Planning a block paved patio in Exeter
Exeter has everything from small terrace yards to big gardens on newer estates, so the survey sets the layout, the levels and the dig.
The South West is wetter than the east of England, so falls and drainage are planned before the pattern is chosen.
How much does a block paved patio cost in Exeter?
For Exeter, 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?
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.
- 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
- Jointing sand and compaction
What the survey covers
- Ground conditions and how deep the dig must be
- Levels against the damp-proof course and door thresholds
- Block range, colour, pattern and border to suit the house
- Where rain will go: falls away from the house, onto lawn or borders, or into a channel
- Edges against lawns, beds, fences and walls
Do you need permission for a block paved patio in Exeter?
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.
How it works
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.
How we work
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Patios in Exeter: 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.
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.
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.
Is the survey in Exeter 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.
Patios near Exeter
Nearby towns we cover for patios, and patios across Devon:
