Patios have always been a mainstay of British gardens. A solid patio adds so much value to a garden space. It creates a space for the family to hang out, barbecue and enjoy the outdoors. It increases the aesthetic and market value of the property.
Simply put, there are lots of benefits. It’s just a matter of money. On the high end, patios cost as much as £10,000. So, this is a pretty big investment. You are right to want to know more before pulling the trigger.
We created this article to help out. It will tell you how much patios cost. Actually, it will show you more than that, but let’s start with the big question.
How Much Does the Average Patio Cost?
The average patio costs £95-£160 per square metre. Prices depend on factors like the condition of the site, patio material, size and design complexity.
However, these estimates should cover the supply and labour costs of excavating the site, building the subbase, installing edging, laying the patio and removing waste. Here is a table showing the average cost of building patios with five common patio materials.
| Patio Material | Patio material cost per square metre | Patio installation cost per square metre (Supplies and labour) | The cost of installing a patio of 20 square metres |
| Concrete | £20-£40 | £95-£190 | £1,900-£3,800 |
| Composite | £25-£50 | £100-£200 | £2,000-£4,000 |
| Brick | £30-£80 | £105-£230 | £2,100-£4,600 |
| Porcelain tiles | £50-£80 | £125-£240 | £2,500-£4,800 |
| Natural stone | £50-£90 | £125-£250 | £2,500-£5,000 |
Factors Influencing Patio Costs
Here are the factors that determine patio installation costs.
The condition of the site
Patios need a solid subbase. The installer has to prepare the site for that subbase. This involves a lot of groundwork, depending on the condition of the site. The installer will inspect the area for pipes and cables. Then, they will excavate to a desired depth and dimension.
They may also have to stabilise and level the soil. Once again, the condition of the site determines the scale of the necessary groundwork. Either way, this affects patio installation costs.
Patio Size
Size also affects patio costs. A bigger patio will cost more than a smaller one. Think about this when deciding how big your patio should be.
Here is an easy way to determine how much a patio costs. Multiply patio size by the cost per square metre of your ideal patio material. As an example, let’s assume you want to build a concrete patio of 25 square metres. That patio will cost £95 to £190 × 25 square metres. That’s £2,375 to £4,750.
Choice of patio material
The patio material is the most important item in this project. Therefore, it’s only normal for it to influence the patio installation price. Concrete is the cheapest patio material, while natural stone is the most expensive.
However, money is not the only factor to consider when choosing a patio material. You also have to think about durability, aesthetic appeal, taste and maintenance needs. So, don’t make a choice just yet. Wait until we discuss these patio materials in more detail.
Design and layout complexity
Between a rectangular and a complexly-shaped patio, which do you think is more expensive? We can both agree that the complexly-shaped patio will be more expensive.
Design complexity affects both supply and labour costs. Therefore, it will affect patio costs. A complex patio design takes longer to build. It will also require skilled labour. All these will lead to higher patio installation costs.
Location and installer
These two also affect patio costs. Big cities usually have a higher standard of living. Therefore, expect relatively higher patio prices compared to rural areas.
As for how your installer affects patio installation costs, it’s usually about individual installers versus companies. The latter almost always charges higher.
Additional Patio Features and Upgrades
Aside from the actual patio cost, there are other expenses you should prepare for. They involve features and upgrades you can add to increase the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your patio.
Edging and borders
Our estimates already include the cost of patio edging and borders. They account for about 4%-5% of patio costs. However, these are just basic edgings that contractors include in their installation package.
There will be optional upgrades. So, you can find another edging that better suits your style and taste. Obviously, this will affect your budget. A higher quality edging will cost more. Some patio edgings cost up to £15 per square metre.
Lighting
If you want to enjoy late evenings on your patio, you need lights. Patio lights must provide three functions, namely illumination, security and aesthetic appeal. There are more than enough products on the market that can do all of this.
Options include wall brackets, string lights, fire pits and more. Remember to consider how lighting choices will affect patio costs and energy bills.
Patio lighting can set you back by £50-£300. Do some research before making a decision. You can start online or at a local store. You can also ask your patio installer for recommendations.
Patio furniture
Here is another feature that’s essential for getting premium value out of your patio. It’s also an opportunity to make your patio unique. Use furniture choices to make your patio truly unique. For example, you can go for highly stylised and non-traditional patio furniture. However, this is just an idea.
The only factors that should influence your choice of patio furniture are budget, taste and your intentions for the patio. Durability is also important. A patio furniture must be able to withstand rain, snow and sunshine. You can also build a pergola for shade and protection. Patio furniture costs around £50-£1,000.
Drainage
Proper drainage ensures the longevity of your patio and nearby structures. Without drainage, water could accumulate on the patio, making the surface slippery and allowing mould and algae to flourish. With time, there might also be structural damage.
The most cost-effective option is to integrate the patio into a nearby drain. You can also build a soakaway. Your patio installer will make recommendations and help install the drainage system. So, there is nothing to worry about. Just expect this to increase patio costs.
Patio Cost Breakdown by Material
Even though the average is £95-£160, patios actually cost £95-£250 per square metre. Around £20-£90 is spent on the patio material itself. £40-£80 per square metre goes to other supplies and equipment. Labour accounts for the remaining £35-£70 per square metre.
Here is a full breakdown.
