Patios and paving in East London and Essex
Indian sandstone, porcelain, natural stone and block paving. Excavated, sub-based, laid on a full mortar bed and pointed. Waste removed.
From £176 per m² supplied and laid, including groundwork and waste removal
Seven questions, price on screen. No site visit needed for most gardens.
Patio materials we supply and lay
All rates below are supplied and laid on a prepared base, including groundwork and waste removal. Slab supply, sub-base, sand, cement and jointing compound are included in the quoted price.
Indian sandstone
From £176/m²The most widely used patio stone in the UK. Riven or sawn finish, available in grey, buff, autumn brown and black. Hard wearing and good value.
Porcelain
From £208/m²Dense, non-porous and colour stable. Resists staining and algae, needs a slurry primer and a 20mm calibrated build-up. The lowest maintenance option.
Natural stone
From £176/m²Limestone, granite, slate and travertine. Denser and more uniform than sandstone, with a sharper sawn edge, at a similar laid rate.
Block paving
From £176/m²Concrete or clay blocks laid on a compacted sharp sand bed and jointed with kiln dried sand. Suits driveways, paths and side returns where vehicles run over it.
Included in every patio job
One quoted price covering labour, materials, groundwork and waste removal. No separate skip hire or slab delivery to arrange yourself.
- Setting outLevels, falls and slab layout marked out before any digging starts.
- Excavation and spoil removalDug to depth for the build-up. Spoil loaded and taken away under our waste carrier registration.
- Compacted sub-baseMOT type 1 hardcore laid and whacker-plated in layers to stop the patio settling.
- Full mortar bedSlabs bedded on a full wet mix, not five spots of mortar. Porcelain slurry primed.
- Falls and drainageLaid to fall away from the house at a minimum 1:80, clear of the damp proof course.
- Jointing and clean downPointed with a jointing compound suited to the material, then washed off and cleaned.
The five layers under a patio
Most patio failures are settlement, movement or standing water, and all three come from the build-up rather than the slabs. This is the specification we work to.
Excavation
Dug out to around 200mm below the finished patio level, deeper on soft or made ground.
Sub-base
100–150mm of MOT type 1, laid and compacted in layers with a plate compactor.
Mortar bed
35–50mm full wet bed of sharp sand and cement. Every slab fully supported.
Laying
Slabs laid to string lines and levels, with consistent joints and the fall set away from the house.
Jointing
Brushed or wet pointed with a compound suited to the stone, then washed down.
What will your patio cost?
Seven questions on the material, the ground and the size. Takes about a minute and no contact details are needed first.
Which paving are you after?
If you are not sure yet, pick Indian sandstone — it is the most common choice and we can price alternatives later.
What is there at the moment?
Breaking out and disposing of an existing hard surface is the single biggest variable in a patio price.
How level is the area?
Level changes mean more spoil out, more hardcore in, and sometimes a retaining wall.
How do we get to the area?
Slabs, hardcore and spoil all move by the tonne. Access changes the labour more than anything else.
Anything else needed?
Tick anything that applies. Leave them all unticked for a plain patio.
How big is the patio?
Enter the area in square metres. Anything from 6m² upwards.
Not sure of the size?
Measure the length and width in metres. Rough is fine — we confirm on site before ordering materials.
Here is what your patio would cost
An estimate based on what you have told us, not a fixed quote. Send it over and we will confirm in writing, usually the same day.
What you told us
Recent patio and paving projects
Every patio starts with levels, not slabs
Before anything is dug, the area is set out: finished patio height, the fall away from the house, the position of the damp proof course and the slab layout so cuts land where they are least visible.
Getting this right at the start is what decides whether a patio drains, whether the courses run parallel to the house, and whether you end up with a thin sliver of cut stone along the most visible edge. It takes an hour and it cannot be corrected once the sub-base is in.
- Finished level set against the houseAt least 150mm below the damp proof course, with a drainage channel where the levels are tight.
- Falls marked before excavationMinimum 1:80 away from the building, checked with a level and string lines rather than by eye.
- Slab layout planned dryCoursing set out so full slabs face the house and cuts sit at the far edge or against a border.
Sidrit setting out a patio in South Woodford
Get a price for your patio
Use the estimator for a figure on screen, or send photos and rough measurements and we will quote in writing, usually the same day.
Patio laying across East London and Essex
GardenWow designs and builds patios across East London and west Essex, covering South Woodford, Woodford Green, Wanstead, Snaresbrook, Leytonstone, Walthamstow, Chingford, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Ilford and Romford. We work on domestic gardens, rear extensions and small commercial sites.
The service covers the whole job: setting out levels and falls, breaking out and removing any existing surface, excavating to depth, laying and compacting an MOT type 1 sub-base, bedding the paving on a full mortar bed, pointing the joints and washing down. Spoil and old paving leave under our waste carrier registration.
