Patio installation and garden paving in East London and Essex
Indian sandstone, porcelain and natural stone patios built by local patio layers. Dug out, sub-based, laid on a full mortar bed and pointed.
Patios built from the ground up
GardenWow is a local patio company based in South Woodford. Our patio builders and installers handle patio laying, new patio installation and patio replacement across East London and west Essex.
Most patio problems are settling, rocking slabs and standing water, and all of them start below the surface. So every patio gets the same build: set out to levels, dug out, a compacted sub-base, slabs on a full mortar bed, pointed and washed down. One quoted price covers the lot.
Patio materials we supply and lay
Slabs, sub-base, mortar and jointing are all included. The instant quote shows the price for the stone you choose.
Indian sandstone
The most popular patio stone in the UK. Riven or sawn, in grey, buff, autumn brown or black. Hard wearing and good value.
Porcelain
A porcelain patio is dense, non-porous and colour stable. It resists staining and algae, so it suits shaded gardens. The lowest maintenance option, laid on a primed bed.
Natural stone
Limestone, granite, slate and travertine. Denser and more uniform than sandstone, with a sharper sawn edge.
Included in every patio job
A patio is only as good as the layers underneath it. That is where the work goes.
- Old surface removed — slabs, decking or concrete broken out and taken away.
- Excavation — dug to depth for the full build-up, spoil loaded and removed.
- Compacted sub-base — hardcore laid and compacted in layers so the patio does not settle.
- Full mortar bed — every slab fully bedded, never spot-bedded on dabs. Porcelain primed.
- Falls and drainage — laid to fall away from the house, clear of the damp proof course.
- Pointing and clean down — jointed to suit the stone, then washed off and left clean.
Every patio starts with levels, not slabs
Before anything is dug, the area is set out: the finished height, the fall away from the house, the damp proof course and the slab layout, so cuts land where they are least visible. It cannot be corrected once the sub-base is in.
- Finished level set well below the damp proof course, with a drainage channel where levels are tight
- Falls checked with a level and string lines, not by eye
- Slabs laid out dry first, so full slabs face the house and cuts sit at the far edge
How it works
Get your price
Use the instant quote, or send photos on WhatsApp.
We confirm in writing
A fixed, itemised price, usually the same day.
We build it
Old surface out, sub-base compacted, slabs bedded and pointed.
We clear up
Spoil and old paving gone, patio washed down.
What will your patio cost?
A few questions on the stone, the ground and the size. The price shows on screen 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
Rather talk it through? Give us a call
Recent patio and paving projects
New patios and patio replacements by our team across East London and Essex.
What our customers say
★★★★★ Rated on GoogleWow indeed! I was given a good clear estimate with details and then Arlind and Sidrit built me a most beautiful patio! Excellent design and attention to detail. Beyond my dreams.
Thank you so much Arlind and team! We are absolutely delighted with our new garden patio and greenhouse / shed combo. Your work has been fantastic and we're very happy to recommend you guys. It means a lot. A huge heartfelt thank you!
I was very specific about the materials and finish I wanted and they completed the work to absolute perfection at a great price. Arlind is extremely knowledgeable about plant life — intelligent, respectful and considerate at all times. I cannot recommend them highly enough!
From beginning to end, the team were excellent. I knew as soon as I met them that they were going to be great. Very thorough from concept to design to completion. The final result is outstanding. No issues. No complaints. Just got the job done. Highly recommend.
We recently had our outdoor space completely transformed — new decking built and fresh grass laid. The space has gone from unusable to genuinely livable. Arlind was professional, communicative and a real pleasure to work with. Highly recommend, five stars without hesitation!
GardenWow were great, thank you so much for doing everything from tidying, cleaning patio, clearing leaves, cutting back, mowing and lots more. The garden looks great. Would definitely recommend to anyone.
The guys did a fantastic job. Very professional and cooperative. They completed all the lawn mowing, removal of weeds and a thorough tidy in good time. My garden was left feeling clean and spotless and ready for the summer. I would highly recommend.
Arlind and his team did a really nice job on my garden tidy up after the winter. They worked hard and made sure I was happy with everything before they left. Will definitely be using GardenWow again. Thanks Arlind!
Patio and paving questions
How much does a patio cost?
Patio prices depend on the paving you choose, what has to come out first, how level the ground is and how we get to it. Indian sandstone and natural stone sit at the same laid rate, and porcelain costs a little more per square metre. Groundwork, sub-base, materials, laying and waste removal are always included. The instant quote on this page gives you a price for your own garden in about a minute.
