Planning a block paved patio in Christchurch
Christchurch has a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many older patios here are ready to be replaced or re-laid.
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 Christchurch?
Guide price in Christchurch: £80–£140 per m² including VAT, which puts a 20 m² patio at about £1,850–£3,200. These are South West guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| 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 is included?
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.
- Blocks in your pattern, edges and cuts
- Jointing sand and compaction
- Dig-out and compacted sub-base (around 100 mm for foot traffic)
- Optional sealer
- Layout marked out with you, including steps and doors
Before we price your block paved patio
- Outside taps, lights and cables
- Access for a mini-digger and how waste leaves the garden
- Edges against lawns, beds, fences and walls
- Ground conditions and how deep the dig must be
- Manhole and inspection covers in the area
Do you need permission for a block paved patio in Christchurch?
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
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.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Patios in Christchurch: 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.
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.
Is the survey in Christchurch 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 Christchurch
Nearby towns we cover for patios, and patios across Dorset:
