Your Budget

Working out how much you are going to spend on a new patio is the first step. This will have an impact on the style of paving you choose, how big the area will be and how you accessorise your patio. Is your budget for the whole garden, the patio and the furniture or just the patio?

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of materials and the cost of labour as well as the additional elements such as whether you will require the patio pointed, or any retaining walls built etc. If the stone that you want is too expensive and takes you over your budget, look at cheaper options that are similar in appearance.

The Location

Will the patio be an extension of the house beginning from the patio doors or will it be more of a central feature. Do you want it in the sunniest part of the garden so that it gets the sun for the best part of the day or do you want it in the sun but built beneath the shade of a tree.

Location is important, particularly in the height of summer. It’s not such an important consideration at night but you will need to think about heat and lighting.

The Rest of the Garden

The location of your patio is important for getting the best use out of it but also for how it sits with the rest of the garden. Do you need to consider the space that borders the patio? Will a brand new patio make the rest of the garden look old and tired

If you are having a new patio, have you factored in a garden refresh to update other areas or are you happy to just go ahead with this for now? What will border the patio and do you need to consider a makeover?

The Purpose of the Space

Whether you want a patio for entertaining, or just as a private relaxation space will determine where you build the patio, how large it will be, the style and how you accessorise it. If it’s intended as a private space, consider walls or fencing around it to keep it shut off from neighbours or people in your own house.

Which Paving to Use

The style of the paving you choose will depend on the following

• Your budget
• The colour you like
• The style of paving you prefer
• What is practical for the space
• How easy it is to maintain

The style of the stone that you use may be determined by the shape of the patio. Is it a round area that will need to commence at the middle with a circular stone and follow the pattern as the circle gets bigger or will it be more of a block paving where smaller stones have to be laid?

Some prefer smaller patio areas that are connected by stepping stone paths.

Is the stone that you are choosing hardwearing and easy to maintain. Consider how much footfall your patio may see and whether you need to find a stone that will withstand heavier use. How easy is the stone to clean and what are the maintenance instructions for this specific type of paving?

Who Will Fit Your Patio?

One of the six things to consider when installing a patio is ‘who will carry out the work?’ You need to feel confident that if you are spending that kind of money, you choose a reliable and reputable contractor that comes recommended.

Ask around or put a request for recommendations on social media. You want someone that is well known for quality work that isn’t going to disappear, never to be seen again.

Get a quote upfront for the work and ensure that it includes everything. You don’t want hidden extras appearing on the bill after the work is done.

Does the work include sealing, pointing, materials etc? You also want to consider the time of year that are looking to have the work completed. In spring/summer, these contractors will get booked up and you may face a wait of several weeks/months for the work to be done.

Planning a patio needn’t be stressful and if you follow our six things to consider before installing a new patio, you won’t go far wrong.

Of course, our experts are here to offer the benefit of their wisdom with help and advice.