Garden Paving
A level, well-drained patio surface that stays put through Cambridge’s wet winters and clay-heavy ground.
What Goes Wrong
The failure is almost always in the preparation, not the slab.
A sub-base under 100mm on Cambridge clay compresses unevenly, causing slabs to rock and crack within a season.
A compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base at the right depth for ground conditions prevents movement before bedding begins.
A flat patio on clay-heavy ground holds surface water, leaving puddles and accelerating joint and slab deterioration.
The drainage fall is set during levelling, not added as an afterthought, so water runs clear from day one.
Porcelain laid on a loose sand-only bed cracks under point loads because the dense material needs a rigid, stable base.
Porcelain goes on a semi-dry mortar bed; natural stone is back-buttered to account for thickness variation across the batch.
Construction traffic compacts and contaminates topsoil in new build gardens, making it an unstable base for any paved surface.
Affected topsoil is excavated fully and replaced with compacted sub-base material before any bedding or laying begins.
Materials & Scope
Each material is quoted as a separate line item so you can compare options before committing.
Dense, frost-resistant slabs with a low-maintenance finish, laid on a semi-dry mortar bed for stability.
Sandstone, limestone, and slate options, back-buttered individually to account for natural thickness variation.
A cost-effective surface for larger areas, available in a range of finishes and laid on a compacted sub-base.
Individual clay or concrete blocks set in sand, allowing single-unit replacement if damage occurs later.
Excavation and compacted MOT Type 1 base layer.
Concrete haunching or block edging to retain the perimeter.
Kiln-dried sand or jointing compound finished flush.
Fall and run-off verified before sign-off.
Why Choose Us
Local ground knowledge, separate quotations, and a clear process from survey to sign-off.
Each element, patio, edging, drainage, jointing, is quoted separately so you see exactly what you are paying for.
Clay soil conditions and new build compaction issues are factored into every survey and sub-base specification.
Ground levels and drainage are checked before any material is ordered, avoiding costly changes mid-installation.
The completed surface is checked for level and run-off before the job is closed, not left to the customer to discover.
Every enquiry is scoped to the same preparation standards.
The Process
Describe the area, the ground conditions, and how you want to use the space so the survey is focused.
A site visit checks levels, drainage, and ground conditions, then quotes each element separately.
Sub-base, bedding, laying, and jointing are completed, then the fall and level are checked before handover.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small patio | £1,675-£2,500 |
| Standard patio | £2,500-£4,000 |
| Large patio | £4,000-£6,000 |
| Driveway paving | £4,800-£14,400 |
Common Questions
Guide prices run from £1,675-£2,500 (Small patio) to £4,800-£14,400 (Driveway paving). The figure rises when excavation is deeper than expected, when the ground needs levelling, when a premium material like porcelain is chosen over concrete, or when access is tight and materials must be carried by hand.
The two most common causes are ground conditions and material choice. Clay soil often needs deeper excavation and a thicker sub-base, adding labour and skip costs. Choosing porcelain or natural stone over concrete flags can double the material cost alone. A site visit before any figure is agreed avoids most surprises.
Concrete paving flags are the most affordable option and come in a range of finishes that suit most gardens. Riven-effect concrete slabs in particular mimic the look of natural stone at a fraction of the price. Laid on a proper mortar bed and pointed correctly, they perform well and last many years.
Porcelain slabs are low-maintenance and frost-resistant, making them well suited to the wet Cambridge climate. Natural sandstone gives a warmer look but needs sealing. Concrete flags are the most cost-effective and widely available. The right choice depends on your budget, the garden’s style, and how much upkeep you want.
No. Sand alone does not provide a stable enough base. Slabs laid on sand shift, rock and allow water to pool underneath, which accelerates frost damage. A compacted hardcore sub-base followed by a mortar bed is the correct method for a patio that stays level and lasts.
They need a proper base. Slabs laid directly on soil will sink unevenly within one or two winters, particularly on clay ground. The correct build-up is compacted hardcore, a sharp sand and cement bed, then the slabs, pointed with a suitable mortar. Skipping any layer shortens the patio’s life significantly.
Ground preparation typically covers excavation to the required depth, removal of spoil, compaction of a hardcore sub-base, and screeding a mortar bed before slabs are laid. The depth of excavation varies by ground conditions. Any additional drainage work is quoted separately rather than bundled into the patio price.
A 20 square metre patio typically takes two to three days from excavation to final pointing. Day one covers digging out and compacting the sub-base; day two covers laying and bedding the slabs; day three covers pointing and clean-up. Drying time before the patio can be used is usually a further 24 to 48 hours.
We cover Patios & Paving in and around Cambridge, including Trumpington, Great Shelford, Sawston, Fulbourn, Histon, Cottenham, Waterbeach, Cambourne and Northstowe. If your area isn’t listed, send us a quick message to check.
Describe the plot, the soil, and how you want to use the space. We schedule a ground survey and quote each element separately.