New Patio Install
A properly excavated, drained patio that stays level, from bare ground to finished surface.
What Goes Wrong
Cutting corners on dig depth leaves builder waste and soft fill beneath the slabs, which compress unevenly under load.
The installer excavates to a depth that accounts for sub-base, bedding layer and slab thickness before any material is laid.
Sand or soil used directly under slabs shifts with Cambridge clay’s seasonal movement, causing slabs to rock and joints to open.
Type 1 crushed stone is laid and compacted in stages, giving a stable platform that resists clay heave and settlement.
Porcelain laid on a semi-dry mix without primer slurry will lift within months, the bond between slab and bed fails.
Porcelain gets a full mortar bed and primer slurry; natural stone and concrete slabs are laid on a semi-dry mix.
Water draining back to the house can breach the damp-proof course, causing damp internally and voiding building warranties.
The surface is screeded to fall away from the house, clearing the damp-proof course by at least 150 mm throughout.
Scope of Work
From the first spade in the ground to the last joint filled, the full scope of a new patio laid from scratch.
Dig-out to the correct depth, removal of builder waste, and levelling of the formation layer before any base material is laid.
Type 1 crushed stone compacted in stages, then a screeded bedding layer set to the correct drainage fall.
Concrete, natural stone, porcelain or brick paving laid to the agreed pattern, with edging restraints haunched in place.
Jointing compound applied once the surface is checked for level and fall, with any ACO channel drain connected at the low edge.
Full mortar bed and primer slurry required for a lasting bond.
Sandstone or limestone on a semi-dry mix bedding layer.
Cost-effective option laid on a semi-dry mix bed.
Sand-bedded and compacted with kiln-dried jointing sand.
Set at the low edge and connected to a suitable outlet.
Why Choose Us
Local knowledge of Cambridge ground conditions, clear quoting and the right material matched to your site.
Every survey accounts for Cambridge clay conditions and specifies sub-base depth accordingly from the start.
Excavation, sub-base, bedding and paving are quoted as separate lines, no groundwork costs buried in a single figure.
Porcelain, sandstone, limestone or block paving is specified on site, matched to the ground conditions and your budget.
Surveys regularly cover new build estates where construction waste beneath topsoil changes the excavation spec.
Falls and damp-proof course clearance are confirmed at survey, not adjusted after the slabs are already down.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost | Typical size |
|---|---|---|
| Small new-build patio | £1,400-£2,500 | 10m² |
| Standard new-build patio | £2,500-£5,500 | 20m² |
| Larger new-build patio | £4,500-£9,000 | 40m² |
Common Questions
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.
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 covers this in more detail.
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.
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.
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.
Most patios 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.
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.
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.
Describe the garden, what is down there now and how it drains. We will schedule a survey and quote the work properly.