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.
If you live in Durham and are weighing up a new patio, the starting point is a visit to measure up and talk through what you want, which costs nothing. We cover homes across DH1, and a typical project of this kind in the North East lands somewhere in the £2,200–£5,000 bracket, including VAT. The exact figure depends on size, access and the finish you choose.
- Guide price
- £2,200–£5,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- DH1
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- County Durham
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new patio cost in Durham?
What should you budget for a new patio in Durham? Use the figures below as a starting point. Prices in the North East sit about 10% below the national guide, so the range here is £2,200–£5,000 including VAT. Your fixed price comes in writing once we've surveyed the property, at no charge.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in 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
- 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
Building in 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.
Winters are cold and the upland dales see snow and strong winds; former coal workings mean ground checks can be needed before building extensions.
If your house in Durham fits one of these patterns, it helps us anticipate what a new patio will involve, though we always confirm the details on site.
Planning and building rules in Durham
For anyone in 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
Free site survey
First, someone visits your home in 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.
Quote in writing
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.
Getting ready
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.
The work itself
The job proceeds in the order set out in the programme, with dust and debris kept under control. Finally we tidy away, inspect the work together and pass the finished project over to you with its paperwork.
Why homeowners choose us
Patios and paving in Durham: questions
How much does a new patio cost?
A typical 20m² patio in sandstone or porcelain costs £2,200–£5,000, 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.
Who do I deal with during the job?
One point of contact manages your project from survey to handover. They schedule the trades working under our contract, keep you updated on progress, and are the person to call with any question. You don't need to coordinate builders, electricians or decorators separately, because that is part of what we do.
Which postcodes in Durham do you cover?
We cover DH1, along with the rest of County Durham. If your postcode is not listed, get in touch anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, and we can usually arrange a survey wherever you live. Enter your postcode in the guide-price tool or contact form and we will confirm.
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.
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.
Also covering areas around Durham
Addresses in DH1 are all covered for Durham, along with Chester-le-Street, Houghton-Le-Spring and Stanley close by. Give us your postcode when you get in touch and we will confirm the details.