How much does it cost to replace an old patio?
Replacing a patio is priced the same way as a new one, because breaking out and removing the old surface is already included. Solid concrete takes the longest to break out, so it moves the price most. Use the instant quote for a figure on your garden.
How do I get a patio quote?
Answer a few questions in the instant quote and the price shows on screen. Or send photos and rough measurements on WhatsApp and we will confirm in writing, usually the same day. Most gardens do not need a site visit.
Are you local patio builders and paving contractors?
Yes. GardenWow is a local paving company based in South Woodford, and our patio contractors work across South Woodford, Woodford Green, Wanstead, Snaresbrook, Leytonstone, Walthamstow, Chingford, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Ilford and Romford.
How long does a patio take to install?
Most garden patios take a few 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, and it leaves under our waste carrier registration.
Porcelain or Indian sandstone?
Indian sandstone is natural, the most popular choice and good value, and it can be sealed once dry. Porcelain costs more but is non-porous, so it resists staining and algae and needs almost no upkeep, which makes it the better choice for a shaded or north-facing garden where sandstone can turn green.
What is the sub-base and why does it matter?
It is the compacted layer of hardcore beneath the mortar and slabs. It spreads the load and stops the patio settling. Paving laid straight onto soil or sand sinks and rocks within a couple of years.
Do you bed slabs on a full mortar bed?
Yes, a full bed under the whole slab. Spot bedding on a few 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 steady fall away from the house and finishes well below 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.
Do you lay block paving or driveways?
No. We build garden patios in Indian sandstone, porcelain and natural stone. We do not lay block paving or driveways.
Do I need planning permission for a patio?
Normally not for a rear garden patio. Front gardens have their own rules on drainage, so paving there may need a permeable finish or a soakaway.
Can you do the patio and the lawn together?
Yes, and it is usually cheaper in one visit than as separate jobs. Turfing, borders and fencing can all be quoted alongside the paving.
Do you guarantee the work?
Yes. Workmanship is guaranteed and we are fully insured. If something moves or fails because of how it was built, we come back.
Get a price for your patio
Price on screen in about a minute, or send photos and rough measurements for a written quote.
Patio installation and garden paving in East London and Essex
Indian sandstone, porcelain and natural stone patios built by local patio layers. Dug out, sub-based, laid on a full mortar bed and pointed.
Patios built from the ground up
GardenWow is a local patio company based in South Woodford. Our patio builders and installers handle patio laying, new patio installation and patio replacement across East London and west Essex.
Most patio problems are settling, rocking slabs and standing water, and all of them start below the surface. So every patio gets the same build: set out to levels, dug out, a compacted sub-base, slabs on a full mortar bed, pointed and washed down. One quoted price covers the lot.
Patio materials we supply and lay
Slabs, sub-base, mortar and jointing are all included. The instant quote shows the price for the stone you choose.
Indian sandstone
The most popular patio stone in the UK. Riven or sawn, in grey, buff, autumn brown or black. Hard wearing and good value.
Porcelain
A porcelain patio is dense, non-porous and colour stable. It resists staining and algae, so it suits shaded gardens. The lowest maintenance option, laid on a primed bed.
Natural stone
Limestone, granite, slate and travertine. Denser and more uniform than sandstone, with a sharper sawn edge.
Included in every patio job
A patio is only as good as the layers underneath it. That is where the work goes.
- Old surface removed — slabs, decking or concrete broken out and taken away.
- Excavation — dug to depth for the full build-up, spoil loaded and removed.
- Compacted sub-base — hardcore laid and compacted in layers so the patio does not settle.
- Full mortar bed — every slab fully bedded, never spot-bedded on dabs. Porcelain primed.
- Falls and drainage — laid to fall away from the house, clear of the damp proof course.
- Pointing and clean down — jointed to suit the stone, then washed off and left clean.
Every patio starts with levels, not slabs
Before anything is dug, the area is set out: the finished height, the fall away from the house, the damp proof course and the slab layout, so cuts land where they are least visible. It cannot be corrected once the sub-base is in.
- Finished level set well below the damp proof course, with a drainage channel where levels are tight
- Falls checked with a level and string lines, not by eye
- Slabs laid out dry first, so full slabs face the house and cuts sit at the far edge
How it works
Get your price
Use the instant quote, or send photos on WhatsApp.
We confirm in writing
A fixed, itemised price, usually the same day.
