While some households may have struggled to cope financially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, others have been able to spend more time and effort refurbishing their homes (either for resale or their own enjoyment).

In fact, according to the 2021 Houzz & Home survey of more than 3,000 UK respondents, the value of home renovation on these shores increased by 36% to a median £15,000.

One of the most popular home renovations revolves around the garden, particularly as home-owners look to make the most of all space at their disposal. If you’re tempted to install a new patio as part of this objective, however, what steps can you take to keep your costs down?

#1. Understand the Factors That Impact Costs

Before you install any new patio, you’ll need to create a manageable budget that sits within your means.

However, you’ll also have to understand the various factors that impact the cost of your new patio, so that your budget is also realistic and enables you to achieve optimal value for your hard-earned cash.

The most obvious factors are the size and location of your patio. For example, the total size of the area in square-footage creates scaling material and labour costs, while it stands to reason that laying a patio in West London will cost more than carrying out the same work in Lincoln (due to variations in the cost of living and local worker’s salary expectations).

Another key factor is your choice of slabs and materials, which will in turn be influenced by the scale of your project and desired aesthetic.

If you want to use materials that maintain their visual aesthetic and optimal functionality over time, for example, you’ll have to invest in a more expensive type of slab. The cost can fall when dealing with cheaper slabs and more competitively priced types of soil and clay, although this may also impact the overall quality of the final workmanship.

On a similar note, you may decide to utilise additional extras and materials to achieve a more stylish finish. These include lighting and raised bedding, which come in multiple forms and may only be available for a price premium.

On a final note, the cost of your patio project may depend on the existing access to the garden in question. The reason for this is simple; as restricted access may result in additional risks or equipment needs that incur further costs.

#2. Build on Flat Ground

Once you’ve understood these factors and created your budget, the next step is to choose the ideal location for your patio.

There’s a key rule to keep in mind here, as it’s generally far more expensive to lay slabs or build on gradient landscape, primarily because contractors will be required to build retaining and surrounding walls to help negate the slope.

Grading the soil beneath your patio can also add to the cost of your project, and this is far from ideal if you’re working to a tight budget.

Of course, the optimal solution is to identify a flat area without a slope. However, in instances where you can’t avoid a gradient, you’ll need to consider the options above to attempt to stabilise the soil with inexpensive erosion cloth or similar materials.

If you’re not sure about whether your land is sloped or not, just remember to create a financial contingency in your budget to help account for any additional costs.

#3. Work Around Existing Trees Where Possible

Not all gardens have been created equal, and many will have one or more trees dotted throughout the space.

When creating a flat and often squared installation such as a patio, the most obvious solution is to remove any existing trees that impact on the proposed project. However, this will create additional labour costs if you hire someone to remove the trees safely, which may also place unwanted pressure on your budget.

Where possible, a preferable alternative is to invest in considerably smarter and more creative designs, which can incorporate existing trees and turn them into a compelling design feature.

This may have practical advantages too; as a mature tree may be able to provide much-needed shade while acting as an awning or pergola.

Make no mistake; this creates further savings as you won’t have to build a synthetic shade structure and can establish as low-maintenance a patio space as possible!

#4. Buy Your Patio Materials During the Off-Season

We’ve already touched on the cost of patio materials, which can be combined to create unique and bespoke projects that suit your precise budget.

Of course, concrete is the material most synonymous with patio projects, while gravel (which is considered to be the least expensive paving material at barely £1 per square foot) is also widely used residentially throughout the UK.

There are an array of alternative options at the other end of the price spectrum, however, including aesthetically alluring materials such as bluestone, limestone and granite.

These materials can be challenging and time-consuming to work with too, as larger blocks often have to be carefully cut into thin layers to create stylish and effective flagstone pavers. Depending on your precise choice of stone, flagstone pavers can cost up to £20 per single square foot even without factoring in higher labour costs.

Regardless of your choice of material, you can strive to minimise costs and create a more organised project simply by ordering materials during the off-season. Remember, the demand to design patios and purchase materials increases during the summer, sending prices soaring as suppliers look to cash in.

Conversely, prices fall and become far more competitive during the winter, as demand declines and suppliers take proactive steps to increase their business.