Thinking of swapping your muddy lawn for a stylish patio (and maybe eyeing up a garden room too)? Laying a patio in the UK costs £40–£100 per m², depending on materials and labour. Stick around, we’ll uncover sneaky costs, smart savings, and how to get more patio for your pound!
Whether you're revamping a cosy backyard or giving a country garden a full makeover, patio prices shift with size. Here's what most homeowners pay:
Small Patio (around 15m²): £900 – £2,000
Medium Patio (25m²): £1,500 – £3,500
Large Patio (40m²): £2,500 – £5,500+
If you're wondering how much does it cost to lay a patio per m² UK, expect to pay between £40 and £100 per m². The range comes down to your choice of materials and the complexity of the job.
Cheaper patios use concrete, while high-end ones feature stone or porcelain.
The materials you choose will shape the look, feel, and price of your patio. Let’s break it down:
If you're on a budget or asking, "what is the cheapest option for a patio?", concrete is your answer.
Cost: £30–£50 per m²
Great for large areas like a 12x12 concrete slab in the UK
Easy to install and requires little maintenance
Concrete is ideal for renters or those who want something clean and functional without breaking the bank.
Sandstone is one of the UK's go-to patio choices, and it hits the sweet spot between cost and style.
Cost: £50–£90 per m²
Adds colour and texture to any garden setting
Works beautifully with both traditional and modern designs
For something sleek and ultra-modern, porcelain is the choice.
Cost: £60–£100 per m²
Non-porous, easy to clean, frost-resistant
Pairs perfectly with contemporary garden rooms
Just remember, laying porcelain is fiddly, so labour costs go up too.
If you want a showstopper of a patio, natural stone delivers.
Cost: £80–£120+ per m²
Hardwearing, long-lasting, and visually stunning
Often used for luxury garden renovations or large entertaining spaces
Labour makes up a big slice of your budget. Here's what to expect when you're calculating how much to lay a patio labour only per square.
Typical daily rate: £250–£350
Concrete: £100–£150
Porcelain: £150–£200
Natural Stone: £180–£250
If you're wondering how much does it cost to lay paving slabs per square metre labour only in the UK, these figures give a solid guide.
London and the South East: Expect higher costs due to demand and living expenses
Northern England, Wales, and Scotland: Often more affordable labour
Rural areas: Lower prices, but fewer available professionals
Don't get caught off guard by extras that aren't on your quote.
Costs around £10–£20 per m² depending on soil type and site complexity
Sloped gardens or clay-heavy soil can raise this significantly
This is the foundation of your patio, and it matters.
Expect to pay £15–£25 per m² for hardcore, sand, and compaction
Skip hire ranges from £150–£300, based on size and region
More rubble = more skips = higher costs
Edging: £5–£15 per linear metre
Pointing (joint filling): £10–£20 per m²
Drainage solutions: Start from £200+
These small touches add up, so factor them in from day one.
Concrete slab example
Materials: £40 x 15 = £600
Labour: £100 x 15 = £1,500
Extras: £400
Total: ~£2,500
Sandstone example
Materials: £70 x 25 = £1,750
Labour: £130 x 25 = £3,250
Extras: £600
Total: ~£5,600
Porcelain slab example
Materials: £90 x 40 = £3,600
Labour: £180 x 40 = £7,200
Extras: £800
Total: ~£11,600
Going DIY can cut your costs in half. For example:
A basic 12x12 concrete slab patio could cost £500–£700 in materials only
No labour costs if you do it yourself
You keep full control over the schedule and process
But it's not always smooth sailing. DIY patios often face issues like:
Uneven surfaces
Poor drainage leading to puddles
The need to rent tools and machinery
And... back pain
Unless you're confident with groundwork and have spare weekends, hiring a pro is usually the smarter long-term investment.
Prices can differ wildly, even for the same job. Getting at least three quotes helps you:
Avoid overpriced estimates
See what’s really included
Gain negotiation power
Don’t just accept a price, ask questions like:
What’s included in the quote? (Waste removal? Drainage?)
How much does it cost to lay a patio per m²?
Do you offer a workmanship guarantee?
Can I see examples of similar projects?
Final tip: Plan carefully, budget smartly, and get clued up. That way, your new patio won't just be beautiful, it'll be bang on budget too.
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