---
title: "Patios in Cambridge | Properly Installed & Specified"
description: "Patios in Cambridge laid with correct falls, sub-base and drainage. We schedule a survey that specifies the right material and quotes separately."
canonical: "https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/"
lastmod: "2026-10-05T11:28:40.315Z"
---

# Patios in Cambridge

![Patios work in Cambridge](https://utmost-ibex-736.convex.cloud/api/storage/ec8f8db4-169c-4a5b-824e-1b76b48e91f8)

A patio that sheds water away from the house, stays level and is quoted in full before work starts.

- **Site Survey First**: The ground is surveyed before any price is given.
- **Itemised Quotes**: Excavation, sub-base, bedding and paving listed as separate lines.
- **Four Material Options**: Porcelain, sandstone, limestone or block paving specified to suit the site.

## Patio installation from excavation to finished surface

Every job starts with a site survey, ground conditions, drainage and falls checked before a price is given.

- **Patios**: Full patio installation covering excavation, Type 1 sub-base, bedding and jointing.
- **[Porcelain Patios](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/porcelain-patios)**: Non-porous porcelain slabs laid on a full mortar bed with primer slurry and jointing compound.
- **[Indian Sandstone Patios](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/indian-sandstone-patios)**: Natural sandstone slabs, including Raj Green, laid on a mortar bed with sealed jointing compound.
- **[Limestone & Natural Stone Patios](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/limestone-natural-stone-patios)**: Limestone and natural stone slabs laid on a compacted sub-base with correct drainage falls.
- **[Block Paved Patios](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/block-paved-patios)**: Block paving laid on a compacted sub-base and bedding layer with jointing sand and edging restraints.
- **[Patio Extensions & Resurfacing](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/patio-extensions-resurfacing)**: Existing patio assessed for drainage, joint condition and slab stability before any work is quoted.
- **[Patio Steps & Raised Terraces](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/patio-steps-raised-terraces)**: Steps and raised terraces built with consistent rise and tread sizing, mortar bed and drainage fall.
- **[Garden Paths & Walkways](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/garden-paths-walkways)**: Paving slab, brick and natural stone paths laid on a compacted sub-base with edging and drainage.
- **[Patio Drainage & Levelling](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/patio-drainage-levelling)**: Fall direction checked with a laser level; slabs lifted, sub-base rebuilt and relaid to correct gradient.
- **[Patio Edging & Retaining Walls](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/patio-edging-retaining-walls)**: Edging blocks and retaining walls set on a compacted granular base with drainage and landscape adhesive.
- **[Patio Lighting & Finishing](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/patio-lighting-finishing)**: LED step lights, wall fittings and concealed low-voltage cabling fitted to an existing patio surface.
- **[Patio Cleaning, Repointing & Repair](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/patio-cleaning-repointing-repair)**: Pressure washing, joint raking, repointing with jointing compound and loose slab re-bedding.
- **[New Build Garden Patios](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/new-build-garden-patios)**: Full patio installation from excavation and sub-base through to jointing, edging and drainage falls.

- **Excavation & Ground Preparation**: Dig-out to the correct depth for sub-base and bedding.
- **Type 1 Sub-Base**: Compacted granular base layer sized to the load and ground conditions.
- **Falls & DPC Clearance Check**: Levels set so water drains away from the damp-proof course.
- **Mortar Bedding & Primer**: Full mortar bed with primer slurry for porcelain and natural stone.
- **Jointing & Sealing**: Jointing compound suited to the slab material, stone, porcelain or block.
- **Drainage Channels**: ACO channel drains specified where surface water needs a fixed outlet.
- **Edge Restraints**: Edging set on a compacted base to hold the paved area in line.
- **Repointing & Repair**: Joint raking, re-bedding and repointing to extend an existing surface.

## Where rushed patio work fails, and what a proper installation does differently

Most patio failures trace back to one of four preparation shortcuts. Here is what each one looks like and how it is avoided.

- **Sand Bed, No Falls**: Paving laid on loose sand without a set fall drains back to the house and can breach the damp-proof course over time.
  **Laser-Set Falls**: The fall direction is set with a laser level before bedding begins, so water sheds away from the building.
- **Porcelain on Sand**: Porcelain will not bond to a sand bed, without a full mortar bed and primer slurry, slabs lift within a season or two.
  **Full Mortar & Primer**: Each porcelain slab is back-primed and laid on a full mortar bed, giving a bond the material actually requires.
- **Thin Sub-Base**: Cambridgeshire clay shifts seasonally; a sub-base too shallow to carry the load causes slabs to sink and joints to open.
  **Depth to Suit Clay**: Sub-base depth is specified to the ground conditions found on site, not a one-size figure applied to every job.
- **Quote Without Dig-Out**: A price that excludes excavation and drainage looks low but grows once work starts and the ground is opened up.
  **Itemised Pricing**: Excavation, sub-base, bedding and paving are quoted as separate line items so the full cost is visible before work begins.

