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 offer a new patio across Tyne and Wear, and North Shields is one of the places we cover, along with nearby Tynemouth, South Shields and Whitley Bay. Before anything is agreed we visit, check the existing structure and talk through your options. You then receive a written quote setting out the full scope; for most homes in the North East it sits within £2,200–£5,000 including VAT.
- Guide price
- £2,200–£5,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- NE26, NE29, NE30 and NE33
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- North Tyneside
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new patio in North Shields?
The table below shows guide prices for a new patio in North Shields. They are based on rates in the North East, which run about 10% below the national guide, giving an overall range of £2,200–£5,000. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in North Shields |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path | Around 10m² of concrete slabs or a garden path. | £900–£2,200 |
| Typical 20m² patio | Sandstone or porcelain on a full sub-base with jointing and edging. | £2,200–£5,000 |
| Large or multi-level patio | Bigger areas, steps, retaining walls or premium stone. | £5,000–£11,000 |
The main things that change the figure:
- 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 North Shields?
- 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
- Jointing with mortar or a brush-in compound
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
Building in North Shields
Tyneside flats, pairs of upper and lower flats behind a terraced front, are a distinctive feature of Newcastle and Gateshead. Sunderland is known for its single-storey terraced 'Sunderland cottages', and both cities have Victorian brick and stone terraces, interwar estates and post-war housing. Washington was built as a new town from the 1960s.
Cold North Sea winds and sea frets affect the coast at Tynemouth and South Shields, and former coal workings underlie parts of the area.
In North Shields, as elsewhere in Tyne and Wear, we take the building's age and construction into account before recommending anything, because both can change what is involved in a new patio.
Planning and building rules in North Shields
For anyone in North Shields, the relevant framework is England'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 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
Free site survey
Book a visit and we'll come to you. The survey covers measurements, the state of what's there now and any obvious constraints, so the price that follows is based on your actual home, not an average.
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.
Booking the work
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.
The work itself
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.
Working with SK Home Improvements
Frequently asked questions
How much will a new patio cost in North Shields?
As a guide, expect to pay £2,200–£5,000 including VAT for a new patio in North Shields. That range is adjusted for the North East, which runs about 10% below 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.
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.
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 North Shields 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.
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 North Shields
From NE26, NE29, NE30 and NE33 to the edges of North Shields and on into Tynemouth, South Shields and Whitley Bay, we can arrange a site visit and a written quote for your project, planned around dates that work for you.