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 the North East: £2,200–£5,000 including VAT. We cover the whole of County Durham, with Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and Durham among the main centres. Because each UK nation sets its own rules, we check the requirements in England for your property, then put a firm price on paper following a free survey.
- Guide price
- £2,200–£5,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 10% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 12
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new patio cost in County Durham?
The table below shows guide prices for a new patio in County Durham. They are based on rates in the North East, which run about 10% below the national guide, giving an overall range of £2,200–£5,000. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in County Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £900–£2,200 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,200–£5,000 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £5,000–£11,000 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Patio area and the amount of excavation
- Slab material, size and laying pattern
- Ground levels, slopes, steps and retaining walls
- Access for materials and removing spoil
Scope of the work
- 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
Housing across County Durham
Colliery villages across County Durham are lined with brick and stone terraces, many built for mining families. Durham City has Georgian and Victorian streets, Darlington has Victorian terraces and villas, and Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe were planned as post-war new towns. Dales farmhouses in Weardale and Teesdale are stone, often under stone or slate roofs.
Colliery terraces commonly suit loft rooms, rear extensions and window replacement, and many need repointing. New-town homes often benefit from rendering or cladding upgrades and roofline renewal, while stone farmhouses may need lime work.
Winters are cold and the upland dales see snow and strong winds; former coal workings mean ground checks can be needed before building extensions.
Do you need permission in County Durham?
For anyone in County Durham, the relevant framework is England'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 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.
From survey to handover
Survey and measure
First, someone visits your home in County Durham 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.
Your fixed price
We turn the survey notes into a written quote. The price is fixed for the specification we agree, and the document sets out materials, scope and payment stages in plain language.
Plan and prepare
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.
On site to finish
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.
How we work
Questions about a new patio in County Durham
What happens if my garden slopes?
A sloping garden can still have a level patio by cutting into the slope, building up with retaining walls, or creating terraces with steps between them. Retaining walls must be built to hold back the soil and allow drainage behind them. This adds cost but creates usable, level space. We look at the slope during the survey and suggest the most practical design.
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.
Do you cover Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees?
Yes. As well as County Durham, we cover Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees and the rest of County Durham. 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.
What happens at the survey?
We visit your home at a time that suits you, look at the area involved, take measurements and check access, condition and any services that might be affected. We talk through what you want from a new patio, explain the options and answer questions. There is no charge and no obligation; afterwards we send a written quote.
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.
Towns in County Durham
Our coverage for a new patio in County Durham includes the towns listed here. Each page explains guide costs, typical timings and the neighbouring places we also serve.