Costs
How Much Does a Patio Cost in Ireland? (2026)
TL;DR
A patio in Ireland typically costs €120 to €180 per square metre supplied and installed, so a standard 30m² patio runs roughly €4,500 to €6,000. Porcelain starts around €120/m² and natural stone from €150/m². The biggest hidden cost, and the one that decides whether it lasts, is the sub-base underneath.
What does a patio cost per square metre?
As a rule of thumb in 2026, expect €120 to €180 per square metre supplied and installed for a quality patio in Ireland. Porcelain sits at the lower end, around €120 to €140. Sandstone runs roughly €130 to €160, and granite or premium stone €150 to €180.
Those figures include the stone, the labour, and a proper sub-base. They do not usually include major extras like steps, retaining walls, or large amounts of excavation and disposal, which are priced separately.
What drives the price up or down?
Two patios of the same size can cost very different amounts. The main factors are:
- The stone you choose, from budget porcelain to premium granite
- Size and shape, since curves and cuts add labour and waste
- How much excavation and waste disposal the site needs
- Access, because a wheelbarrow-only garden is slower than machine access
- Level changes, steps, and any retaining needed
- Edging, drainage, and how the patio meets the house and lawn
Why the base costs more than you think
The part you never see is the part that matters most. A patio should sit on around 150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 hardcore, with edge restraint, laid to a fall for drainage. That base is most of the labour and a big share of the cost.
Cheap patios skip it. They get laid on a thin bed of mortar straight onto soil, which is why they sink, rock, and crack within a few years. Paying for a proper base is the difference between a patio that lasts decades and one you replace twice.
Porcelain or natural stone?
Porcelain is consistent in colour, low maintenance, frost-proof, and slip-rated, which makes it a strong choice for the Irish climate. Natural stone like sandstone, limestone, and granite has more character and a timeless look, but softer stones need occasional sealing and cleaning.
Granite is the most durable natural option and suits Wicklow gardens especially, since it is quarried locally. We talk clients through the trade-offs for their garden, aspect, and budget before they commit.
A worked example
Take a typical 30m² rear patio in porcelain. The stone and materials might be €2,000 to €2,600, the excavation, sub-base, and disposal €1,200 to €1,800, and the laying, pointing, and edging €1,300 to €1,600. That lands the job around €4,500 to €6,000 all in.
Swap to premium granite and you would add roughly €900 to €1,800 for the stone. The base cost stays the same, because the ground does not care what goes on top.
How to get an accurate patio quote
A real quote needs a site visit. The cost depends on your ground, your access, and your levels, none of which can be judged over the phone. Ask any contractor to specify the build-up, the sub-base depth, the edge restraint, and the fall, in writing.
If a quote is far cheaper than the rest, it is almost always because the base has been cut back. We quote a fixed price with the build-up specified, so you can compare like for like.
Would you rather we just did it?
Our patio and paving service, on a fixed price.
Costs
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 30m² patio cost in Ireland?
A typical 30m² patio costs roughly €4,500 to €6,000 supplied and installed, depending on the stone and how much excavation the site needs. Porcelain sits at the lower end and premium granite at the higher end. The figure includes a proper compacted sub-base, which is what makes a patio last.
What is the cheapest patio material in Ireland?
Budget porcelain and concrete paving are the cheapest options, starting around €120/m² installed. They are perfectly good when laid on a proper base. The false economy is not the stone, it is skipping the sub-base, which is what causes patios to fail early.
Does a patio add value to a house?
A well-built patio adds usable outdoor living space, which is attractive to buyers and lifts the appeal of a home. Like any improvement, quality matters: a cracked, sunken patio is a liability, while a solid, well-finished one in good stone is a genuine selling point.
How long does it take to lay a patio?
A standard domestic patio usually takes around four to seven working days, depending on size, excavation, and weather. Most of that time goes into the groundwork and sub-base, not laying the stone. We give a realistic timeline with the quote.
Do I need planning permission for a patio in Ireland?
A ground-level patio within your own boundary normally does not need planning permission, as it is treated as a hard surface within the garden. Raised decks or patios near boundaries can be different, so check with your local authority if in doubt.