--- title: "New Build Garden Patios FAQs | Cambridge Patios" description: "Straight answers to the questions we get asked about new build garden patios, problems, costs, suitability and what to expect." canonical: "https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/faq/new-build-garden-patios" lastmod: "2026-10-05T11:28:40.315Z" --- # New Build Garden Patios Questions Every question we get asked about new build garden patios, answered straight. ## Problems & Symptoms ### Why is my patio area staying wet after rain? The most common cause is inadequate fall, the surface is not sloped enough to shed water, or a compacted sub-base that blocks drainage. Clay-heavy ground, common in Cambridge, makes this worse because water cannot percolate away. A proper survey will identify whether the issue is gradient, sub-base depth, or the absence of a drainage channel. ### Will a new patio help with drainage in my garden? Yes, if it is laid with the correct fall and drainage provision built in. A new installation can include a channel drain or soakaway to direct water away from the house and lawn. Simply relaying slabs without addressing the sub-base or gradient will not solve a persistent drainage problem. [Patio drainage & levelling](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/patio-drainage-levelling) covers this in more detail. ## Cost & Pricing ### What happens if there is hidden ground work needed once the job starts? If excavation reveals unexpected ground conditions, buried rubble, a high water table, or a failed drain, the scope and cost will need to change. Work stops, you are shown what has been found, and the job is requoted before continuing. This is why a thorough survey before work starts reduces the likelihood of surprises mid-job. ## Is It Right for You? ### How do I know which patio material is best for my garden? The right material depends on use, budget, and the look you want. Porcelain is low-maintenance and frost-resistant; Indian sandstone gives a natural, warm tone; limestone suits formal gardens; block paving works well where vehicles may cross. We schedule a survey of your space and walk through the options before you commit. [View all patio materials](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services). ### Which patio finish is most suitable for my space? A sawn, smooth finish suits contemporary gardens and is easier to clean; a riven or textured surface gives better grip in wet conditions and suits traditional settings. Porcelain comes in both; natural stone has inherent texture. Samples are brought to the survey, with advice based on your garden’s aspect, use, and existing materials. ### Will the layout work with the size and shape of my garden? Yes, patio layouts are planned around your garden’s dimensions and any fixed features such as doors, steps, or manholes. Slab sizes and bond patterns are chosen to minimise cut pieces and waste. The survey is where the measuring up happens, and a layout is proposed that fits the actual space. ### Can a new patio be laid on my existing ground, or does it need digging out first? Excavation is almost always required. Laying directly onto topsoil or existing lawn leads to settlement and drainage failure. The depth needed depends on what is there now and the ground conditions beneath. This is assessed at survey, with the required dig-out confirmed before quoting. ### Will a new patio suit a small garden? Yes. Smaller gardens often benefit most from a well-laid patio because it creates a usable, low-maintenance surface where lawn would struggle. Slab size and bond pattern are chosen to suit the proportions of the space, and lighter-coloured materials such as limestone or porcelain can make a compact garden feel more open. ### What patio base is best for a new-build house on clay-heavy ground in Cambridge? On clay, a deeper compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base, typically 150 mm or more, combined with a geotextile membrane is the standard approach. This prevents clay migration into the sub-base and reduces frost heave risk. The exact depth is confirmed at survey once the installer has assessed how the ground behaves on your specific plot. ## Comparing Your Options ### How do I know if I need a new patio or just a repair? If slabs are cracked, sunken, or rocking in isolated spots, repointing or relay of individual slabs is usually enough. If the surface is uneven across a wide area, water is pooling, or the sub-base has failed, a full replacement is more cost-effective than repeated patch repairs. A survey will confirm which applies to your garden. ### Should I choose a patio or do something cheaper myself? DIY laying is possible for small areas on stable, well-drained ground, but an incorrect sub-base depth or fall will cause slabs to rock, crack, or hold water within a season. A properly installed patio on a compacted sub-base with correct drainage will outlast a DIY attempt by many years, making the installed cost the lower long-term spend. ## How It Works ### What is included in a new patio installation? A full installation covers excavation, sub-base preparation, laying the chosen material, porcelain, sandstone, limestone, or block paving, jointing, and a finished fall to drain water away. Drainage channels and edging can be included where needed. We schedule a site survey and quote all elements before work begins. ### How much ground preparation will my patio need? Most [patios](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/) require excavation to around 150-200 mm, followed by a compacted hardcore sub-base and a sand or mortar bed before slabs are laid. Clay ground or poor drainage may need additional depth or a geotextile membrane. The exact requirement depends on what is already there, which the survey will establish. ### Will you sort out drainage as part of the patio work? Yes, drainage is assessed and addressed as part of the installation. The finished surface is laid with a fall, typically 1:80, to move water away from the house. Where that is not enough, a channel drain or soakaway can be added. Tell us how your garden currently