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 take on a new patio throughout Strood and the surrounding ME2 postcodes, as well as in Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham. The guide range for this work in the South East is £2,800–£6,200 including VAT; where your project falls depends on its size, the materials you pick and how easy the site is to reach. A free survey turns that range into a fixed figure.
- Guide price
- £2,800–£6,200 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- ME2
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Medway
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new patio in Strood?
The table below shows guide prices for a new patio in Strood. They are based on rates in the South East, which run about 12% above the national guide, giving an overall range of £2,800–£6,200. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Strood |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- 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?
- Survey of levels, damp-proof course, drainage and access
- 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
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
Homes in Kent
Kent's older buildings include oast houses, weatherboarded cottages, Wealden timber-framed houses and Kentish ragstone walls. Medway towns have long rows of Victorian terraces, Margate and Ramsgate have Regency and Victorian seafronts, and Ashford, Maidstone and Dartford have seen large new estates alongside interwar and post-war housing.
Victorian terraces suit loft rooms and rear extensions; weatherboarded and timber-framed buildings may need cladding repairs and lime work. Newer estate homes often take garage conversions, porches and landscaping.
If your house in Strood fits one of these patterns, it helps us anticipate what a new patio will involve, though we always confirm the details on site.
Permissions for a new patio in Strood
Planning law differs across the UK. For a home in Strood, 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.
From survey to handover
Free site survey
We arrange a free site survey on a date convenient to you. We measure up, look at the existing structure and access, and discuss your plans for a new patio so the price reflects your home.
Your fixed price
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.
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.
On site to finish
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
Common questions
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.
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 Strood 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.
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.
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.
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.
Nearby towns
From ME2 to the edges of Strood and on into Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham, we can arrange a site visit and a written quote for your project, planned around dates that work for you.