-free weather.
Consider DIY laying on a prepared base. Some homeowners pay a contractor to excavate and prepare the sub-base — the technically demanding part — then lay slabs themselves. This suits simple layouts with larger format slabs rather than intricate patterns.
Reuse the existing sub-base if it is sound. If you are replacing a patio and the existing base is solid, level and well drained, your landscaper may be able to lay directly onto it, saving the excavation surcharge and skip hire.
Get at least three quotes. Prices for the same job can vary significantly between landscapers. Make sure each quote covers the same specification — sub-base depth, material grade, edging and waste removal — before comparing.
Buy materials direct. Purchasing slabs from a builders’ merchant yourself, rather than through the contractor, can avoid a mark-up on materials. Agree this with your landscaper first and confirm quantities including a cutting allowance.
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Sources & References
Costs shown are typical ranges based on published trade data. Your actual cost depends on your garden, location and chosen contractor. Always obtain multiple quotes. Last checked August 2026.