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.
Across West Midlands, people look into a new patio to replace something worn out, to make the house work better for them, or to get it ready for a sale. We cover Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and Dudley and the smaller towns around them, working to the rules that apply in England. Expect a guide of £2,400–£5,400, VAT included, in the West Midlands, and every quote follows a free visit.
- Guide price
- £2,400–£5,400 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 2% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 24
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Patios and paving prices in West Midlands
Below is a breakdown of typical costs for a new patio in West Midlands. Because rates in the West Midlands are about 2% below the national guide, the overall guide comes to £2,400–£5,400, including VAT. Size, materials and access move the figure, and a free-of-charge survey settles it.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in West Midlands |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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
- Access for materials and removing spoil
What do you get?
- 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
- Edging and neat cuts around drains and walls
- Site cleared, waste removed and paving cleaned
Homes in West Midlands
Red-brick Victorian and Edwardian terraces are common in the inner areas of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the Black Country, ringed by large swathes of 1930s semis with bay windows and hipped roofs. You'll also find post-war council estates, some system-built blocks, Coventry's rebuilt centre and larger detached homes in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.
1930s semis often suit side and rear extensions, hip-to-gable loft conversions and garage conversions. Victorian terraces tend to need repointing, roof work and replacement windows, and many have room for a side-return extension.
An inland climate with regular winter frosts means freeze-thaw damage to soft brick and old mortar is a common reason for repointing and render repairs.
Do you need permission in West Midlands?
The notes below cover England, which is where West Midlands sits. Rules change and every property is different, so we speak to the council before pricing your job.
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
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 put everything into a written, fixed-price quote: the specification, what's excluded, staged payments and the expected time on site. Take whatever time you need to decide; there's no pressure to commit.
Plan and prepare
Next comes planning the work itself. We set a start date that suits you, line up the right trades, and make sure any approvals for a new patio are in place before the first day on site.
On site to finish
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.
How we work
Questions about a new patio in West Midlands
Is the price fixed?
Yes, for the specification we agree. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included at a fixed price. It only changes if you ask for something different, or if a problem the survey could not reasonably reveal later needs extra work. In either case we explain the change and confirm it in writing before going ahead.
How much does a new patio cost?
A typical 20m² patio in sandstone or porcelain costs £2,400–£5,400, including excavation, sub-base, laying and jointing. As a guide, allow roughly £100–£220 per square metre plus fixed costs for set-up and waste. Concrete slabs cost less, while slate, granite and large-format porcelain cost more. Steps, walls and drainage add to the total. We confirm a fixed price after the survey.
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.
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 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.
Towns in West Midlands
Below is our list of West Midlands towns for a new patio. If yours isn't shown, we may still cover it, so it is worth asking us directly.