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.
Every house in Greenock is a little different, so we never price a new patio from a brochure. We look at the structure, access and existing finishes first, then put in writing a fixed figure for the scope we settle on. As a rough steer, homeowners in Scotland should budget £2,400–£5,300 including VAT, with work typically taking 3–7 days on site.
- Guide price
- £2,400–£5,300 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- PA14, PA15, PA16 and PA19
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Local area
- Inverclyde
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Patios and paving prices in Greenock
Here is how the guide price for a new patio breaks down in Greenock. We start from national figures and adjust for Scotland, which comes out about 4% below the national guide. The resulting range, VAT included, is £2,400–£5,300, and a survey, at no cost to you, firms it up.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Greenock |
|---|---|---|
| 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–£5,300 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £5,300–£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
- 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 Greenock?
Paisley has sandstone tenements and terraces from its textile era, Greenock and Port Glasgow have tenements and housing climbing the hills above the Clyde, and Gourock and Kilmacolm have Victorian villas. Post-war estates and newer private housing surround the towns, and roughcast is a common finish.
Inverclyde is one of the wettest parts of lowland Scotland, and homes facing the Firth of Clyde take wind and driving rain.
In Greenock, as elsewhere in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, we take the building's age and construction into account before recommending anything, because both can change what is involved in a new patio.
Permissions for a new patio in Greenock
For anyone in Greenock, the relevant framework is Scotland's. The summary below is general, so we always contact the council about your address before putting a price in writing.
A ground-level patio does not usually need planning permission in Scotland; raised decking is limited in height under permitted development.
A building warrant is not normally needed for a patio.
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
First, someone visits your home in Greenock 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.
Your fixed price
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.
Plan and prepare
With the quote agreed, we book the work in and handle preparation: permissions where needed, building control notifications, material orders and access arrangements for your Greenock property.
Build and hand over
Our trades complete a new patio while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
What you can expect from us
Common questions
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.
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 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.
Does a patio need planning permission?
Most patios do not need planning permission, but it depends on the size, height and location, your home's position, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you are in. Raised patios or decking more than a small height above the ground may need permission because of overlooking. We check the position for your garden before quoting.
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.
Nearby towns
Greenock and its PA14, PA15, PA16 and PA19 postcodes are part of our coverage. Homeowners in Helensburgh, Dunoon and Vale of Leven can also book a free survey with us and receive a written price for their job.