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.
Homeowners in Cheltenham usually consider a new patio for one of a few reasons: something has worn out, the house no longer suits the way they live, or they are getting it ready to sell. We visit, agree a specification and put a fixed price in writing. Most jobs like this take 3–7 days on site, and we work across Gloucestershire, including Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Stroud.
- Guide price
- £2,600–£5,600 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- GL50, GL51 and GL53
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Gloucestershire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new patio cost in Cheltenham?
No two jobs cost exactly the same, but the ranges below give a fair picture of a new patio in Cheltenham. Pricing for the South West runs about 2% above the national guide, and the overall guide is £2,600–£5,600 with VAT included. We'll confirm your figure after surveying the property for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Cheltenham |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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
Scope of the work
- Survey of levels, damp-proof course, drainage and access
- Slabs laid on a full mortar bed with falls away from the house
- 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
What are homes like around Cheltenham?
Golden Cotswold limestone defines towns and villages such as Cirencester, Stow and Tetbury, often with stone-slate roofs. Cheltenham is known for Regency stucco terraces and villas, Gloucester has Victorian brick terraces and interwar estates, the Stroud valleys have mill-era stone cottages, and the Forest of Dean uses its own sandstone.
Cotswold stone homes often need lime pointing, stone repairs and windows that suit conservation areas. Regency houses may call for render and decorating, while brick terraces and estate homes suit loft rooms and extensions.
Whatever era your Cheltenham home dates from, we plan a new patio around how it is actually built rather than a one-size-fits-all specification.
Planning and building rules in Cheltenham
Each UK nation sets its own consent rules, and Cheltenham is in England. What follows is a plain summary; we check the specifics for your property with the council before pricing anything.
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
A visit to your home
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price a new patio properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Your fixed price
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for a new patio.
Plan and prepare
With the quote agreed, we book the work in and handle preparation: permissions where needed, building control notifications, material orders and access arrangements for your Cheltenham property.
Build and hand over
The work is carried out to the agreed specification, with floors and furniture protected and the site kept tidy. At the end we clean up, walk through the finished job with you and hand over any certificates.
How we work
Patios and paving in Cheltenham: questions
How much will a new patio cost in Cheltenham?
As a guide, expect to pay £2,600–£5,600 including VAT for a new patio in Cheltenham. That range is adjusted for the South West, which runs about 2% above the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
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.
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.
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.
Do you cover Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Stroud?
Yes. As well as Cheltenham, we cover Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Stroud and the rest of Gloucestershire. 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.
Also covering areas around Cheltenham
We cover every part of Cheltenham, including GL50, GL51 and GL53, and nearby Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Stroud. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.