Choosing paving for a London garden
Indian sandstone remains the most common choice and sits at the same laid rate as natural stone and block paving. Porcelain costs more per square metre but is non-porous, so it resists staining and algae and needs almost no upkeep — worth considering for a shaded or north-facing garden where sandstone can green up. Natural stone such as limestone or granite gives a denser, more uniform finish. Block paving suits paths, side returns and driveways where vehicles run over it.
Falls, drainage and the damp proof course
A patio against a house must be laid to fall away from the building and must finish at least 150mm below the damp proof course. Where the levels do not allow that, a drainage channel along the wall solves it. Getting this wrong is the most common defect we are called out to fix on other people's patios.
Patio and paving questions
How much does a patio cost?
From £176 per square metre supplied and laid for Indian sandstone, natural stone and block paving, and from £208 for porcelain. That covers groundwork, materials, laying and waste removal. Breaking out concrete, correcting levels or restricted access add to the rate. Use the estimator above for a figure on your own garden.
How long does a patio take?
A straightforward 20 to 30 square metre patio is typically three to five working days. Breaking out concrete, retaining walls or steps add time, and we give you a day count with the quote rather than on the day.
Do you take the old patio away?
Yes. Breaking out and removing an existing surface is included in the quote, and it leaves under our waste carrier registration.
What is the sub-base and why does it matter?
It is the compacted layer of MOT type 1 hardcore beneath the mortar and slabs, normally 100 to 150mm deep. It spreads the load and stops the patio settling. Paving laid straight onto soil or sand will sink and rock within a couple of years.
Do you bed slabs on a full mortar bed?
Yes, a full wet bed under the whole slab. Spot bedding on five dabs of mortar leaves voids that hold water and crack slabs under load. It is quicker and cheaper and it is why a lot of patios fail early.
Will the patio drain properly?
It is laid to a fall of at least 1:80 away from the house, finishing clear of the damp proof course. Where the levels are tight we fit a linear drainage channel along the wall.
Does porcelain need sealing?
No. Porcelain is non-porous so sealing does nothing. Indian sandstone and natural stone can be sealed once fully dry, which helps with staining and makes cleaning easier.
Can you do the patio and the lawn together?
Yes, and it is usually cheaper done in one visit than as two jobs. Turfing, borders and fencing can all be quoted alongside the paving.
Do I need planning permission?
Normally not for a rear garden patio. Front gardens are different: paving over five square metres with a non-permeable surface needs either a permeable finish or drainage to a soakaway.
Do you guarantee the work?
Yes. Workmanship is guaranteed and we carry £5m public liability cover. If something moves or fails because of how it was built, we come back.
Get a price for your patio
Estimate on screen in about a minute, or send photos and measurements for a written quote.
Patios and paving in East London and Essex
Indian sandstone, porcelain, natural stone and block paving. Excavated, sub-based, laid on a full mortar bed and pointed. Waste removed.
From £176 per m² supplied and laid, including groundwork and waste removal
Seven questions, price on screen. No site visit needed for most gardens.
Patio materials we supply and lay
All rates below are supplied and laid on a prepared base, including groundwork and waste removal. Slab supply, sub-base, sand, cement and jointing compound are included in the quoted price.
Indian sandstone
From £176/m²The most widely used patio stone in the UK. Riven or sawn finish, available in grey, buff, autumn brown and black. Hard wearing and good value.
Porcelain
From £208/m²Dense, non-porous and colour stable. Resists staining and algae, needs a slurry primer and a 20mm calibrated build-up. The lowest maintenance option.
Natural stone
From £176/m²Limestone, granite, slate and travertine. Denser and more uniform than sandstone, with a sharper sawn edge, at a similar laid rate.
Block paving
From £176/m²Concrete or clay blocks laid on a compacted sharp sand bed and jointed with kiln dried sand. Suits driveways, paths and side returns where vehicles run over it.
Included in every patio job
One quoted price covering labour, materials, groundwork and waste removal. No separate skip hire or slab delivery to arrange yourself.
- Setting outLevels, falls and slab layout marked out before any digging starts.
- Excavation and spoil removalDug to depth for the build-up. Spoil loaded and taken away under our waste carrier registration.
- Compacted sub-baseMOT type 1 hardcore laid and whacker-plated in layers to stop the patio settling.
- Full mortar bedSlabs bedded on a full wet mix, not five spots of mortar. Porcelain slurry primed.
- Falls and drainageLaid to fall away from the house at a minimum 1:80, clear of the damp proof course.
- Jointing and clean downPointed with a jointing compound suited to the material, then washed off and cleaned.
The five layers under a patio
Most patio failures are settlement, movement or standing water, and all three come from the build-up rather than the slabs. This is the specification we work to.
Excavation
Dug out to around 200mm below the finished patio level, deeper on soft or made ground.
Sub-base
100–150mm of MOT type 1, laid and compacted in layers with a plate compactor.
Mortar bed
35–50mm full wet bed of sharp sand and cement. Every slab fully supported.
Laying
Slabs laid to string lines and levels, with consistent joints and the fall set away from the house.
Jointing
Brushed or wet pointed with a compound suited to the stone, then washed down.
What will your patio cost?
Seven questions on the material, the ground and the size. Takes about a minute and no contact details are needed first.
