What to know before a block paved patio in Ely
Ely is a smaller town, and many homes have more garden to work with, which leaves room for borders, steps and planting around the paving.
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 Ely?
For Ely, our guide is £85–£145 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² patio is likely to be £1,950–£3,400. Smaller jobs cost more per square metre because set-up and waste costs do not shrink with the area.
| 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 does a block paved patio involve?
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.
- Falls away from the house and doors
- Dig-out and compacted sub-base (around 100 mm for foot traffic)
- Blocks in your pattern, edges and cuts
- Jointing sand and compaction
- Optional sealer
What we check on an Ely survey
- Block range, colour, pattern and border to suit the house
- Levels against the damp-proof course and door thresholds
- Edges against lawns, beds, fences and walls
- Outside taps, lights and cables
- Manhole and inspection covers in the area
Do you need permission for a block paved patio in Ely?
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
Tell us about the job
Use the form, the quote tool, WhatsApp or a call.
We take a look
A survey visit, or photos for smaller repair and cleaning jobs.
Price in writing
Every line itemised, including the dig, edging and drainage.
Booked and built
Agreed start date, then the work, the final clean-down and the joint top-up.
What you can expect from us
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
One point of contact
You deal with one team from survey to sign-off, with work carried out by paving teams working under S&K.
Patios in Ely: questions
How long does a block paved patio take?
Most patios and paths take two to five working days, depending on the size, any steps and the dig. Your quote gives the expected duration.
What happens to my old patio or lawn?
Old slabs, concrete or turf are dug out and taken away, listed as its own line on your quote.
Do you cover Newmarket, March and Cambridge?
Yes. We cover Ely and the places around it, including Newmarket, March and Cambridge, and the rest of Cambridgeshire.
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.
Patios near Ely
Nearby towns we cover for patios, and patios across Cambridgeshire:
- Patios in Newmarket
- Patios in March
- Patios in Cambridge
- Patios in Wisbech
- Patios in Huntingdon
- Patios in Peterborough
Other block paving services in Ely
Or see all block paving services in Ely.
