Planning a block paved patio in Swanley
Around Swanley, gardens are often larger, so falls, steps and where the water goes need planning.
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 Swanley?
Expect block paved patios in Swanley to come in at around £85–£150 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 20 m² patio usually comes to between £2,000 and £3,500.
| 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 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.
- Jointing sand and compaction
- Layout marked out with you, including steps and doors
- Optional sealer
- Blocks in your pattern, edges and cuts
- Falls away from the house and doors
What we check on a Swanley survey
- Ground conditions and how deep the dig must be
- Trees and roots near the paving
- Outside taps, lights and cables
- Levels against the damp-proof course and door thresholds
- Access for a mini-digger and how waste leaves the garden
Do you need permission for a block paved patio in Swanley?
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.
What you can expect from us
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
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.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Patios in Swanley: questions
Do I need planning permission for a block paved patio in Swanley?
Not usually for a patio or path behind the house. Raised patios, listed buildings and flats can be different, and 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 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.
How much does a block paved patio cost in Swanley?
Our guide for Swanley 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.
Patios near Swanley
Nearby towns we cover for patios, and patios across Kent:
- Patios in Dartford
- Patios in Sevenoaks
- Patios in Gravesend
- Patios in Strood
- Patios in Rochester
- Patios in Tonbridge