Which paving are you after?
If you are not sure yet, pick Indian sandstone — it is the most common choice and we can price alternatives later.
What is there at the moment?
Breaking out and disposing of an existing hard surface is the single biggest variable in a patio price.
How level is the area?
Level changes mean more spoil out, more hardcore in, and sometimes a retaining wall.
How do we get to the area?
Slabs, hardcore and spoil all move by the tonne. Access changes the labour more than anything else.
Anything else needed?
Tick anything that applies. Leave them all unticked for a plain patio.
How big is the patio?
Enter the area in square metres. Anything from 6m² upwards.
Not sure of the size?
Measure the length and width in metres. Rough is fine — we confirm on site before ordering materials.
Here is what your patio would cost
An estimate based on what you have told us, not a fixed quote. Send it over and we will confirm in writing, usually the same day.
What you told us
Recent patio and paving projects
Every patio starts with levels, not slabs
Before anything is dug, the area is set out: finished patio height, the fall away from the house, the position of the damp proof course and the slab layout so cuts land where they are least visible.
Getting this right at the start is what decides whether a patio drains, whether the courses run parallel to the house, and whether you end up with a thin sliver of cut stone along the most visible edge. It takes an hour and it cannot be corrected once the sub-base is in.
- Finished level set against the houseAt least 150mm below the damp proof course, with a drainage channel where the levels are tight.
- Falls marked before excavationMinimum 1:80 away from the building, checked with a level and string lines rather than by eye.
- Slab layout planned dryCoursing set out so full slabs face the house and cuts sit at the far edge or against a border.
Sidrit setting out a patio in South Woodford
Get a price for your patio
Use the estimator for a figure on screen, or send photos and rough measurements and we will quote in writing, usually the same day.
Patio laying across East London and Essex
GardenWow designs and builds patios across East London and west Essex, covering South Woodford, Woodford Green, Wanstead, Snaresbrook, Leytonstone, Walthamstow, Chingford, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Ilford and Romford. We work on domestic gardens, rear extensions and small commercial sites.
The service covers the whole job: setting out levels and falls, breaking out and removing any existing surface, excavating to depth, laying and compacting an MOT type 1 sub-base, bedding the paving on a full mortar bed, pointing the joints and washing down. Spoil and old paving leave under our waste carrier registration.
Choosing paving for a London garden
Indian sandstone remains the most common choice and sits at the same laid rate as natural stone and block paving. Porcelain costs more per square metre but is non-porous, so it resists staining and algae and needs almost no upkeep — worth considering for a shaded or north-facing garden where sandstone can green up. Natural stone such as limestone or granite gives a denser, more uniform finish. Block paving suits paths, side returns and driveways where vehicles run over it.
Falls, drainage and the damp proof course
A patio against a house must be laid to fall away from the building and must finish at least 150mm below the damp proof course. Where the levels do not allow that, a drainage channel along the wall solves it. Getting this wrong is the most common defect we are called out to fix on other people's patios.
Patio and paving questions
How much does a patio cost?
From £176 per square metre supplied and laid for Indian sandstone, natural stone and block paving, and from £208 for porcelain. That covers groundwork, materials, laying and waste removal. Breaking out concrete, correcting levels or restricted access add to the rate. Use the estimator above for a figure on your own garden.
How long does a patio take?
A straightforward 20 to 30 square metre patio is typically three to five working days. Breaking out concrete, retaining walls or steps add time, and we give you a day count with the quote rather than on the day.
Do you take the old patio away?
Yes. Breaking out and removing an existing surface is included in the quote, and it leaves under our waste carrier registration.
What is the sub-base and why does it matter?
It is the compacted layer of MOT type 1 hardcore beneath the mortar and slabs, normally 100 to 150mm deep. It spreads the load and stops the patio settling. Paving laid straight onto soil or sand will sink and rock within a couple of years.
Do you bed slabs on a full mortar bed?
Yes, a full wet bed under the whole slab. Spot bedding on five dabs of mortar leaves voids that hold water and crack slabs under load. It is quicker and cheaper and it is why a lot of patios fail early.
Will the patio drain properly?
It is laid to a fall of at least 1:80 away from the house, finishing clear of the damp proof course. Where the levels are tight we fit a linear drainage channel along the wall.
Does porcelain need sealing?
No. Porcelain is non-porous so sealing does nothing. Indian sandstone and natural stone can be sealed once fully dry, which helps with staining and makes cleaning easier.
Can you do the patio and the lawn together?
Yes, and it is usually cheaper done in one visit than as two jobs. Turfing, borders and fencing can all be quoted alongside the paving.
Do I need planning permission?
Normally not for a rear garden patio. Front gardens are different: paving over five square metres with a non-permeable surface needs either a permeable finish or drainage to a soakaway.
Do you guarantee the work?
Yes. Workmanship is guaranteed and we carry £5m public liability cover. If something moves or fails because of how it was built, we come back.
Get a price for your patio
Estimate on screen in about a minute, or send photos and measurements for a written quote.