UK cost guide

Patio Cost UK

Typical UK patio laying costs by area, material, ground preparation and labour.

Last reviewed: 1 September 2026 · Sources & data · Methodology

Typical planning costAround £130 per m² for a typical project
Broader project range£65–£475 per m² by material
Planning figures are estimates rather than quotations. Live calculators combine dated UK benchmarks with clearly separated modelling assumptions such as region, size, condition and specification.

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What affects the cost?

Patio costs vary widely with paving material, layout, excavation, sub-base work, drainage, waste removal and local labour pricing.

  • Patio area
  • Paving material
  • Pattern complexity
  • Ground preparation
  • Drainage and access
  • Waste removal

Typical cost breakdown

Paving materials35–55%
Labour25–40%
Ground preparation10–30%
Waste & contingency5–15%

Regional planning examples

The examples below apply our published modelling factor to the same national benchmark. They are not claimed as observed city-wide average quotes.

London£80–£610 / m²
Manchester£60–£450 / m²
Birmingham£60–£470 / m²
Glasgow£60–£450 / m²
Cardiff£60–£430 / m²

Sources used for this guide

Checkatrade

Patio Laying: Cost Breakdown 2026

Published / checked: 2026

Used for: Patio cost-per-m², ground preparation and labour benchmarks

View source ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 25 m² patio cost?

Using a common planning benchmark of around £130 per m², a 25 m² patio is roughly £3,250 before unusual ground preparation.

How much is ground preparation?

Current guides suggest around £40 per m² can be a useful planning allowance where substantial preparation is required.

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