- Excavation: £9-£17 per square metre
- Subbase: £23-£45 per square metre
- Patio material: £20-£90 per square metre
- Edging: £4-£9 per square metre
- Waste disposal: £5-£10 per square metre
- Labour: £35-£70 per square metre
Let’s get more specific. Here is how much it costs to build a garden room with concrete, composite decking, brick, porcelain or natural stone.
How much does a concrete patio cost?
A concrete patio costs £95-£190 per square metre. This adds up to £1,900-£3,800 for a patio of 20 square metres. Concrete patio material alone costs £20-£40 per square metre.
How much does a composite decking patio cost?
A composite decking patio costs £100-£200 per square metre. This adds up to £2,000-£4,000 for a patio of 20 square metres. Composite decking material alone costs £25-£50 per square metre.
How much does a brick patio cost?
A brick patio costs £105-£230 per square metre. This equals £2,100-£4,600 for a patio of 20 square metres. Brick alone costs £30-£80 per square metre.
How much does a porcelain patio cost?
A porcelain patio costs £125-£240 per square metre. This adds up to £2,500-£4,800 for a patio of 20 square metres. Porcelain patio material costs £50-£80 per square metre.
How much does a natural stone patio cost?
A natural stone patio costs £125-£250 per square metre. This adds up to £2,500-£5,000 for a patio of 20 square metres. Natural stone patio material costs £50-£90 per square metre.
Patio Materials
All patio materials have advantages and disadvantages. This section will help you make the right choice. Even if you already have a patio material in mind, you will still find this useful.
Concrete Patio
Concrete patios are cost-efficient. They are cheap, durable and easy to install. They aren’t as aesthetically appealing as the other patio materials on this list. However, you can improve aesthetics by using pavers, imprinted concrete or coloured concrete.
Pros
- Low patio costs
- Durable
- Easy to customise
- Easy to install
Cons
- Low aesthetic appeal
- Tends to crack
Composite decking patio
Composite decking is made by combining wood fibre and plastic. This material is a great way to get the appeal of real wood without breaking the bank. It’s also more durable and easier to maintain than real wood.
Pros
- Get the aesthetics of wood for cheap
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Variety of colours
- Environmental friendly
Cons
- Susceptible to algae and mould
- Tends to fade
- Tends to wrap
Brick patio
Brick patios are stylish, classy and eye-catching. They are also tough. A brick patio won’t scratch or wrap. It won’t easily deteriorate in British weather.
Pros
- Classy aesthetics
- Low maintenance
- Durable
- Easy to repair
Cons
- Difficult to install
- Prone to weed growth
- Prone to frost-heaving
- Needs sealing regularly
Porcelain patio
If you love sleek, contemporary aesthetics, you will love installing a porcelain patio. Just remember that porcelain becomes slippery and wet. Aside from this, there is a lot to like. A porcelain patio is low maintenance, striking, durable and fade-resistant.
Pros
- Contemporary aesthetics
- Low maintenance
- Easy to clean
- Fade-resistant and durable
Cons
- Slippery when wet
- Difficult to install
- Expensive
Natural stone patio
Examples of natural stone that can be used for patios include sandstone, granite, slate and limestone. They all have a timeless appeal that can make your patio the envy of neighbours.
Pros
- Timeless appeal
- Weather resistant
- Unrivalled naturalistic aesthetics
- Durable
Cons
- High maintenance
- Tends to stain
- High installation cost
What’s the Labour Cost of Installing a Patio?
The labour cost of installing a patio is £35 – £70 per square metre. Please note that this is just an estimate, although it’s based on years of industry experience. Plus, patio installers, usually a landscaper, don’t charge like that.
Landscapers usually charge daily rates or flat fees for a project. The daily rate for professional patio installation is £150-£300 per day. Most times, the landscaper will also have an assistant who earns £80-£100 per day. Working together, it takes them 2-4 days to build a patio.
DIY vs. Professional Patio Installation
DIY-ing has always been a great way to save money. By installing the patio yourself, you won’t have to pay £35-£70 per square metre for labour. As a result, your new patio will cost 27%-40% less than it should.
However, you should still consider hiring a professional, especially if you don’t have enough DIY experience. A professional contractor can guarantee that the patio will be installed properly. Quality is assured. You also won’t have to worry about mistakes that could end up making the patio a lot more expensive than it should be.
Patio Installation Cost-Saving Tips and Considerations
Here are some ways to reduce patio installation costs while still using a professional contractor for the project.
Doing some tasks yourself
You can excavate the site and handle waste disposal yourself. Neither of these two tasks requires specialised skills.
Choose a budget-friendly patio material
Use a budget-friendly patio material like concrete. It’s a lot cheaper than the others. Concrete may not have the visual appeal of more expensive patio materials, but there are ways to improve aesthetics.
Choose a budget-friendly patio design
Complex designs cost more because they use up more supplies and often require highly skilled labour. Besides, who says Budget-friendly patio designs can’t take your breath away?
Try to find good rates
With patience, smart budgeting, haggling and research, you can find better rates for almost anything. So, get multiple quotes and try not to overpay for materials and labour.
Summary
Patio installation costs £95-£160 per square metre on average. However, it’s not strange to find patios that cost up to £250 per square metre. Some even cost less than £95 per square metre.
It all depends on patio size, building material, design complexity, the condition of the site and your location. Additional features and upgrades will also matter. However, there are ways to reduce patio installation costs. Just don’t compromise on patio quality and design while trying to save money.
Speaking of patio quality and design, did we mention the importance of hiring a qualified and reputable contractor? That’s the most crucial part, more so than money and everything we’ve discussed so far.
