1. The slabs are the small part
Most UK homeowners think of a patio as "slabs and grout". In practice, the slab cost is a fraction of the job. The price is dominated by excavation, sub-base, edging, drainage, waste removal and access — and these are the items that quietly inflate the final bill if they aren't priced up front.
2. Excavation and dig depth
A proper patio is dug out, not laid on top of grass. The quote should say how deep the dig is, how the spoil will be removed and whether a skip or grab lorry is included. "Excavation included" with no depth is not really included.
3. Sub-base and bedding
A patio that lifts, dips or rocks usually has a sub-base problem. The quote should specify the depth of MOT type 1, the bedding method (full bed of mortar vs. dots), and whether a primer/slurry is used on porcelain. Vague wording here is a red flag.
4. Edging, falls and drainage
Patios need a fall (usually around 1:80) away from the house and edges that don't move. Ask how edges are restrained and where surface water goes. UK planning rules can require permeable paving or a soakaway on front gardens above a certain area.
5. Pointing, sealing and finish
Pointing method matters. Brush-in compounds, slurry grouts and traditional mortar all behave differently. Sealing porcelain or natural stone is sometimes included, sometimes not — get it in writing.
6. Access, protection and reinstatement
How will materials get to the back garden? Through the house, side gate, neighbour's drive, lifted over a fence? Will the lawn, driveway or interior floors be protected? Will damage be made good? These should be priced, not assumed.
7. Waste, skips and parking
Skip hire, skip permits, grab lorries, parking suspensions and waste transfer notes all carry real cost. If they're not in the quote, you will see them on the invoice.
8. VAT, payments and guarantee
Confirm whether the price includes VAT, what the payment stages are, and what guarantee covers the workmanship. A reasonable UK patio contractor will give you a clear written guarantee on the laying, separate from any manufacturer guarantee on the slabs.
Sanity-check your patio quote
The free Builder Quote Checklist walks through scope, VAT, payment terms and red flags in a printable format you can use on any patio or landscaping quote. If you have two or three quotes to compare, the Homeowner Quote Checker Packgives you a side-by-side scoring grid.
Use this on your actual project
The free Builder Quote Checklist gives you a short printable pack to sanity-check any UK builder quote. The Free Builder Quote Checklist goes further with the exact ground covered in this article.
The Builder's Brief UK provides practical homeowner guidance based on real trade experience. It is not legal, financial, architectural, structural engineering, planning or building-control advice, and is not a replacement for project-specific guidance from suitably qualified professionals.