The short answer
A porcelain patio in the UK typically costs around £100–£200 per square metre supplied and laid. Within that, the 20mm porcelain slabs are usually £20–£60 per square metre, and the labour to lay them is commonly around £45–£75 per square metre, with the remainder going on sub-base material, bedding mortar, priming slurry and waste removal. The per-metre figure tends to be higher on small patios, where fixed costs like setup, base prep and skip hire spread over fewer metres, and a little lower on larger patios. Tricky access, poor drainage or tree roots can each add roughly £10–£25 per square metre to the groundwork.
Splitting the per-metre price into slabs, base and labour shows where the money goes — and why a small patio costs more per metre than a large one. These are typical figures for guidance, not quotations.
Per square metre
- Supplied & laid£100–£200 / m²
- Porcelain slabs£20–£60 / m²
- Laying labour~£45–£75 / m²
- Awkward site extras~£10–£25 / m²
- Premium rangestoward the top of the range
What the per-metre figure is made of
- Slabs: 20mm outdoor porcelain at £20–£60/m², depending on grade, size and finish.
- Labour: laying porcelain commonly runs around £45–£75/m² because it needs priming and a full bed.
- Base & materials: sub-base, bedding mortar, priming slurry and jointing all add to the per-metre cost.
- Site & access: uneven ground, tree roots or poor drainage can add roughly £10–£25/m² to the groundwork.
| Component | Typical per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain slabs | £20–£60 | budget to premium large-format |
| Laying labour | ~£45–£75 | higher than stone — priming & full bed |
| Base & materials | varies | sub-base, mortar, slurry, jointing |
| Site extras | ~£10–£25 | roots, drainage, uneven ground |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and Paving Slabs UK cost guides.
Why small patios cost more per metre
A lot of a patio job is fixed regardless of size — getting set up, preparing and compacting the base, hiring a skip and removing waste. On a small patio those fixed costs spread over fewer square metres, so the per-metre figure lands at the higher end of the range. On a larger patio the same fixed costs spread further, so the rate eases toward the lower end. That is why it is worth comparing the total job price as well as the headline per-metre rate when you weigh up quotes.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is a porcelain patio per square metre in the UK?
Typically around £100–£200 per square metre supplied and laid. The slabs are usually £20–£60/m² and the laying labour around £45–£75/m², with the rest going on sub-base, mortar, priming and waste removal.
Why does the per square metre cost vary so much?
Because the slab grade, labour, groundwork and access all differ. Small patios also cost more per metre because fixed costs like setup, base prep and skip hire spread over fewer metres.
How much does porcelain laying labour cost per m²?
Laying labour commonly runs around £45–£75 per square metre, which is higher than for some natural stone because porcelain has to be primed and laid on a full mortar bed.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific garden. They are guidance, not a quotation.