A patio is a paved outdoor area next to the house or in the garden, laid in porcelain, natural stone or concrete slabs on a compacted sub-base and mortar bed, with falls that direct rainwater away from the house.
Our guide for a new patio in Scotland comes to £2,400–£5,300 with VAT added, and that range applies across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, including Aberdeen, Peterhead, Nigg and Inverurie. Your own price depends on the size of the job, the specification and how easy it is to work on the site. We survey for free, check any consents needed under the rules in Scotland, and then put the price in writing.
- Guide price
- £2,400–£5,300 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Price level
- About 4% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new patio cost in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?
Budgeting for a new patio in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire? The numbers below include VAT and are adjusted for Scotland, where costs are about 4% below the national guide. The headline range is £2,400–£5,300. Nothing is final until we have measured up at a free survey and agreed the specification with you.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £950–£2,400 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,400–£5,300 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £5,300–£11,500 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Patio area and the amount of excavation
- Slab material, size and laying pattern
- Drainage needed to keep water away from the house
- Access for materials and removing spoil
What do you get?
- Survey of levels, damp-proof course, drainage and access
- Compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base
- Primer on porcelain slabs for a strong bond
- Jointing with mortar or a brush-in compound
- Edging and neat cuts around drains and walls
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
Homes in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Aberdeen is built largely of grey granite, from tenements and terraces to granite villas in the West End, with post-war council housing and newer estates on the outskirts. Across Aberdeenshire, harled stone cottages, fishing-town terraces in Peterhead and Fraserburgh, and modern developments in commuter towns such as Westhill and Ellon are common.
Granite walls need repointing with a mortar matched to the stone, and slate roofs often want attention after hard winters. Harled cottages need breathable finishes, while newer estates commonly add extensions, garage conversions and driveways.
Cold North Sea winds, coastal haar and hard winter frosts are routine, so roofs, harling and exposed fixings need a robust specification.
Do you need permission in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?
Planning law differs across the UK. For a home in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, it is the Scotland rules below that count, and we check them with the council ahead of any quote.
A ground-level patio does not usually need planning permission in Scotland; raised decking is limited in height under permitted development.
A building warrant is not normally needed for a patio.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
The four stages
A visit to your home
First, someone visits your home in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to see the space, take measurements and note anything that could affect the work, such as access or the condition of what is there. There is no charge for this visit.
Price and scope agreed
We put everything into a written, fixed-price quote: the specification, what's excluded, staged payments and the expected time on site. Take whatever time you need to decide; there's no pressure to commit.
Dates and permissions
With the quote agreed, we book the work in and handle preparation: permissions where needed, building control notifications, material orders and access arrangements for your Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire property.
Build and hand over
Work goes ahead as scheduled and you deal with one contact throughout. When the last trade leaves, we clear and clean the site, talk you through what has been done and pass on any certificates and care instructions.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay at home during the work?
In most cases, yes. Most people can live at home throughout, and we plan the work to keep disruption down by protecting floors, agreeing working hours and keeping access routes clear. Bigger jobs affecting kitchens, bathrooms or heating may mean a short spell with reduced facilities, and we talk this through with you at the survey.
Does a patio need planning permission?
Most patios do not need planning permission, but it depends on the size, height and location, your home's position, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you are in. Raised patios or decking more than a small height above the ground may need permission because of overlooking. We check the position for your garden before quoting.
How long does it take to lay a patio?
Laying a typical 20m² patio takes around three to five days, from excavation and sub-base to laying, jointing and cleaning. Larger or multi-level patios with steps and walls take longer. The mortar bed needs time to set, so light foot traffic is usually fine after a day or two and furniture can go on after about a week. We confirm timings with your quote.
Is porcelain or sandstone better for a patio?
Porcelain is dense, stain-resistant and stays looking clean with little care, making it a good choice if you want a modern, low-maintenance patio. Indian sandstone has natural colour variation and a softer, traditional look, and costs a little less, but it can stain and weather over time and benefits from sealing. Both make durable patios when properly laid. We bring samples to the survey.
Can you combine a new patio with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan a new patio alongside other work on your Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
Towns in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Our coverage for a new patio in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire includes the towns listed here. Each page explains guide costs, typical timings and the neighbouring places we also serve.