Price range – £2000 to £3000
Average Cost – £2500
Best/Cheapest price – £900
In this cost guide, we’ll be looking at the cost to lay a patio in your garden. We’ll look at the essential cost for a patio, the different types of patio you can have and the additional costs that might be included in laying a patio.
If you are looking to make improvements to your garden, then you should consider having a patio. A patio gives you space that can be utilised in different ways, from space for garden furniture to having a place for a BBQ.
Compared to timber decking, which is another choice you could have, a patio can be a better choice. This is because a patio doesn’t require treatment, it doesn’t rot and patios are easier to clean.
The Main Costs of a Laying a Patio
Whether it’s to welcome guests for garden parties or for your own enjoyment, a patio is an excellent feature for any garden.
However, it is pretty challenging to put an exact price on how much a patio would cost as several factors can affect the price. The main components are the materials used and the work costs.
Depending on the types of slabs you want, you can pay between £20 to £75 per m2.
You will also need to factor in the cost of labour for laying a patio is typically around £200 a day. If you are planning to install the patio yourself you can eliminate the cost of labour. However, it is crucial to consider the time it will still take you to carry out the work.
Other costs may include whether you will need drainage channels or soak ways and also waste removal.
There are also other aspects that will also be covered in this article, which include whether you will need a cover in the form of a canopy or awning. Again, this will require a different set of skills and costs.
Different Types of Patio
There is a range of different types of patio you could have in your garden, from a traditional-looking patio to a modern looking one. This can impact the cost depending on your choice. Here are some of the most common types of patio.
Flagstone Patio
If you want a traditional-looking patio, then the flagstone is the one to go for. The slabs can be cut uniformly or irregular, come in different colours and can be laid in different patterns. All of these components can result in some fantastic designs that can be unique to your garden.
They are also non-slip when wet, so you don’t need to worry when walking or running around when it rains or if you have a water feature nearby.
One of the downsides of a flagstone patio is that typically the slabs that are laid are pretty heavy and can be challenging to work with. This can mean that it may take longer to lay your patio. If you also have an unusual design, this can also increase the time to completion.
The cost of flagstone patio slabs depends on the type you have chosen. You can find that these slabs start at £15 per m2 for the low-end slabs and reach £75 per m2 or higher.
Concrete Patio
A concrete patio is another option you could choose. Rather than having slabs, this patio is poured concrete which is laid in one unbroken surface. You will often see it in the common grey colour, but it is possible to have coloured concrete.
One of the benefits of a concrete patio is that it is low maintenance as there is nowhere for weeds to grow between cracks, and it can be easily cleaned.
If you think one slab of concrete is boring, you can get it stamped, engraved or textured to make it more of a standout feature in your garden.
One of the problems with a concrete patio is that it can be expensive and difficult to repair if it does crack, which isn’t likely. It can also be quite slippery when wet.
The cost of a concrete patio is between £30 and £40 per m2.
Raised Patio
A raised patio is used when your garden isn’t completely flat. It can help transition between different layers of your garden. Raised patios are normally positioned right outside your door and can have steps leading down into your garden.
A raised patio can come in different shapes, colours and sizes allowing for an array of designs. They don’t take much maintenance, making them easy to keep looking good.
One of the downfalls of a raised patio is that they take more work to construct compared to a flat patio so they can cost more.
The average cost per m2 for a raised patio is around £45.
Factors Affecting Cost
They are several things that need to be considered when you’re having a patio that could make a difference in cost.
Size
This has a direct impact on the cost of both materials and labour costs. The larger the patio, the more materials will be needed and the longer it will take to lay. If your patio is looking to be quite large, you might want to compromise on the type of slabs that you use.
Patio Slabs
Not all patio slabs are made the same. Some patio slabs can cost more than double that of your “standard” slabs due to the material they are made of.
Garden Levelling
If your garden is unlevel, then groundwork would be needed to make sure the area where the patio is being laid is flat. This can be hard work depending on how much dirt would need to be removed, resulting in more labour costs.
Drainage
If your garden can’t accommodate rainwater being drained into grass or a flower bed, then you may need a drainage solution installed to make sure that there isn’t a build-up of water. This would add more cost to materials and labour.
The Extras
At the pricier end of accounting for a patio are the extras, which might include:
Lighting – £150 average
Heating – £240 average
Furniture – £50 to £2,500
Cost of Removing an Old Patio
If you have an old patio that needs removing, this is something that you could do yourself or the company that is laying the new patio could do it for you.
The cost of the removal of the old patio would include the time taken for its removal and the cost of disposal. The cost of this is between £100 and £200.
If you are looking to do it yourself then the only thing that you would need is to pay for skip hire. The cost of this depends on how much waste you would need to get rid of.
Having a patio can make a big difference to the look and feel of your garden. It can help turn a space into a low maintenance, versatile area to put garden furniture or a BBQ and enjoy your garden more.
