Landscaping · Brighton, Hove and nearby
Patios and paths
We build new patios and paths across Brighton, Hove and the surrounding area, either alongside a new artificial lawn or as a job on their own. Patio work is quoted after a free, no-obligation survey.
What we look at
A patio has to drain. We plan the falls so rainwater runs away from the house and does not end up against a neighbour’s wall or pooling by the back door.
Levels matter where a patio meets a lawn, steps, decking or a doorway. We line those up so the garden feels finished rather than pieced together.
Access affects the job. Many gardens in Brighton and Hove have no side access, so we plan how paving and base materials will get in and how waste will come out.
How a patio is built
The exact build-up depends on the ground and the paving, and is confirmed at the survey. In outline, the old surface is taken up, the ground is dug out to the right depth, and a compacted sub-base is laid. A laying course goes on top, then the paving is set to the planned falls and jointed.
On chalk, the ground often drains freely, but a patio still needs a designed fall and a place for the water to go, especially on a slope or in a tight city yard with little open soil. On lower or heavier ground, in places such as Shoreham-by-Sea, Portslade and the Ouse valley in Lewes, we look more carefully at whether a channel drain, a soakaway or another outlet should be part of the job.
Edges are fixed so the paving cannot creep, and we check door thresholds, step risers and any existing drains before the first slab goes down. If an existing gully or manhole sits in the new paved area, it has to be designed around, not covered over.
Patios with a new lawn
A lot of the patios we build are part of a wider job: a sitting area by the house, a path down the garden and an artificial lawn beyond it, sometimes with sleepers or a raised bed. Doing it together means one survey, one quote and one set of levels.
That also helps with drainage. Water that leaves the patio should not flood the lawn base, and a new lawn should not shed water back towards the house. Planning both at once is simpler than adding a patio later and having to cut into a finished lawn.
Materials and finish
We talk through paving options on the survey rather than selling one product. Porcelain, concrete flags and natural stone each look and wear differently, and they are not all laid in quite the same way. We will also discuss colour and texture in the context of the house, the amount of shade, and how close you are to the sea, where salt and wind can be harder on some finishes and on any metal fittings.
Paths are part of the same work: a route from the back door to a gate, a shed or the new lawn, with the same attention to falls and to how the path meets the grass or a sleeper edge. In a small Kemptown or central Brighton yard, the patio may take up most of the space, with planting in raised beds rather than open borders.
After the patio is down
Once the joints have set, the patio is ready to use. Keep soil and leaves from sitting in the joints for long periods, and sweep it now and then. We can explain any aftercare that depends on the paving you choose, including what not to use on the surface. All patio works are guaranteed, and the price is confirmed at the free survey. There is no minimum charge.
Price
Patios work is quoted after a free, no-obligation survey, because size, ground, access and materials all change the figure. There is no minimum charge and all works are guaranteed. If you are also thinking about a new lawn, artificial grass is typically £55–£65 per m² installed, as a guide.
Where we do this
We are based in Brighton and cover the city and the surrounding towns and villages. Patios comes up often in Brighton, Hove, Kemptown, Portslade, Lewes. Each area page has notes on local gardens, ground and access.
- Brighton
- Hove
- Saltdean
- Rottingdean
- Peacehaven
- Telscombe
- Woodingdean
- Ovingdean
- Kemptown
- Portslade
- Shoreham-by-Sea
- Lewes
Often done alongside
Common questions
How much does a new patio cost?
It depends on the size, the paving, the ground and access, so patios are quoted after a free, no-obligation survey rather than from a price list. There is no minimum charge, and all works are guaranteed.
Can you lay a patio and artificial grass together?
Yes. That is a common job for us, and it lets us plan the levels and drainage for both at once. If you are also thinking about a new lawn, artificial grass is typically £55–£65 per m² installed, as a guide.
Will the patio drain properly?
We plan falls on every patio so water runs away from the house, and add drainage where the ground or the layout needs it.
What paving do you use?
We talk through the options on the survey, including porcelain, concrete flags and natural stone, and quote for the one that suits the garden, the house and the budget.
Do you build paths as well as sitting areas?
Yes. Paths from a door to a gate, shed or lawn are part of the same work, with the same attention to falls and to how the path meets the rest of the garden.
How do I book a survey?
Call or WhatsApp 07826 525732, email ruffellsgrass@gmail.com, or use the free survey form. We work Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm. Surveys are free and there is no obligation.
Free, no-obligation
Book a free survey
Adam will come and look at the garden, talk it through and confirm a price. As a guide, artificial grass typically costs £55–£65 per m² installed; other work is quoted at the survey. There is no minimum charge, and all works are guaranteed.
Had work done by Ruffells?
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