Garden & outdoors
Patio and paving cost calculator
A patio is heavy work but straightforward in principle: dig, lay a compacted base, bed the slabs and point the joints. The groundwork is the job. Get it right and the patio will last for decades.
- Full DIY
- £1,280
- Smart Hybrid
- £1,280
- Full Trade
- £2,240
Typical mid-range job, Midlands rates. Yours updates below.
Updated November 2026. Estimates based on typical UK prices.
Cost calculator
Price this job three ways
Answer a few questions and watch the numbers move. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Smart Hybrid saves £960 against a full trade job.
Smart Hybrid
You take on what you can, a trade handles the rest.
£1,280
- Materials
- £965
- Labour
- £0
- Extras
- £315
- You take on: excavate and compact the sub-base, lay slabs and point the joints.
- Everything else stays with a trade.
- Keep the finished surface at least 150 mm below your damp-proof course, with a slight fall away from the house.
- Paving a front garden with more than 5 m² of non-porous surface needs planning permission unless water drains to a permeable area.
Turn this into a plan
Get the order of work, who to book and a budget tracker, all editable.
Order of work for this job
A typical order. Always confirm timing with whoever you book, since some steps can overlap.
- 1
Strip out
- Excavate and compact the sub-baseYou · ~2 days
- 2
Fitting
- Lay slabs and point the jointsYou · ~2.4 days
How we worked out the materials›
- Paving slabs£42012 m² + 10% for cuts = 13.2 m²
- Type 1 sub-base£30012 m² at 100 mm deep, about 3.8 m² per bulk bag
- Sharp sand (bedding)£14012 m² at 40 mm, about 10 m² per bulk bag
- Cement£4512 m² of mortar bed, about 2.5 m² per bag
- Jointing compound£6012 m² of joints, about 6 m² per tub
Estimates only, based on regional averages. Always get 2 to 3 written quotes from local trades.
The price
What affects the cost?
- 1
Area and slab size
Paving, base material and sand all scale with area. Large slabs cost more per m² and are heavier to lay.
- 2
Paving type
Concrete is cheapest. Sandstone, porcelain and natural stone cost much more.
- 3
Excavation and spoil
Digging out 150–200mm and removing soil is hard work and often needs a skip.
- 4
Sub-base and bedding
A compacted hardcore base and a mortar or sand bed add material but are essential for durability.
- 5
Edges and drainage
Edging restraints, falls and drainage affect both cost and how long the patio lasts.
Be honest with yourself
Can you do this yourself?
You can do
- The whole job, though it is heavy so allow time and a helper
- Marking out, digging and compacting the base
- Laying and pointing the slabs
Leave to a pro
- Large areas or heavy porcelain slabs
- Driveways, which take vehicle loads and may need permits
- Ground with serious drainage problems
The rules
Paving a front garden with a non-porous surface larger than 5 m² needs planning permission unless water drains to a permeable area. Make sure the patio surface is at least 150mm below your damp-proof course.
DIY guide
How to lay a patio, step by step
Tools you'll need
- Spade and wheelbarrow
- Plate compactor (hire)
- Rubber mallet and spirit level
- String line and pegs
- Angle grinder with diamond blade or a block splitter
- Trowel and brush
Materials
- Paving slabs plus about 5–10% extra
- Type 1 hardcore sub-base
- Sharp sand and cement
- Jointing compound
- Edge restraints
- Weed membrane
- 1
Plan the size, fall and levels
~0.5 daysMark the area with pegs and string, set the finished level at least 150mm below the damp-proof course, and plan a slight fall (about 1 in 80) away from the house for drainage.
- 2
Excavate the area
~1.5 daysDig out to the depth you need: slab thickness plus bedding plus sub-base, usually about 150–200 mm. Remove turf, roots and soft soil.
- 3
Lay and compact the sub-base
~1 daySpread about 100mm of Type 1 hardcore in layers and compact each layer thoroughly with a plate compactor. A firm sub-base stops the patio sinking.
Tip: Hire a plate compactor for a day. It is worth every penny over a hand tamper.
- 4
Spread the bedding layer
~0.5 daysSpread about 30–40 mm of a mortar mix (sharp sand and cement) over the base, screed it level with a straight edge, and work in small sections.
- 5
Lay the slabs
~2 daysStart from a straight edge or corner. Place each slab and tap it down with a rubber mallet, checking level and the fall as you go. Leave a consistent 8–10 mm joint with spacers.
- 6
Cut slabs to fit
~0.5 daysMeasure, mark and cut slabs with an angle grinder or splitter at the edges. Cutting creates lots of dust, so protect your eyes, ears and lungs.
Wear eye protection, ear defenders and a dust mask when cutting paving.
- 7
Point the joints and finish
~0.5 daysBrush jointing compound or a dry mortar mix into the joints, compact it, and brush off the surface. Leave to cure, and keep off the patio for the time on the packet.
Learn from others
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the compacted sub-base, so slabs sink
- No fall, so water pools against the house
- Laying the patio too high, bridging the damp-proof course
- Using too wet a bed, so slabs move
- Not allowing for cutting waste when ordering
Frequently asked questions
How much does a patio cost?
For a typical 4 × 3 m patio in natural sandstone on a compacted base, expect from around £1,280 laying it yourself to £2,240 with a landscaper. Concrete slabs are cheaper and porcelain costs more.
How much do paving slabs cost per m²?
Natural sandstone paving costs around £30 per m². Concrete slabs are cheaper and porcelain paving costs more. Allow about 10% extra for cuts and breakages.
How deep should a patio base be?
A typical patio needs about 100 mm of compacted Type 1 sub-base, then 30–40 mm of mortar bedding and the slab, so you dig out around 150–200 mm. Driveways need a deeper, stronger base.
Can I lay a patio myself?
Yes, though it is heavy, physical work. The groundwork is the job: a well-compacted base, a slight fall away from the house, and a surface at least 150 mm below the damp-proof course. Hire a plate compactor, and get a helper for lifting slabs.
Do I need planning permission for a patio?
Usually not for the back garden. At the front of the house, paving more than 5 m² with a non-porous surface needs planning permission unless rainwater drains to a permeable area. Check local rules near listed buildings.
Ready to plan it?
Add this job to your renovation plan to get the order of work, who to book and a budget you can track.