We all love watching garden makeover programmes on TV, but they cause a lot of confusion about pricing. You’ll hear that paving slabs cost £30–40 per m², but what they don’t tell you is that the main cost is what goes underneath the slab. That’s what decides whether your patio or deck lasts.
Typical prices
- 10m² porcelain paving: around £1,800
- 10m² timber decking: around £1,700
- 10m² composite decking: around £2,200
These prices assume a standard sub-base. Where there’s little or no dig-out needed, the standard price applies. If the ground needs extra work, such as a deeper dig-out, removing old surfaces or dealing with slopes, the price will rise slightly. We’ll always confirm this in your quote. Every garden is different, so get in touch for an accurate price.
What goes into a properly laid patio
- Dig-out. We dig out enough earth, usually around 50mm, to reach the correct level, and wheelbarrow it to a skip on your drive.
- Sub-base. We add 50–100mm of hardcore, again usually wheelbarrowed in from the front, to give a solid base that stops movement over the years.
- Full mortar bed. Every slab is laid on a FULL bed of mortar. We never use the “five-dab” technique, which should never be used. One typical 60x90cm slab needs a full load from the cement mixer: 18 shovels of sand and 3–4 shovels of cement.
- Resin grout joints. We prefer Titan resin grout for a neat, hard-wearing finish.
A typical 20m² patio needs:
- 2 tonnes of hardcore
- 2 tonnes of sand
- 25 bags of cement
- 36 paving slabs (1 crate)
- 36 full loads from the cement mixer
Decking: what’s included
Our decking prices include preparing the ground, a level, well-supported sub-frame, weed membrane, and a neat finish with the screws lined up in straight rows. Composite costs more than timber up front but needs far less maintenance. See our decking page for more.
Using your own materials
We’re happy to fit materials you’ve sourced yourself. We’ll just price for the labour and any sub-base materials needed.
Get a quote
Get in touch for a quote, or read about how we work. We’re based in Stone and work within about 10 miles, including Stafford, Trentham, Eccleshall and Barlaston.