The typical programme
A straightforward 30 square metre patio takes four to five working days. Small patios can be done in two or three. Anything with steps, curves or a change in level runs longer because of the cutting and setting out.
- Day one: lift the old surface, dig out to depth, load the spoil
- Day two: sub-base laid, compacted in layers, falls checked
- Days three and four: slabs laid, cuts made at edges and steps
- Day five: joints filled, edges pointed, garden swept clean
What actually causes delays
Buried surprises are the main one. An old concrete yard, a filled coal store or a run of rubble under the lawn can add a day of breaking out and an extra load away.
Access is the second. Where everything is barrowed through the house, the digout stage alone can take twice as long as it would with a machine at the gate.
Weather and winter working
Rain rarely stops the groundwork stage, and a digout in wet weather is perfectly normal. What we do avoid is jointing and laying in hard frost, because the mortar will not cure properly.
In practice that means winter is a good time to get the excavation and base done, with the slabs and joints finished in the first settled spell.
When can you use it?
Light foot traffic the day after the slabs go down, and normal use once the joints have cured, which is usually around 48 hours. Keep furniture, planters and anything heavy off it for the first few days.