Cost guide
How much does a patio cost in Ireland?
A new patio in Ireland typically costs between 80 and 160 EUR per square metre supplied and installed, depending mainly on the slab you choose. For a common 20 to 25 square metre garden patio, that means a realistic budget of 1,800 to 4,000 EUR including excavation, a proper sub-base and pointing.
Patio prices per square metre (2026)
| Patio type | Price per m2 (supplied and installed) | 25 m2 patio |
|---|---|---|
| Standard concrete slabs | 80 to 110 EUR | 2,000 to 2,750 EUR |
| Porcelain | 110 to 160 EUR | 2,750 to 4,000 EUR |
| Natural stone (sandstone, limestone, granite) | 95 to 145 EUR | 2,375 to 3,625 EUR |
| Resin bound | 90 to 140 EUR | 2,250 to 3,500 EUR |
Indicative ranges for a level garden with normal access, based on published contractor pricing across Ireland in 2026. Dublin quotes tend to sit in the upper half of each range. Get two or three written quotes before deciding, from paving contractors in Dublin or paving contractors in Cork depending on where you are.
What is included in a proper patio quote
The slab is only part of the job. A quote worth accepting should cover excavation and removal of spoil, a compacted hardcore sub-base of at least 100 mm, a full mortar bed rather than spot bedding, cutting around drains and manholes, jointing or pointing, and falls so water runs away from the house. If a cheap quote does not mention the sub-base, that is usually where the money was saved. The patio and paving specialists in Dublin we list set out these items separately, so you can see what a quote actually covers.
Porcelain, natural stone or concrete slabs?
Porcelain has become the default premium choice: stain-resistant, colour-stable and low maintenance, but it needs experienced installers and a primed bed, which is part of its higher labour cost. Natural stone gives character and ages well, though it needs sealing and occasional cleaning. Concrete slabs remain the value option and modern ranges imitate stone well, but they weather faster than porcelain.
Resin bound is the outlier: instead of slabs you get a seamless, permeable surface poured over a solid base, at roughly 90 to 140 EUR per square metre. It suits patios that flow into a driveway or path, and there are no joints for weeds. The catch is the base underneath, which has to be sound concrete or tarmac. If it is not, budget for a new one first. Our resin vs block paving cost guide covers that trade-off in detail.
Extras that change the budget
Steps, retaining walls, raised beds, lighting and drainage channels are all priced on top of the headline per-metre rate. In sloped gardens, groundworks can cost as much as the paving itself, so ask for those lines to be itemised in the quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 20 m2 patio cost in Ireland?
Between roughly 1,600 and 3,200 EUR installed depending on the slab: about 1,600 to 2,200 EUR in standard concrete slabs, and 2,200 to 3,200 EUR in porcelain or natural stone.
Is porcelain worth the extra cost over concrete slabs?
If you want minimal maintenance and a consistent finish, usually yes: porcelain resists stains, moss and fading. If budget is the priority, modern concrete slabs deliver most of the look for 30 to 40 percent less.
When is the best time of year to build a patio?
Contractors are quietest from late autumn to early spring, and some price more keenly then. Mortar and pointing need frost-free conditions, so a dry spell in spring or autumn is often ideal.
Do patios need planning permission in Ireland?
Almost never for a normal garden patio. Very large areas of hard surfacing can have drainage implications, so keep water on your own property and ask your contractor about permeable options on big projects.
Ready for real numbers? Compare the shortlists (paving contractors in Dublin, paving contractors in Cork) and use the quote request on the hub page to hear back from up to three contractors. Related guides: Driveway cost Dublin, Resin vs block paving, When to call pest control, Garden room planning rules, Patio installation Ireland, and the full hiring guide.