Patios in Sandwell

Planning your patio in Sandwell

Your patio won't normally need planning permission or Building Regulations approval. The exception is a listed building in Sandwell, where changes may need listed building consent from Sandwell Council.

Spot-bedded slabs on dabs of mortar are more likely to rock and crack.
Porcelain needs a bonding primer and a full mortar bed to stay fixed.
Natural sandstone in Sandwell gardens can pick up algae in shade, so sealing is worth considering.

Postcode district: All Sandwell postcodes
Planning and building control: Sandwell Council
From our West Bromwich base: About 1 mile to the centre

Which option fits your home?

Indian sandstone

A natural stone in buff, grey, brown and mixed tones, with either a riven, textured surface or a smooth sawn finish. Every slab is slightly different, giving a traditional look. Sandstone is more porous than porcelain, so it can weather and pick up algae, and many people seal it after laying to make cleaning easier.

Porcelain paving

Thin, dense tiles made for outdoor use, with very low water absorption, so they resist staining, moss and fading. Porcelain needs a bonding primer on the back of each slab and a full mortar bed, because ordinary mortar won't stick to it. It's precise to cut and lay, which shows in the price, but it's easy to keep clean.

Guide prices for Sandwell

For a home in Sandwell, our guide range is £90–£230 per m². Indian sandstone on a full sub-base and mortar bed, including dig-out and waste: usually £120–£170 per m².

Guide prices for patios
Option	Guide price	Good to know
Concrete flags	£90 – £130 per m²	Lowest cost, wide range of colours
Indian sandstone	£120 – £175 per m²	Natural riven or sawn finish
Porcelain paving	£140 – £230 per m²	Low maintenance, primed and fully bedded

Guide ranges include VAT where it applies. Your fixed price for the agreed specification follows a free survey at your Sandwell address.

Questions about patios in Sandwell

How much does a new patio cost?

In the West Midlands, patios usually cost around £90–£130 per m² in concrete flags, £120–£175 per m² in Indian sandstone and £140–£230 per m² in porcelain, laid on a full sub-base with waste removal. A 20 m² sandstone patio therefore typically costs about £2,400–£3,500. Steps, walls and drainage are priced as extra lines.

Do you cover the whole of Sandwell?

Yes — we cover Sandwell from our West Bromwich base, including Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Call 0800 088 6248 or send the form on this page to book a free survey.

Porcelain or natural stone: which should I choose?

Porcelain is the easiest to keep clean, resists stains and moss, and gives a consistent colour. Natural stone has more variation and character, feels softer underfoot and costs a little less, but it's more porous and benefits from sealing. Many people choose porcelain for a contemporary look and sandstone for a traditional garden.

Does Sandwell Council need to approve my patio?

Not normally. The exception is a listed building, where Sandwell Council would need to give listed building consent first.

Patios across Sandwell

We cover every town and district below:

Nearby places we cover

More services in Sandwell

See paving samples in your own garden light by booking a free patio survey in Sandwell.