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.
Whatever prompted you to look into a new patio, whether wear and tear, a growing family or plans to move, we can survey your Newtownabbey home and give you a price in writing. Homes in Northern Ireland typically come in at £2,200–£4,700, VAT included, for this kind of work. We also cover Belfast, Carrickfergus and Castlereagh, and the same steps apply wherever you are in County Antrim.
- Guide price
- £2,200–£4,700 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- BT36 and BT37
- Planning rules
- Northern Ireland
- Local area
- County Antrim
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new patio in Newtownabbey?
In Newtownabbey, guide figures for a new patio sit at £2,200–£4,700, VAT included. We set them using rates for Northern Ireland, currently about 14% below the national guide. The table shows what pushes a project towards either end of the range; your own price is set after a free survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Newtownabbey |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £850–£2,200 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,200–£4,700 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £4,700–£10,500 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- Slab material, size and laying pattern
- Ground levels, slopes, steps and retaining walls
- Drainage needed to keep water away from the house
- Access for materials and removing spoil
What’s included?
- 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
- Primer on porcelain slabs for a strong bond
- Jointing with mortar or a brush-in compound
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
Homes in County Antrim
Belfast has long rows of red-brick Victorian terraces, Edwardian villas in the north and south of the city and large post-war estates, while towns such as Ballymena, Antrim, Larne and Carrickfergus mix terraces, semis and newer developments. Dark basalt appears in older rural buildings, and pebbledash or roughcast is a very common finish.
The north coast and glens are exposed to strong winds, salt and frequent rain, which affects render, roofline and outdoor work.
Knowing the typical building types in County Antrim helps, but a survey of your own home in Newtownabbey is what decides the right approach to a new patio.
Permissions for a new patio in Newtownabbey
For anyone in Newtownabbey, the relevant framework is Northern Ireland's. The summary below is general, so we always contact the council about your address before putting a price in writing.
A ground-level patio does not usually need planning permission in Northern Ireland; raised platforms are more restricted.
Building control approval 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.
How does the job run?
A visit to your home
We arrange a free site survey on a date convenient to you. We measure up, look at the existing structure and access, and discuss your plans for a new patio so the price reflects your home.
Price and scope agreed
The quote arrives in writing, not over the phone. It covers the full scope, the finishes you've chosen, any exclusions and the payment schedule, with a fixed price tied to that specification.
Dates and permissions
We handle the paperwork side: checking whether planning permission or building control approval is needed, submitting applications where they are, and scheduling the trades and materials around your dates.
Finish and handover
On site, the agreed plan is followed and any change is put in writing first. At completion we do a final clean, go through the snagging list with you and leave you with the relevant documents.
How we work
Common questions
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.
How do you make sure water drains away from the house?
A patio needs a gentle fall, usually a little over 1 in 80, so rainwater runs away from the house towards the garden, a drain or a soakaway. The surface should also sit well below the damp-proof course. If the patio meets a door threshold, a channel drain may be needed. We set levels with string lines and check falls as we lay each section.
How much will a new patio cost in Newtownabbey?
As a guide, expect to pay £2,200–£4,700 including VAT for a new patio in Newtownabbey. That range is adjusted for Northern Ireland, which runs about 14% below the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
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.
How much does a new patio cost?
A typical 20m² patio in sandstone or porcelain costs £2,200–£4,700, 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.
Also covering areas around Newtownabbey
We cover every part of Newtownabbey, including BT36 and BT37, and nearby Belfast, Carrickfergus and Castlereagh. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.