Patio laying in Exeter
Professional patio laying services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote required
Typical Duration
2-5 days
Location
Exeter, Devon
New garden patios built from scratch with proper foundations and drainage. I excavate, prepare the base correctly, and lay your chosen material to perfect levels - a patio that'll still be solid in 20 years.
A Patio That Actually Lasts
There's a massive difference between slabs chucked on sand and a properly laid patio with decent foundations.
One stays level, drains beautifully, and looks great for decades. The other sinks, puddles form, slabs crack, and you're calling someone back in five years to fix it.
I do it properly: excavate to the right depth, lay compacted hardcore, install paving to perfect levels with designed falls. The groundwork takes time but it's what makes everything last.
💡 Pro tip: A patio is only as good as what's underneath it. Spend money on foundations, not fancy slabs. Even basic concrete slabs look good if they're perfectly level and well-pointed.
Why Foundation Work Matters
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Excavated 150-200mm deep | Slabs laid straight on soil |
| Compacted MOT Type 1 hardcore base | No proper foundation |
| Designed falls (1:60) for drainage | Water pools in puddles |
| Stays level for 20+ years | Sinking and cracking in 2-3 years |
| Joints stay sealed and solid | Slabs rocking, sand washing out |
What You Get
🔧 The Complete Patio Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Planning | Measure up, discuss materials, mark out area |
| Excavation | Dig out to proper depth, barrow away soil |
| Foundation | Lay MOT Type 1 hardcore, compact thoroughly |
| Bedding layer | Screed sharp sand perfectly level |
| Paving | Lay slabs/blocks to exact levels with falls |
| Pointing | Fill joints properly, clean off, ready to use |
📦 You're Left With:
- Perfectly level patio with proper drainage
- Solid foundation that won't move
- Professional finish to be proud of
- Garden ready to enjoy
Popular Material Choices
What suits your style and budget:
| Material | Look | Approx Cost/m² | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slabs | Clean, modern | £80-90 | Budget-conscious, contemporary gardens |
| Indian sandstone | Natural, elegant | £100-120 | Traditional gardens, warm tones |
| Porcelain tiles | Sleek, minimal | £120-150 | Modern designs, low maintenance |
| Block paving | Classic, versatile | £90-110 | Driveways, traditional courtyards |
| Natural stone | Premium, unique | £150+ | Period properties, high-end finish |
Prices include materials and installation with proper foundations.
What Affects Your Quote
| Factor | Impact on Cost |
|---|---|
| Patio size | More square metres = more materials and labour |
| Excavation | Heavy clay or solid ground takes longer to dig |
| Access | Narrow side gate = more barrowing, adds time |
| Material choice | Natural stone costs more than concrete |
| Ground prep | Sloping or uneven ground needs extra work |
| Edging/features | Steps, raised beds, different levels add time |
Every garden is different. I'll visit, measure up, and give you an exact quote.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Old patio past it - cracked, sunken, or just tired and dated
✅ New build - garden needs finishing off properly
✅ Outdoor living - want proper space for dining, entertaining
✅ Adding value - good patio makes house more saleable
Why Choose Us for Patio laying in Exeter?
Proper excavation and foundation work
Perfect levels with designed drainage falls
Choice of materials to suit your style
Built to handle Devon weather long-term
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Visit & Quote
I come round, measure your garden, discuss what you want and materials you like. You'll get a detailed quote covering everything - groundwork, materials, labour, waste disposal.
Step 2: Groundworks
Mark out the area, excavate to proper depth, barrow away the soil. Then lay and compact the hardcore foundation - this is the crucial work that determines how long your patio lasts.
Step 3: Paving & Finishing
Once the base is solid and level, I lay your chosen material to exact levels with a slight fall for drainage. Point all the joints, clean everything off, job done. Time to get the furniture out.
🔧 DIY Tips
Laying a patio yourself is hard graft but definitely achievable if you're practical. Here's the right way:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Spade, shovel, wheelbarrow, rake
- Wacker plate (hire from tool shop)
- String lines and pegs
- Long spirit level (1.2m minimum)
- Rubber mallet and club hammer
- Pointing trowel and bucket
- Screed rails for sand layer
📐 Getting foundations right
- Mark out exact patio area with string lines
- Excavate minimum 150mm deep (200mm for heavy use)
- Compact the earth base with wacker plate
- Lay 100mm MOT Type 1 hardcore, compact in 50mm layers
- Add 40-50mm sharp sand, screed level using rails
- You now have a solid base ready for paving
🪨 Laying the slabs
- Always fall away from house (1:60 gradient = 16mm per metre)
- Start from house wall or straight edge
- Work backwards so you're standing on finished work
- Tap each slab level with rubber mallet
- Check levels constantly - both directions
- Keep joints consistent (8-10mm usually)
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not excavating deep enough - patio sinks
- Skipping the compaction - base settles unevenly
- No fall for drainage - water puddles against house
- Rushing the job - levels all over the place
- Laying when rain forecast - washes your work away
- Not ordering enough materials - annoying delays
💡 Pro trick: Hire a wacker plate (vibrating compactor) for hardcore. It's £30-40 per day and absolutely essential. Hand tamping never gets it solid enough. Also hire a mixer if you're pointing - way easier than mixing by hand.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌧️ Weather matters: Patio laying needs dry weather. Can't compact wet hardcore properly, and rain washes away pointing before it sets. Plan for late spring through early autumn ideally.
Doing other garden work? Get the patio done first. Having a solid working area makes everything else easier - you can stack materials, work from a level surface, and you're not churning up new lawn.
Planning permission? You don't usually need it for patios under 5m² that aren't raised. Larger patios might need permission if they affect drainage. I can advise based on your specific plans.
Old Exeter gardens? I'm well used to narrow side access (everything comes through the house sometimes!), sloping plots, wonky boundaries, and tree roots. Pretty much standard for older properties round here. We'll figure out what works for your specific garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's involved in laying a new patio?
It's proper groundwork: excavate the area, put in compacted hardcore base (100-150mm), add sharp sand, then lay your chosen paving material to exact levels with a slight fall for drainage. The foundation is everything - skip it and your patio will sink or crack within a few years.
How much does a new patio cost?
Patio laying is quoted per job because every garden is different. Rough guide: £80-120 per square metre for standard slabs with proper foundations. Indian sandstone or block paving might be more. I'll give you an exact quote once I've measured up and you've chosen materials.
How big a patio should I have?
For dining, minimum 3m x 3m gives you space for a table and chairs. Bigger is usually better - patios always feel smaller once furniture's on them. I can advise on proportions for your garden when I visit. Don't go too big though - you still want some lawn or planting.
Can you lay a patio on my sloping Exeter garden?
Yes - sloping gardens are really common around here. Options are: build up a level platform with retaining edge, create terraced levels with steps, or follow the natural slope with designed falls. We'll work out what suits your space and budget best.
How long before I can use a new patio?
You can walk carefully on slabs after 24-48 hours, but I'd give it 3-4 days before putting furniture out or having a BBQ. The base needs time to settle and the pointing to cure. I'll give you exact timings when the job's done.
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