Paving and Patios

We lay porcelain patios, granite and natural stone paving, paths and block paving in Stone and the surrounding area, including Stafford, Trentham, Eccleshall, Barlaston and Hilderstone. The slabs are the part you see, but what goes underneath is what decides whether a patio stays flat and solid for years or starts rocking and sinking after a few winters.

Why our patios last

• We dig out to the correct level before anything else goes in.
• We lay a 50–100mm hardcore sub-base and compact it, to stop movement over the years.
• Every slab goes on a full bed of mortar. We never use the “five-dab” method, which leaves hollows under the slab where water collects and cracks can start.
• We finish the joints with resin grout. We prefer Titan resin grout for a neat, hard-wearing joint that resists weeds.

It takes more materials and more work. A typical 20m² patio needs around 2 tonnes of hardcore, 2 tonnes of sand, 25 bags of cement and 36 full loads from the cement mixer. We think it’s the only way to do it properly.

Materials we work with

• Porcelain paving is dense, hard-wearing, easy to clean and very consistent in colour. We source our porcelain and natural stone from Paving Stones Direct.
• Granite can be used for whole patios, contrasting borders or split-face walls.
• Block paving is ideal for paths, parking areas and driveway extensions.

Sand, cement and sub-base materials come from our local builders’ merchant in Stone. We’re also happy to lay paving you’ve sourced yourself.

Our paving work

See all our paving projects →

Thinking about a deck as well? Many gardens suit both, with a patio by the house and a deck further out. See our decking page.

Why choose Dig-in Landscaping?

• Over ten years’ landscaping experience, with a designer’s eye for detail
• Local to you. We’re based in Stone and work within about 10 miles, including Stafford, Trentham and south Stoke-on-Trent, Eccleshall, Barlaston, Hilderstone, Tittensor, Yarnfield and Swynnerton
• Public liability insurance on every job
• We put it right. If anything goes wrong because of our workmanship, we’ll come back and fix it
• Your materials or ours. We use trusted suppliers, or we can fit materials you’ve sourced yourself

Patio and paving FAQs

How much does a new patio cost?

As a guide, 10m² of porcelain paving is typically around £1,800, based on a standard sub-base. If the ground needs extra work, such as a deeper dig-out or removing an old surface, the price will rise slightly. We’ll always confirm this in your quote. See How much will it cost? for a full breakdown.

Is porcelain better than natural stone?

Porcelain absorbs very little water, so it resists staining, moss and frost damage and is easy to keep clean. Natural stone has more variation in colour and texture. Both can look superb when they’re laid properly.

Do I need planning permission for a patio?

A patio in your back garden doesn’t usually need planning permission. In a front garden in England, if you’re paving more than 5m², the surface generally needs to be permeable, or to drain onto a lawn or border, unless you get permission.

Get a paving quote

Get in touch to talk about your patio, path or parking area, or see how we work.