## Why choose Cambridge Patios?

We take enquiries from Cambridge property owners and schedule a survey that specifies the right materials and quotes every stage of the work.

- **Survey Before Any Price**: The site visit happens first, so the quote reflects actual ground conditions, not assumptions.
- **Separate Line-Item Quotes**: Excavation, sub-base, bedding and paving appear as individual lines, so nothing is buried in a lump sum.
- **Material Specified to the Site**: Porcelain, sandstone, limestone or block paving is recommended based on ground conditions and drainage, not just budget.
- **Drainage & DPC Checked First**: Falls, damp-proof course clearance and drainage are confirmed before any slab is placed or mortar is mixed.
- **Cambridge Gardens Understood**: Victorian terraces off Mill Road, 1930s semis in Cherry Hinton and new plots in Trumpington Meadows all get the same ground-up approach.

## Three steps from enquiry to a quoted, surveyed job

1. **Tell Us About the Garden**: Describe the size, what is down there now and how it currently drains, the more detail, the better.
2. **We Arrange a Site Survey**: The site visit checks levels, ground conditions, drainage and damp-proof course clearance.
3. **Receive an Itemised Quote**: Excavation, sub-base, bedding and paving are quoted as separate lines before any work is agreed.

[Start Your Enquiry](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/contact)

## What a proper patio installation actually involves

From the ground up: why preparation matters more than the slab you choose.

Most patio problems start below the surface. Cambridgeshire clay holds water and shifts with the seasons, so the excavation depth and sub-base specification have to match what is actually in the ground. A compacted Type 1 granular sub-base transfers the load evenly and gives the bedding layer a stable platform to sit on. Without it, slabs sink, joints open and water finds its way to the lowest point, which is often the house wall.

The bedding method depends on the material. Porcelain requires a full mortar bed and a primer slurry applied to the back of each slab before it is placed, without both, the slab will not bond and will lift. Indian sandstone varies in thickness across a single pack, so each slab is individually bedded to bring the surface to a consistent level. Limestone and concrete slabs follow the same mortar-bed approach, with jointing compound chosen to suit the stone type and exposure.

Falls and drainage are set before any slab goes down. A laser level identifies the correct gradient so water sheds away from the house and clear of the damp-proof course. Where the garden layout concentrates surface water in one spot, an ACO channel drain or a linear outlet is specified at the same time as the paving, not added as an afterthought once pooling appears. Edge restraints are set on a compacted base to hold the finished area in line for the long term.

[Start Your Enquiry](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/contact)

## Cambridge property owners who want the job done once

We schedule surveys for a range of property types across Cambridge and its villages.

- **Homeowners**: Cambridge homeowners who want a patio that stays level, drains correctly and does not need patching within a few years. We schedule a garden survey, with advice on porcelain, sandstone, limestone or block paving, and quote excavation, sub-base and paving as separate lines.
- **Property Developers**: Developers finishing Cambridge plots who need patio and hard-landscaping work quoted and completed to a fixed specification. We schedule a ground survey. Unsuitable material is cleared and every stage is quoted before work begins.
- **Landlords**: Landlords with Cambridge rental properties where an existing patio is cracked, uneven or draining back to the house. We schedule an assessment of whether repointing, lift-and-relay or a full replacement is the right fix, and quote accordingly.
- **Commercial Properties**: Commercial property owners in Cambridge who need a paved outdoor area specified to carry regular foot traffic and drain correctly. We schedule a site survey, specify the sub-base depth and material, and quote the work in full.

## Typical Patios Prices

| Job | Typical cost | Typical size |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small budget patio | £1,400-£2,400 | 10m² |
| Standard patio | £2,100-£4,800 | 20m² |
| Large patio | £3,500-£8,000 | 40m² |

These prices are estimates and often vary with the condition, size and scope of each job. Message or call us for a free, no-obligation quote.

[See all prices](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/pricing)

## Patios Specified & Laid Correctly

Cambridge Patios helps property owners get paving specified and laid correctly. Victorian terraces, 1930s semis and new-build gardens share the same failure: slabs on a thin sand bed with no falls, which rock, stain and drain back to the house. We schedule a ground survey, with advice on materials and a proper quote for every stage.

