Patio price – find out how much it costs to install a garden patio

Do you want somewhere to sit, dine or relax in the garden? Well a patio is perfect for all these things – but how much does building a garden patio cost?

A stone, concrete or clay patio is a
perfect addition to any garden

Any garden can benefit from a well laid, attractive patio and you can use yours for a variety of things. Perhaps you want a large dining/BBQ area or maybe a small secluded spot with loungers for sunbathing or an area for kids to play. Whatever the purpose, a patio looks great, but how much will it cost you to build?

Stone patio cost

Stone patios look good because each piece of stone has its own unique colour and design. Slate, limestone and traditional British stone are more expensive patio materials which have been overshadowed by cheaper, imported options like sandstone from India. According to AJ McCormack and Son paving experts, stone patios can cost around £30 to £75 per square meter. Luke Wilkins, from the Driveway Company in Milton Keynes says: “Sandstone is less expensive; it can cost around £25 per square metre.” Another option is to use reclaimed stone salvaged from old properties, which will save you money.

Concrete patio price

“The cheapest patio option is concrete blocks, which can cost as little as £12 per square metre,” explains Luke. In fact, AJ McCormack and son suggest that concrete paving can be as cheap as £3 to £6 per square metre. Although concrete patios are cheaper, they are still durable, long-lasting and come in a variety of colours. However, the cheapest kinds of concrete can wear away over time and the colour will fade because it doesn’t permeate the whole thickness of the paving.

Clay patio cost

Clay is one of the oldest patio materials and is a durable, natural option. Clay patio paving is similar to concrete in its thickness and durability but it comes in a wider variety of natural colours and shades. The colour of clay permeates the whole thickness of the block, so it doesn’t fade over time. Clay patio blocks can cost between £40 and £60, suggests AJ McCormack and Son.

Laying a patio

Patio prices will vary depending on the size and the type of materials, their colour and texture. Rob, from Plantazia Patios and Walls in Kent says: “You should always hire a professional to install any kind of hard landscaping like patios.” Patios need to be laid very carefully so that they don’t lift or shift underfoot – so get at least three quotes from a professional patio layer before you go ahead.

Generally a paving expert will construct your patio by putting down a layer of broken brick or stone or a concrete mix called hardcore. Once this is levelled, a layer of mortar or sand is used to cement in the patio paving, leaving gaps between the joins, which are later filled in with mortar or sand.