What to know before a block paved patio in Harpenden
Homes in Harpenden include plenty of semis and detached houses with gardens big enough for a patio and a path to the gate.
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 Harpenden?
Expect block paved patios in Harpenden to come in at around £85–£145 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 20 m² patio usually comes to between £1,950 and £3,400.
| 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 is included?
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.
- Dig-out and compacted sub-base (around 100 mm for foot traffic)
- Falls away from the house and doors
- Blocks in your pattern, edges and cuts
- Optional sealer
- Layout marked out with you, including steps and doors
What the survey covers
- Where rain will go: falls away from the house, onto lawn or borders, or into a channel
- Access for a mini-digger and how waste leaves the garden
- Steps, walls and changes of level
- Manhole and inspection covers in the area
- Outside taps, lights and cables
Do you need permission for a block paved patio in Harpenden?
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.
What happens next
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
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
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.
Patios in Harpenden: questions
Is the survey in Harpenden 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.
How much does a block paved patio cost in Harpenden?
Our guide for Harpenden 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.
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.
Patios near Harpenden
Nearby towns we cover for patios, and patios across Hertfordshire:
- Patios in St Albans
- Patios in Hemel Hempstead
- Patios in Welwyn Garden City
- Patios in Hatfield
- Patios in Stevenage
- Patios in North Watford