### Our Mission

We exist to take the guesswork out of patio projects for Cambridge property owners. We schedule a ground survey that checks the falls and damp-proof course, and quotes every stage of the work separately.

- **Transparency**: Quotes are broken into separate lines so every stage of the cost is visible before work starts.
- **Specificity**: Material and method are matched to the site conditions, not applied as a one-size default.
- **Preparation**: Falls, damp-proof course clearance and drainage are checked at survey, before any paving is laid.
- **Accountability**: The installer surveys the ground and owns the quote, so the price reflects what is actually there.

## Patios in Cambridge

We cover a wide area, with surveys scheduled by postcode.

- **[Cambridge](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/)**: Patio installation across Cambridge’s period streets
- **[Trumpington](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/areas/trumpington-cambridgeshire)**: Patio laying for Trumpington’s mix of village & modern homes.
- **[Great Shelford](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/areas/great-shelford-cambridgeshire)**: Patio installation for Great Shelford village homes.
- **[Sawston](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/areas/sawston-cambridgeshire)**: Patio installation for Sawston village properties
- **[Fulbourn](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/areas/fulbourn-cambridgeshire)**: Patio laying for fen-edge village homes in Fulbourn.
- **[Histon](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/areas/histon-cambridgeshire)**: Patio laying for Histon village plots & semis
- **[Cottenham](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/areas/cottenham-cambridgeshire)**: Patio installation for fen-edge village homes in Cottenham.
- **[Waterbeach](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/areas/waterbeach-cambridgeshire)**: Patio laying on fen-edge clay soils near Cambridge.
- **[Cambourne](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/areas/cambourne-cambridgeshire)**: Patio installation for Cambourne estate gardens.
- **[Northstowe](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/areas/northstowe-cambridgeshire)**: Patio installation for Northstowe new-build plots

### Check Whether We Cover Your Area

Tell us your postcode and we will confirm whether a survey and quote are available in your area.

[Start Your Enquiry](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/contact)

## Questions about patio installation in Cambridge

### How much does a new patio cost in the UK?

Most new patios come in at £1,400-£2,400, varying with size, material choice, and how much groundwork the site needs. Porcelain and natural stone sit at the higher end; concrete block paving tends to cost less. A site survey gives you a firm figure based on your actual garden.

### What is included in the price for a new patio?

A typical quote covers excavation, a compacted sub-base, bedding mortar or sand, the slabs or blocks themselves, and jointing. Edge restraints and basic falls for drainage are usually included. Any significant groundwork, such as breaking out an old patio or installing a soakaway, is normally quoted as a separate line.

### Is a patio right for my small garden?

Yes, a patio often works better than lawn in a small garden because it gives usable, low-maintenance space year-round. Lighter-coloured slabs such as limestone or porcelain can make a compact area feel larger. Keeping the layout simple and the jointing tight maximises every square metre.

### Will a patio work in an awkward-shaped garden?

Yes, though the material choice matters. Smaller block paving or modular slabs cut to size handle curves and irregular boundaries more cleanly than large-format porcelain, which produces more waste. A surveyor can advise on the best format for your specific shape before any material is ordered.

### Should I repair my old slabs or replace the whole patio?

If fewer than a quarter of the slabs are cracked or sunken and the sub-base is sound, targeted repair and repointing is usually cost-effective. Widespread sinking, crumbling mortar across the whole area, or a failed sub-base means replacement will be cheaper long-term than repeated patch repairs. A survey will tell you which applies. [Cleaning, repointing & repair](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/services/patio-cleaning-repointing-repair)

### Will my new patio crack or sink later on?

A correctly built patio, adequate sub-base depth, proper compaction, and accurate drainage falls, should not crack or sink under normal use. The risk rises sharply if the sub-base is too shallow or the ground was not compacted before laying. Ask your installer what sub-base specification they are using before work starts.

### What happens if the patio has problems after it is finished?

Contact us and we will share the contact details of the contractor that did the work. Document the issue with photos and note when it appeared. Most contractors return to inspect and, where the fault is workmanship-related, rectify it. Confirm the complaints process with your contractor at the point of agreeing the quote.

### Why is my existing patio cracking or sinking?

Cracking and sinking almost always trace back to a failed or inadequate sub-base. If the hardcore layer was too thin, poorly compacted, or laid over soft ground, slabs shift under load and frost. Tree roots undermining the base and water eroding the bedding mortar are also common causes. Repointing alone will not fix a sub-base problem.

[More questions?](https://www.cambridgepatios.co.uk/faq)

## Tell Us About Your Patio Project

Describe the garden, what is down there now and how it drains. We will schedule a site survey and quote excavation, sub-base, bedding and paving as separate lines.

[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)