What to know before a block paved patio in Barnstaple
Barnstaple has a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many older patios here are ready to be replaced or re-laid.
Sloping plots are common in the South West, which affects edging, steps and where the water runs.
How much does a block paved patio cost in Barnstaple?
For Barnstaple, our guide is £80–£140 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² patio is likely to be £1,850–£3,200. 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) | £80–£140 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £10–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£50 per metre |
| Step with block or brick riser and paved tread | £180–£350 per step |
| Typical channel drain run | £350–£1,000 |
Guide figures for the South West, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What does a block paved patio involve?
Block suits patios that join a block drive or path, small or awkward spaces where large slabs would need too many cuts, and gardens where you want a pattern such as basketweave or a circle feature. We lay patios to fall away from the house and below the damp-proof course, with edging that stops the blocks creeping into the lawn.
- Jointing sand and compaction
- Dig-out and compacted sub-base (around 100 mm for foot traffic)
- Layout marked out with you, including steps and doors
- Falls away from the house and doors
- Optional sealer
What we check on a Barnstaple survey
- Block range, colour, pattern and border to suit the house
- Ground conditions and how deep the dig must be
- Outside taps, lights and cables
- Manhole and inspection covers in the area
- Where rain will go: falls away from the house, onto lawn or borders, or into a channel
Do you need permission for a block paved patio in Barnstaple?
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
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Patios in Barnstaple: questions
Is the survey in Barnstaple 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 you cover Bideford, Tiverton and Exeter?
Yes. We cover Barnstaple and the places around it, including Bideford, Tiverton and Exeter, and the rest of Devon.
How much does a block paved patio cost in Barnstaple?
Our guide for Barnstaple is £80–£140 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² patio is usually about £1,850–£3,200. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Do I need planning permission for a block paved patio in Barnstaple?
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.
Patios near Barnstaple
Nearby towns we cover for patios, and patios across Devon:

