Planning a block paved patio in Cambridge
Cambridge has everything from small terrace yards to big gardens on newer estates, so the survey sets the layout, the levels and the dig.
Clay soils are common in parts of the East of England, so drainage and sub-base depth get extra attention.
How much does a block paved patio cost in Cambridge?
Guide price in Cambridge: £85–£145 per m² including VAT, which puts a 20 m² patio at about £1,950–£3,400. These are East of England guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Block paved patio (concrete block) | £85–£145 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Step with block or brick riser and paved tread | £190–£370 per step |
| Typical channel drain run | £370–£1,050 |
Guide figures for the East of England, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What you get with our patios service
A block paved patio is a garden seating or dining area paved with concrete or clay blocks on a compacted base. Because a patio carries people and furniture rather than cars, the sub-base is thinner than for a drive, but the falls, edging and drainage matter just as much.
- Jointing sand and compaction
- Layout marked out with you, including steps and doors
- Dig-out and compacted sub-base (around 100 mm for foot traffic)
- Optional sealer
- Blocks in your pattern, edges and cuts
What we check on a Cambridge survey
- Access for a mini-digger and how waste leaves the garden
- Ground conditions and how deep the dig must be
- Manhole and inspection covers in the area
- Trees and roots near the paving
- Outside taps, lights and cables
Do you need permission for a block paved patio in Cambridge?
A patio or path behind the house does not usually need planning permission. Raised patios, listed buildings and flats can be different, so we check on the survey.
Paving in front of the house follows the front-garden rules: in England, a front drive over 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn or border within your boundary.
From enquiry to finished paving
Send the basics
Postcode, what you need and a rough size. Photos help.
Survey
We measure, check levels, ground and drainage, and talk through blocks and patterns.
Written quote
An itemised quote with the specification, the price and the start date.
The work
Our paving team builds it to the agreed specification and leaves the site swept.
How we work
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Patios in Cambridge: questions
Can the paving be level with the back door?
Paving normally sits at least 150 mm below the damp-proof course. A level step-out needs a drainage channel against the house and careful detailing, which we agree on the survey.
Is the survey in Cambridge free?
Yes, for new paving here: the survey and written quote are free with no obligation. Repairs and cleaning are usually priced from photos, or from a short visit where needed.
Do I need planning permission for a block paved patio in Cambridge?
Not usually for a patio or path behind the house. Raised patios, listed buildings and flats can be different, and paving in front of the house follows the front-garden rules. In England, a front drive over 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn or border within your boundary.
How much does a block paved patio cost in Cambridge?
Our guide for Cambridge is £85–£145 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² patio is usually about £1,950–£3,400. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Patios near Cambridge
Nearby towns we cover for patios, and patios across Cambridgeshire:
