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.
We offer a new patio throughout Dorset, from Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth and Christchurch to the smaller places in between. Each project starts with a free survey at your home and ends with a written figure, fixed for the work you choose. Because Dorset is in England, we work to the planning system and building standards used there, and guide prices for the South West run at £2,600–£5,600 including VAT.
- Guide price
- £2,600–£5,600 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 2% above the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Patios and paving prices in Dorset
What should you budget for a new patio in Dorset? Use the figures below as a starting point. Prices in the South West sit about 2% above the national guide, so the range here is £2,600–£5,600 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 Dorset |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £1,000–£2,600 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,600–£5,600 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £5,600–£12,000 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Patio area and the amount of excavation
- Slab material, size and laying pattern
- Ground levels, slopes, steps and retaining walls
- Drainage needed to keep water away from the house
What’s included?
- Survey of levels, damp-proof course, drainage and access
- Excavation and removal of turf, soil or old paving
- Primer on porcelain slabs for a strong bond
- 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 Dorset
Dorset's older villages use Purbeck and Portland stone, chalk and flint, and thatch on cob or brick cottages. Bournemouth and Poole have Victorian and Edwardian villas, large interwar suburbs and plenty of bungalows and flats, while Weymouth, Dorchester and Bridport mix Georgian and Victorian streets with newer estates.
Stone and thatched cottages may need lime repairs and conservation-area window choices. Bungalows around Bournemouth and Poole commonly suit loft conversions, and coastal homes often need roofline, rendering and window renewal.
Salt spray and south-westerly winds affect coastal homes, so external finishes and fixings need to cope with marine exposure.
Planning and building rules in Dorset
Planning law differs across the UK. For a home in Dorset, it is the England rules below that count, and we check them with the council ahead of any quote.
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.
The four stages
We look at the job
First, someone visits your home in Dorset 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.
Price and scope agreed
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.
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.
On site to finish
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.
What you can expect from us
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.
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.
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 Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth?
Yes. As well as Dorset, we cover Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth and the rest of Dorset. 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.
Which postcodes in Dorset do you cover?
We cover BH1, BH14, DT3 and BH5, along with the rest of Dorset. 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.
Towns in Dorset
Below is our list of Dorset towns for a new patio. If yours isn't shown, we may still cover it, so it is worth asking us directly.