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.
Cost is usually the first question about a new patio, so here is the guide for Northern Ireland: £2,200–£4,700 including VAT. We cover the whole of County Armagh, with Craigavon, Portadown and Armagh among the main centres. Because each UK nation sets its own rules, we check the requirements in Northern Ireland for your property, then put a firm price on paper following a free survey.
- Guide price
- £2,200–£4,700 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- Northern Ireland
- Price level
- About 14% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 3
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Patios and paving prices in County Armagh
In County Armagh, 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 County Armagh |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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’s included?
- Survey of levels, damp-proof course, drainage and access
- 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
- Edging and neat cuts around drains and walls
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
Homes in County Armagh
Armagh city has Georgian buildings, many in local limestone, around its historic centre. Portadown and Lurgan, linked by the Craigavon plan of the 1960s, have Victorian terraces, post-war estates and newer developments. The countryside is dotted with detached rural houses and bungalows, often finished in roughcast or render.
Rural bungalows and detached homes commonly take extensions, loft rooms, driveways and fencing. Terraces suit rear extensions and window replacement, and rendered houses often need re-rendering or painting.
A moderate inland climate with frequent rain and winter frost, and low ground near Lough Neagh can be wet.
Planning and building rules in County Armagh
As County Armagh is in Northern Ireland, read the following with that system of planning and building control in mind. We check what applies to your house with the council before you receive a quote.
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?
Survey and measure
First, someone visits your home in County Armagh 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.
Quote in writing
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.
Dates and permissions
Before anyone starts, we confirm the programme in writing, check whether consents are required and arrange deliveries. If a skip or scaffolding on the road needs a permit, we apply for it.
Build and hand over
During the work we protect the areas around it and tidy up at the end of each day. Once complete, we check the finish, remove our materials and hand over paperwork such as building control sign-off where it applies.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean and look after my patio?
Most patios just need regular sweeping and an occasional wash with water and a mild patio cleaner. Porcelain is the easiest to keep clean. Natural stone benefits from a sealant to reduce staining and from prompt cleaning of spills like oil or wine. Re-point any joints that crack or wash out. Avoid high-pressure jet washing close to joints, which can damage them.
Is the price fixed?
Yes, for the specification we agree. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included at a fixed price. It only changes if you ask for something different, or if a problem the survey could not reasonably reveal later needs extra work. In either case we explain the change and confirm it in writing before going ahead.
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.
Do you cover Craigavon, Portadown and Armagh?
Yes. As well as County Armagh, we cover Craigavon, Portadown and Armagh and the rest of County Armagh. 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.
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.
Towns in County Armagh
Looking for a new patio somewhere in County Armagh? Start with the towns below; each links to a page with pricing for your region and coverage details.