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 St Albans 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 AL1 and AL2, and a typical project of this kind in the East of England lands somewhere in the £2,600–£5,800 bracket, including VAT. The exact figure depends on size, access and the finish you choose.
- Guide price
- £2,600–£5,800 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- AL1 and AL2
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Hertfordshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new patio cost in St Albans?
What should you budget for a new patio in St Albans? Use the figures below as a starting point. Prices in the East of England sit about 5% above the national guide, so the range here is £2,600–£5,800 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 St Albans |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £1,050–£2,600 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,600–£5,800 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £5,800–£12,500 |
What moves the price up or down:
- 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
What does the job include in St Albans?
- 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
- Jointing with mortar or a brush-in compound
- Edging and neat cuts around drains and walls
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
Building in St Albans
Hertfordshire is home to the first garden cities, Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City, and the post-war new towns of Stevenage, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead. Watford and St Albans have Victorian terraces and Georgian streets, interwar semis line the commuter suburbs, and brick-and-flint cottages appear in Chiltern villages to the west.
Generally dry with chalk and clay soils; clay areas can move in long dry spells, and mature trees near houses need considering for foundations.
So when we survey a St Albans property for a new patio, the first step is working out how it was built and what has been changed since.
Do you need permission in St Albans?
Which rules apply depends on where you live. For St Albans, the answer is England, and the points below reflect that; we verify them with the council before quoting.
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
We begin by looking at the job in person. During the free survey we discuss options, materials and budget for a new patio, and photograph or measure anything the quote needs to reflect.
Price and scope agreed
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.
Booking the work
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.
Build and hand over
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
Common 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.
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 I stay at home during the work?
In most cases, yes. Most people can live at home throughout, and we plan the work to keep disruption down by protecting floors, agreeing working hours and keeping access routes clear. Bigger jobs affecting kitchens, bathrooms or heating may mean a short spell with reduced facilities, and we talk this through with you at the survey.
How do you make sure water drains away from the house?
A patio needs a gentle fall, usually a little over 1 in 80, so rainwater runs away from the house towards the garden, a drain or a soakaway. The surface should also sit well below the damp-proof course. If the patio meets a door threshold, a channel drain may be needed. We set levels with string lines and check falls as we lay each section.
How long will a new patio take?
On a typical home, allow 3–7 days on site. Larger projects, older buildings and extra work found once things are opened up can extend that, while simpler jobs may be shorter. Your quote includes an estimate of time on site, and your point of contact keeps you updated on the programme as the work progresses.
Nearby towns
If your address falls within AL1 and AL2, we cover it. The same goes for neighbouring Harpenden, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead, which we include alongside St Albans when arranging surveys and quotes.