Planning a block paved patio in Canterbury
Homes in Canterbury include plenty of semis and detached houses with gardens big enough for a patio and a path to the gate.
Chalk, clay and sandy ground all occur across the South East, so the dig and sub-base depth are set on the survey rather than assumed.
How much does a block paved patio cost in Canterbury?
In the South East, a block paved patio usually costs £85–£150 per m² including VAT. For a 20 m² patio, that is roughly £2,000–£3,500. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Block paved patio (concrete block) | £85–£150 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£45 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Step with block or brick riser and paved tread | £195–£380 per step |
| Typical channel drain run | £380–£1,100 |
Guide figures for the South East, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What you get with our patios service
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
- Blocks in your pattern, edges and cuts
- Jointing sand and compaction
- Falls away from the house and doors
- Dig-out and compacted sub-base (around 100 mm for foot traffic)
What the survey covers
- Access for a mini-digger and how waste leaves the garden
- Trees and roots near the paving
- Where rain will go: falls away from the house, onto lawn or borders, or into a channel
- Ground conditions and how deep the dig must be
- Edges against lawns, beds, fences and walls
Do you need permission for a block paved patio in Canterbury?
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Patios in Canterbury: questions
How much does a block paved patio cost in Canterbury?
Our guide for Canterbury is £85–£150 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² patio is usually about £2,000–£3,500. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Is the survey in Canterbury 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.
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.
Patios near Canterbury
Nearby towns we cover for patios, and patios across Kent:
- Patios in Whitstable
- Patios in Herne Bay
- Patios in Faversham
- Patios in Ashford, Kent
- Patios in Folkestone
- Patios in Deal
