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 Seaford home and give you a price in writing. Homes in the South East typically come in at £2,800–£6,200, VAT included, for this kind of work. We also cover Peacehaven, Rottingdean and Eastbourne, and the same steps apply wherever you are in East Sussex.
- Guide price
- £2,800–£6,200 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- BN25
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- East Sussex
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new patio cost in Seaford?
No two jobs cost exactly the same, but the ranges below give a fair picture of a new patio in Seaford. Pricing for the South East runs about 12% above the national guide, and the overall guide is £2,800–£6,200 with VAT included. We'll confirm your figure after surveying the property for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Seaford |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £1,100–£2,800 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,800–£6,200 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £6,200–£13,500 |
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
- 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
- Edging and neat cuts around drains and walls
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
Building in Seaford
Brighton and Hove are known for Regency stucco terraces and bow-fronted houses, alongside Victorian terraces climbing the hills. Lewes and Brighton have mathematical tiles and flint walls, Eastbourne has large Victorian and Edwardian villas, and Wealden villages use tile-hanging, weatherboarding and timber frames. Interwar suburbs and newer estates fill out most towns.
Regency and Victorian houses often need sash-style windows, stucco or render repair and careful decorating. Hillside terraces suit loft conversions, and flint or brick walls commonly need repointing in lime mortar.
So when we survey a Seaford property for a new patio, the first step is working out how it was built and what has been changed since.
Planning and building rules in Seaford
Because Seaford falls under England's rules, the guidance below is the version relevant to you. Before sending a price, we check your property's position with the council.
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
We look at the job
First, someone visits your home in Seaford 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
After the survey we send a quote for a new patio that fixes the price for the scope we've agreed. If you want to change materials or scope, we revise it in writing before anything is booked.
Getting ready
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
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 Seaford: questions
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.
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.
Can you combine a new patio with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan a new patio alongside other work on your Seaford home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
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.
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.
Near Seaford
We survey and quote throughout Seaford's BN25 postcodes and in surrounding places such as Peacehaven, Rottingdean and Eastbourne. The process and pricing approach are identical in each of them.