Cost guide
How much do patios cost?
£1,200 is the average UK patio spend in 2026, roughly 15 square metres of sandstone. Rates run £60 to £120 per square metre all in, and London and the South East reach £2,400 to £2,600 on larger jobs against £2,000 to £2,200 in northern England.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your garden.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Concrete slabs, per square metre supplied | £20 to £55 |
| Indian sandstone, per square metre supplied | £40 to £55 |
| Porcelain, per square metre supplied | £50 to £100 |
| Excavation and sub-base, per square metre | £15 to £60 |
| 20 square metre sandstone patio, complete | £1,400 to £2,500 |
| 40 square metre porcelain patio, complete | £2,900 to £4,400 |
Muck-away and sub-base stone are the lines to look for in a quotation. A price that lists only slabs and labour leaves the sub-base depth and spoil removal unstated, so ask for both in writing.
What moves the price
- Slab material, from £20 per square metre concrete to £95 granite and York stone.
- Excavation and sub-base, charged at £15 to £60 per square metre depending on ground.
- Lifting the old patio, £18 to £50 per square metre plus disposal.
- Cutting, because circles, curves and mitred steps eat labour hours.
- Access, since every barrow of spoil wheeled through a house slows the job.
Who quotes for it
1066 of the 4,012 gardeners listed on this site take on patios.
Where most of them are: Leicester (22), Nottingham (22), Liverpool (22), Chelmsford (21), Birmingham (19).
Questions about patios
What does it cost to take up an old patio?
£250 to £500 for 10 square metres and £700 to £1,000 for 40. Rates per square metre fall as the area grows, since the machine and the skip are on site regardless. Old slabs and mortar count as construction waste, so whoever carts them off needs waste carrier registration.
How long does a patio take to lay?
Two days is the average for a straightforward 15 to 20 square metre terrace once the ground is open. Excavation and muck-away can add a day, more where access runs through the house. Jointing usually happens the day after laying, giving the bed time to set.