Planning a block paved patio in St Albans
Across St Albans, gardens range from narrow terrace plots to wide modern ones, and the best block, pattern and drainage choice changes with them.
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 St Albans?
Guide price in St Albans: £85–£145 per m² including VAT, which puts a 20 m² patio at about £1,950–£3,400. These are East of England guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| 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 you get with our patios service
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.
- Dig-out and compacted sub-base (around 100 mm for foot traffic)
- Jointing sand and compaction
- Blocks in your pattern, edges and cuts
- Layout marked out with you, including steps and doors
- Optional sealer
Before we price your block paved patio
- Trees and roots near the paving
- Steps, walls and changes of level
- Manhole and inspection covers in the area
- Ground conditions and how deep the dig must be
- Outside taps, lights and cables
Do you need permission for a block paved patio in St Albans?
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
Quick details
Your postcode and the job. It takes a minute.
On-site check
Measurements, levels against the damp-proof course, ground and drainage.
Itemised quote
Fixed once the specification is agreed, with no vague extras.
Laid and finished
Compacted, jointed and handed back clean.
What you can expect from us
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Patios in St Albans: 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.
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.
Do you cover Harpenden, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead?
Yes. We cover St Albans and the places around it, including Harpenden, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead, and the rest of Hertfordshire.
Is the survey in St Albans 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 St Albans
Nearby towns we cover for patios, and patios across Hertfordshire:
- Patios in Harpenden
- Patios in Hatfield
- Patios in Hemel Hempstead
- Patios in North Watford
- Patios in Welwyn Garden City
- Patios in Borehamwood