We build it
Old surface out, sub-base compacted, slabs bedded and pointed.
We clear up
Spoil and old paving gone, patio washed down.
What will your patio cost?
A few questions on the stone, the ground and the size. The price shows on screen 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
Rather talk it through? Give us a call
Recent patio and paving projects
New patios and patio replacements by our team across East London and Essex.
What our customers say
★★★★★ Rated on GoogleWow indeed! I was given a good clear estimate with details and then Arlind and Sidrit built me a most beautiful patio! Excellent design and attention to detail. Beyond my dreams.
Thank you so much Arlind and team! We are absolutely delighted with our new garden patio and greenhouse / shed combo. Your work has been fantastic and we're very happy to recommend you guys. It means a lot. A huge heartfelt thank you!
I was very specific about the materials and finish I wanted and they completed the work to absolute perfection at a great price. Arlind is extremely knowledgeable about plant life — intelligent, respectful and considerate at all times. I cannot recommend them highly enough!
From beginning to end, the team were excellent. I knew as soon as I met them that they were going to be great. Very thorough from concept to design to completion. The final result is outstanding. No issues. No complaints. Just got the job done. Highly recommend.
We recently had our outdoor space completely transformed — new decking built and fresh grass laid. The space has gone from unusable to genuinely livable. Arlind was professional, communicative and a real pleasure to work with. Highly recommend, five stars without hesitation!
GardenWow were great, thank you so much for doing everything from tidying, cleaning patio, clearing leaves, cutting back, mowing and lots more. The garden looks great. Would definitely recommend to anyone.
The guys did a fantastic job. Very professional and cooperative. They completed all the lawn mowing, removal of weeds and a thorough tidy in good time. My garden was left feeling clean and spotless and ready for the summer. I would highly recommend.
Arlind and his team did a really nice job on my garden tidy up after the winter. They worked hard and made sure I was happy with everything before they left. Will definitely be using GardenWow again. Thanks Arlind!
Patio and paving questions
How much does a patio cost?
Patio prices depend on the paving you choose, what has to come out first, how level the ground is and how we get to it. Indian sandstone and natural stone sit at the same laid rate, and porcelain costs a little more per square metre. Groundwork, sub-base, materials, laying and waste removal are always included. The instant quote on this page gives you a price for your own garden in about a minute.
How much does it cost to replace an old patio?
Replacing a patio is priced the same way as a new one, because breaking out and removing the old surface is already included. Solid concrete takes the longest to break out, so it moves the price most. Use the instant quote for a figure on your garden.
How do I get a patio quote?
Answer a few questions in the instant quote and the price shows on screen. Or send photos and rough measurements on WhatsApp and we will confirm in writing, usually the same day. Most gardens do not need a site visit.
Are you local patio builders and paving contractors?
Yes. GardenWow is a local paving company based in South Woodford, and our patio contractors work across South Woodford, Woodford Green, Wanstead, Snaresbrook, Leytonstone, Walthamstow, Chingford, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Ilford and Romford.
How long does a patio take to install?
Most garden patios take a few 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, and it leaves under our waste carrier registration.
Porcelain or Indian sandstone?
Indian sandstone is natural, the most popular choice and good value, and it can be sealed once dry. Porcelain costs more but is non-porous, so it resists staining and algae and needs almost no upkeep, which makes it the better choice for a shaded or north-facing garden where sandstone can turn green.
What is the sub-base and why does it matter?
It is the compacted layer of hardcore beneath the mortar and slabs. It spreads the load and stops the patio settling. Paving laid straight onto soil or sand sinks and rocks within a couple of years.
Do you bed slabs on a full mortar bed?
Yes, a full bed under the whole slab. Spot bedding on a few 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 steady fall away from the house and finishes well below 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.
Do you lay block paving or driveways?
No. We build garden patios in Indian sandstone, porcelain and natural stone. We do not lay block paving or driveways.
Do I need planning permission for a patio?
Normally not for a rear garden patio. Front gardens have their own rules on drainage, so paving there may need a permeable finish or a soakaway.
Can you do the patio and the lawn together?
Yes, and it is usually cheaper in one visit than as separate jobs. Turfing, borders and fencing can all be quoted alongside the paving.
Do you guarantee the work?
Yes. Workmanship is guaranteed and we are fully insured. If something moves or fails because of how it was built, we come back.
Get a price for your patio
Price on screen in about a minute, or send photos and rough measurements for a written quote.