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 Lichfield 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 WS13, and a typical project of this kind in the West Midlands lands somewhere in the £2,400–£5,400 bracket, including VAT. The exact figure depends on size, access and the finish you choose.
- Guide price
- £2,400–£5,400 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- WS13
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Staffordshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new patio in Lichfield?
The table below shows guide prices for a new patio in Lichfield. They are based on rates in the West Midlands, which run about 2% below the national guide, giving an overall range of £2,400–£5,400. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Lichfield |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £1,000–£2,400 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,400–£5,400 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £5,400–£12,000 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Patio area and the amount of excavation
- Slab material, size and laying pattern
- Ground levels, slopes, steps and retaining walls
- Drainage needed to keep water away from the house
What does the job include in Lichfield?
- Survey of levels, damp-proof course, drainage and access
- 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
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
Local housing and a new patio
Stoke-on-Trent has long rows of Victorian terraces from its pottery industry, often in red brick with Staffordshire blue brick details. Stafford, Lichfield and Tamworth mix Georgian and Victorian centres with interwar and post-war estates, Burton has brewery-era terraces, and the Staffordshire Moorlands around Leek use local gritstone.
Potteries terraces suit attic rooms, rear extensions and repointing; many need roof and window renewal. Semis and estate homes commonly take side extensions and driveways, and Moorlands stone homes call for lime work.
Building traditions across Staffordshire also raise conservation and planning questions, so we check those for a new patio in Lichfield at the survey stage.
Permissions for a new patio in Lichfield
Planning law differs across the UK. For a home in Lichfield, 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.
How does the job run?
A visit to your home
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.
Dates and permissions
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.
Finish and handover
During the work we protect the areas around it and tidy up at the end of each day. Once complete, we check the finish, remove our materials and hand over paperwork such as building control sign-off where it applies.
How we work
Patios and paving in Lichfield: questions
Do you cover Burntwood, Tamworth and Aldridge?
Yes. As well as Lichfield, we cover Burntwood, Tamworth and Aldridge and the rest of Staffordshire. Our coverage is UK-wide, so the process is the same wherever you are: a free site survey, a quote in writing that fixes the price for the agreed scope, and one point of contact while the work is planned and carried out.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Near Lichfield
Our coverage in Lichfield includes WS13. We also travel to Burntwood, Tamworth and Aldridge, so neighbouring addresses are looked after on exactly the same terms as those in town.