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 type of house you own in Portsmouth, we start by looking at how a new patio would fit it rather than offering a standard package. We cover PO1, PO2, PO3 and PO4 and neighbouring places such as Southsea, Gosport and Fareham. One named person looks after you from survey to handover, and nothing is booked until you hold our figure in writing, fixed for the work described.
- Guide price
- £2,800–£6,200 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4 and PO5
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Hampshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new patio in Portsmouth?
What should you budget for a new patio in Portsmouth? Use the figures below as a starting point. Prices in the South East sit about 12% above the national guide, so the range here is £2,800–£6,200 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 Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
| 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:
- Slab material, size and laying pattern
- Ground levels, slopes, steps and retaining walls
- 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
- Excavation and removal of turf, soil or old paving
- Compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base
- Primer on porcelain slabs for a strong bond
- Edging and neat cuts around drains and walls
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
What are homes like around Portsmouth?
Southampton and Portsmouth have dense Victorian terraces, with plenty of post-war rebuilding after wartime bombing. Winchester keeps Georgian and medieval streets, Basingstoke expanded rapidly with 1960s and 1970s estates, and New Forest villages feature cob, thatch and brick. Brick and flint is common on the chalk downs, and new estates ring most towns.
Terraces suit loft rooms and side-return extensions; post-war and expanded-town homes often need window, roofline and cladding renewal. Cottages in the Forest may call for lime repairs and planning-sensitive windows.
For a new patio in Portsmouth, this means checking things like wall construction, roof structure and existing services before we put a figure on paper.
Permissions for a new patio in Portsmouth
Because Portsmouth 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.
How does the job run?
We look at the job
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.
Price and scope agreed
Next you receive a written quote with a fixed price for the agreed specification. It lists what is included, what is not, and how payments are staged, so you can compare it properly.
Dates and permissions
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.
Finish and handover
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
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Portsmouth 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.
Nearby towns
Our coverage in Portsmouth includes PO1, PO2, PO3 and PO4. We also travel to Southsea, Gosport and Fareham, so neighbouring addresses are looked after on exactly the same terms as those in town.