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Patio design and installation
Create a practical space for outdoor dining, seating and enjoying your garden. Benchmark Paving installs patios from our Caterham base, helping you plan the material, size and layout around your home and the way you want to use the space.
We consider door thresholds, paths, lawn edges, steps and drainage as well as the paving itself. Arrange a free site visit to discuss the options and receive a no-obligation quotation for your project.
Compare patio materials
Porcelain paving
Outdoor porcelain offers a consistent manufactured appearance and a choice of colours and sizes. The selected product should suit outdoor use, and installation needs appropriate preparation, bedding, cutting and jointing.
Indian sandstone
Natural variations in colour and texture give sandstone patios individual character. Slab format, laying pattern and joint choice affect the overall look, while ongoing care helps keep the surface looking its best.
Concrete paving slabs
Precast paving slabs offer different sizes and finishes for seating areas and garden paths. This is slab paving rather than poured concrete; discuss the layout, edge details and finish that suit your space.
Brick paving
Smaller paving units can create patterns and contrasting borders, particularly where the patio connects with paths or other brickwork. Suitable paving units, base preparation and jointing are important.
Plan the patio around the whole garden
Start with the space you need for furniture, chairs to pull out and a comfortable route through the garden. Then consider the position of doors, existing paths, planting and any change in level. A border or step can make the transition between areas clearer.
A patio also needs a suitable supporting base, correct finished levels and a route for rainwater. These details should be planned before slabs are laid, particularly near the house. The paving choice and the preparation need to work together.
Garden walls and steps · Groundworks and drainage · Wider landscaping services
Patio layouts and completed work
Explore the existing patio photographs for ideas about shape, paving layouts and how the space meets the garden.
Grey patio with a contrasting border
See a completed Benchmark Paving patio with grey slabs and a contrasting border.
What affects a patio installation quote?
The size and material are starting points. Access to the garden, removing old paving, excavation, ground preparation, cutting, jointing, drainage and steps can all affect the work and price.
Photos and approximate dimensions are useful for an initial conversation. A visit allows us to assess access and levels and discuss what the quotation should include. If you are also considering decking, see our timber decking service.
From site visit to finished paving
1. Design and measure
Discuss furniture, access, materials and how the patio connects with the house and garden. Agree the layout, border details and proposed work.
2. Prepare and lay
Remove or prepare the existing surface as required, construct the supporting layers and drainage, then lay, cut and joint the paving for the chosen system.
3. Finish and look after it
Check the transitions to adjoining areas and discuss when furniture can be placed on the patio. Follow care advice for the selected paving and joints.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose porcelain or sandstone?
Porcelain has a more consistent manufactured finish, while natural sandstone has individual variations. Appearance, budget, product suitability and care requirements all matter. We can discuss samples and the look you want during the site visit.
Can you replace an old patio?
Yes. We can assess the existing paving, base, levels and drainage and discuss removal or preparation as part of the quotation. A new surface should not simply cover unresolved movement or drainage problems.
How much space do I need?
Allow for the furniture you want, room to move chairs and a clear route between doors, paths and the garden. Marking out the proposed area can help you judge the layout before work starts.
Can you include steps, borders and paths?
Yes. These can be planned alongside the patio so the materials and levels work together. Tell us which surrounding areas you want included when arranging the site visit.
How long does a new patio take?
Timing depends on size, access, ground preparation, materials and weather. We will discuss the expected programme and any setting time before the patio is used or furniture is placed on it.
Discuss your project
Tell us what you have in mind, the project location and any useful details about the current surface. Our team visits customers at their properties.
Call 0800 696 5894, 0208 485 6462 or 0746 460 7167.
Where we work
Our team is based in Caterham and travels to customers in Warlingham, Oxted, Croydon, Bromley, Orpington and East Grinstead. Contact us to check your project location and arrange a visit.