drains and we will schedule a survey to advise on the right solution. ### How long does it usually take to lay a new patio? A standard garden patio typically takes two to four days from excavation to finished jointing, depending on size and ground conditions. Larger areas, complex layouts, or drainage work will add time. A specific programme is given once the site has been surveyed and the scope agreed. ### How messy is the work and how tidy will you leave the garden? Excavation produces spoil and the sub-base materials create dust and debris during laying. Installers remove excavated material and waste as part of the job. The garden is left with the finished patio in place and surrounding areas reinstated; any lawn or planting disturbed during access is tidied before the team leaves. ### Can you lay a patio in a way that avoids water pooling near the house? Yes. The patio is laid with a fall directed away from the house, typically 1:80, so rainwater runs toward the garden rather than the foundations. Where the garden layout makes this difficult, a channel drain along the house wall collects and diverts water. Both approaches are standard practice and are specified at the survey stage. ### Do new-build garden patios need extra drainage because the ground can stay wet in winter? Yes, in most cases. New-build plots in Cambridge frequently have compacted or disturbed clay subsoil that drains slowly. A channel drain, soakaway, or permeable jointing compound is often specified alongside the standard fall to prevent winter waterlogging. Drainage is assessed at survey, and the right solution is included in the quote. ### Can a patio be laid soon after a new-build is finished if the ground is still settling? It is possible, but ground that is still settling increases the risk of movement after laying. Waiting six to twelve months after the build is completed gives the subsoil time to stabilise. If timing is critical, the survey can check ground conditions and advise whether proceeding now or waiting is the lower-risk option for your plot. ### Do I need planning permission for a garden patio? Most garden patios at ground level do not need planning permission. If the patio changes how surface water drains from the property, or if the property is listed, you should check with your local authority before work starts. ### Will a new patio fix my drainage problem? It can, if the falls and sub-base are specified correctly from the start. Poor drainage is usually a ground preparation issue. The installer checks the fall direction and damp-proof course clearance at survey stage, before any paving is laid. ### What happens if I delay getting the patio laid? Builder-waste-filled ground on new build sites can compact further over time, making excavation harder and more costly. Leaving bare or muddy ground also risks topsoil washing into drainage channels, which adds to the preparation work needed. ### Which patio material is best for a new build garden? Porcelain is low-maintenance and frost-resistant but needs a full mortar bed and primer slurry. Natural stone suits period and contemporary gardens. Concrete slabs offer value. Block paving suits areas that may need future access to services beneath. The installer advises at survey. ### How deep does the excavation need to be? Depth depends on the sub-base specification, bedding layer and slab thickness. On Cambridge clay, a deeper sub-base is usually needed to prevent seasonal movement. The installer confirms the required dig depth after assessing the ground at survey. ## Guarantees & Peace of Mind ### Do I need planning permission for a new garden patio? Most ground-level patios in a rear garden fall under permitted development and need no planning permission. Exceptions apply if the patio is raised, covers a large proportion of the front garden, or the property is in a conservation area or is listed. Any constraints are flagged during the survey. ### Will the finished patio stay level over time? A correctly prepared sub-base, compacted hardcore to the right depth, is what keeps a patio stable long-term. On clay ground, adequate depth and drainage are critical to prevent frost heave or settlement. Cutting corners on sub-base depth is the most common reason patios move; the survey will specify the correct build-up for your ground conditions. ### What happens if the patio starts moving or sinking after it is finished? Movement after installation usually points to sub-base failure, inadequate compaction, or an undetected drainage issue beneath the surface. Delaying investigation allows further settlement and can undermine adjacent areas. Contact the installer promptly; isolated sinking caught early is far cheaper to fix than a patio that has shifted across a wide area. ### Do I need permission if the patio is near a boundary or raised above the ground? A raised patio or terrace above 300 mm may require planning permission, as can structures close to a boundary that could affect neighbours’ amenity. Front garden patios that exceed a certain coverage also have restrictions. Any constraints are identified during the survey. If permission is needed, you apply before work starts. ## Tell Us About Your Patio Project We schedule a site survey and quote excavation, sub-base, bedding and paving as separate lines, so there are no hidden groundwork costs. [Start Your Enquiry](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/contact) ## Business details ### Contact - **Phone**: [07787 475312](tel:07787475312) - **Email**: [contact@cambridgepatios.co.uk](mailto:contact@cambridgepatios.co.uk) - **Based in**: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 - **Enquiries**: [Send an enquiry](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/contact) — We ask for your name, phone number, email and a message. ### Opening hours - **Monday**: 08:00 – 18:00 - **Tuesday**: 08:00 – 18:00 - **Wednesday**: 08:00 – 18:00 - **Thursday**: 08:00 – 18:00 - **Friday**: 08:00 – 18:00 - **Saturday**: 10:00 – 16:00 - **Sunday**: 10:00 – 16:00 [Business details](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/about/business.md)