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.
Homes across Lancashire vary a great deal, so we price a new patio only after seeing the property. Our coverage takes in Preston, Burnley, Blackburn and Blackpool and the surrounding districts. As a guide, expect £2,400–£5,200 including VAT in the North West; the final figure depends on size, materials and access. Any permissions are checked against the rules for England before we quote.
- Guide price
- £2,400–£5,200 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 5% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 19
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Patios and paving prices in Lancashire
The costs listed here are typical for a new patio around Lancashire and include VAT. They reflect labour and material costs in the North West, about 5% below the national guide, giving a range of £2,400–£5,200. Exact pricing depends on your home, so we only fix it once a free site survey is done.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Lancashire |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £950–£2,400 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,400–£5,200 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £5,200–£11,500 |
The main things that change the figure:
- 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
- Excavation and removal of turf, soil or old paving
- Compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base
- 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
Housing across Lancashire
East Lancashire mill towns such as Burnley, Blackburn and Accrington have long rows of stone and brick terraces, while Preston is mostly red brick. Lancaster uses sandstone for its Georgian centre, Blackpool and the Fylde coast have guest-house terraces and many bungalows, and interwar and newer estates surround most towns.
Mill-town terraces commonly suit attic conversions, kitchen extensions and repointing. Bungalows on the coast often take loft rooms and porches, and stone properties may need lime pointing and roof repairs.
Westerly winds and high rainfall are the norm, with gales on the Fylde coast and wetter, colder conditions on the Pennine side.
Planning and building rules in Lancashire
Homes in Lancashire come under the regulations for England, summarised below. We don't rely on general rules alone: we confirm the position for your address with the council before a quote goes out.
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
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.
Written quote
We turn the survey notes into a written quote. The price is fixed for the specification we agree, and the document sets out materials, scope and payment stages in plain language.
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.
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.
What you can expect from us
Questions about a new patio in Lancashire
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 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.
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 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.
Which postcodes in Lancashire do you cover?
We cover PR1, BB10, BB1 and FY1, along with the rest of Lancashire. If your postcode is not listed, get in touch anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, and we can usually arrange a survey wherever you live. Enter your postcode in the guide-price tool or contact form and we will confirm.
Towns in Lancashire
Below is our list of Lancashire towns for a new patio. If yours isn't shown, we may still cover it, so it is worth asking us directly.