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 prompted you to look into a new patio, whether wear and tear, a growing family or plans to move, we can survey your Barnes home and give you a price in writing. Homes in London typically come in at £3,200–£7,200, VAT included, for this kind of work. We also cover Chiswick, Putney and Fulham, and the same steps apply wherever you are in London.
- Guide price
- £3,200–£7,200 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- SW13, SW14, SW15, TW9 and W4
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Greater London
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new patio cost in Barnes?
Use the table to gauge the cost of a new patio in Barnes before we visit. Figures include VAT and are scaled for London, coming out about 30% above the national guide, which gives £3,200–£7,200 overall. After a free survey, you receive a fixed written price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Barnes |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £1,300–£3,200 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £3,200–£7,200 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £7,200–£15,500 |
What moves the price up or down:
- 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
What does the job include in Barnes?
- 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
- Edging and neat cuts around drains and walls
What are homes like around Barnes?
London's housing is dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often in yellow London stock brick, with Georgian terraces in central districts and mansion blocks across many inner areas. Outer boroughs have large belts of interwar semis, and there are extensive post-war council estates. Many houses have been split into flats, and conservation areas are widespread.
London Clay shrinks and swells with the seasons, and street trees close to houses can contribute to movement, which affects foundation design.
That mix of housing shapes how we approach a new patio in Barnes: the age and construction of your home affect the materials, the method and, in the end, the price.
Do you need permission in Barnes?
As Barnes is in England, read the following with that system of planning and building control in mind. We check what applies to your house with the council before you receive a 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.
The four stages
Survey and measure
First, someone visits your home in Barnes to see the space, take measurements and note anything that could affect the work, such as access or the condition of what is there. There is no charge for this visit.
Quote in writing
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.
Getting ready
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.
The work itself
Work goes ahead as scheduled and you deal with one contact throughout. When the last trade leaves, we clear and clean the site, talk you through what has been done and pass on any certificates and care instructions.
How we work
Questions about a new patio in Barnes
How much will a new patio cost in Barnes?
As a guide, expect to pay £3,200–£7,200 including VAT for a new patio in Barnes. That range is adjusted for London, which runs about 30% 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.
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 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.
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.
Do I need planning permission in Barnes?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Barnes is in England, so England's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
Near Barnes
Barnes and its SW13, SW14, SW15 and TW9 postcodes are part of our coverage. Homeowners in Chiswick, Putney and Fulham can also book a free survey with us and receive a written price for their job.