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.
Whether you live in one of the larger towns, such as Luton, Bedford, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, or somewhere quieter in Bedfordshire, the way we handle a new patio is identical. We survey, agree the specification with you, and confirm a fixed price on paper. Everything is planned under the regulations in force in England, and guide costs in the East of England sit at £2,600–£5,800 with VAT.
- Guide price
- £2,600–£5,800 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 5% above the national guide
- Towns listed
- 6
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new patio cost in Bedfordshire?
Below is a breakdown of typical costs for a new patio in Bedfordshire. Because rates in the East of England are about 5% above the national guide, the overall guide comes to £2,600–£5,800, including VAT. Size, materials and access move the figure, and a free-of-charge survey settles it.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Bedfordshire |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £1,050–£2,600 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,600–£5,800 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £5,800–£12,500 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Patio area and the amount of excavation
- Ground levels, slopes, steps and retaining walls
- Drainage needed to keep water away from the house
- Access for materials and removing spoil
What do you get?
- Excavation and removal of turf, soil or old paving
- Compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base
- Slabs laid on a full mortar bed with falls away from the house
- 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 Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire has a long brick-making history, and brick dominates: Victorian terraces in Bedford and Luton, interwar semis, large post-war estates around Luton and Dunstable, and newer developments near Bedford and Biggleswade. Villages in the north of the county keep limestone cottages, with timber framing and thatch scattered across older settlements.
Terraced houses here often benefit from rear extensions, loft rooms and repointing. Interwar and post-war semis commonly suit kitchen extensions, porches and garage conversions, while older village properties may call for lime plastering and sympathetic window replacements.
Bedfordshire is relatively dry, and its clay soils can shrink in long, dry summers, so foundation depth and nearby trees matter for extensions.
Do you need permission in Bedfordshire?
Each UK nation sets its own consent rules, and Bedfordshire is in England. What follows is a plain summary; we check the specifics for your property with the council before pricing anything.
A ground-level patio in a back garden does not usually need planning permission in England. Raised decks or platforms more than 30 cm high do.
Building Regulations do not normally apply to patios, but levels must stay below the damp-proof course and drain away from the house.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
How does the job run?
A visit to your home
First, someone visits your home in Bedfordshire 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.
Written quote
Next you receive a written quote with a fixed price for the agreed specification. It lists what is included, what is not, and how payments are staged, so you can compare it properly.
Getting ready
Next comes planning the work itself. We set a start date that suits you, line up the right trades, and make sure any approvals for a new patio are in place before the first day on site.
Finish and handover
Our trades complete a new patio while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
What you can expect from us
Questions about a new patio in Bedfordshire
How much does a new patio cost?
A typical 20m² patio in sandstone or porcelain costs £2,600–£5,800, including excavation, sub-base, laying and jointing. As a guide, allow roughly £100–£220 per square metre plus fixed costs for set-up and waste. Concrete slabs cost less, while slate, granite and large-format porcelain cost more. Steps, walls and drainage add to the total. We confirm a fixed price after the survey.
What should I do before the work starts?
Before work starts, clear garden furniture, pots and ornaments from the area and agree where materials will be delivered and stored. We need a route for wheelbarrows and, on larger jobs, a small digger, so let us know about side gates, narrow passages or access through the house. Tell us about any known drains, cables or pipes in the area.
Do you cover Luton, Bedford and Dunstable?
Yes. As well as Bedfordshire, we cover Luton, Bedford and Dunstable and the rest of Bedfordshire. Our coverage is UK-wide, so the process is the same wherever you are: a free site survey, a quote in writing that fixes the price for the agreed scope, and one point of contact while the work is planned and carried out.
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 will a new patio take?
On a typical home, allow 3–7 days on site. Larger projects, older buildings and extra work found once things are opened up can extend that, while simpler jobs may be shorter. Your quote includes an estimate of time on site, and your point of contact keeps you updated on the programme as the work progresses.
Towns in Bedfordshire
Looking for a new patio somewhere in Bedfordshire? Start with the towns below; each links to a page with pricing for your region and coverage details.