Decking & PatiosGarden SpacesBuilt for Real Use
Hardwood, composite, sandstone and porcelain — built on proper foundations, drained, levelled and finished so they look as good in year ten as they do on day one.
Professional decking & patios that holds its finish for decades, not seasons.
What it is
Decking and patios cover the hard-landscaping work that turns a garden into a usable space. Decking is timber or composite boards on a treated joist sub-frame; patios are stone, porcelain or concrete slabs laid on a mortar bed over a compacted sub-base.
Who it is for
Sudbury, Long Melford, Glemsford and Suffolk/Essex homeowners creating outdoor dining and entertaining areas, levelling sloping gardens for usable space, replacing tired old slabs, and connecting bi-fold doors to the garden after an extension.
When you need it
After an extension where the original patio is no longer aligned to the new doors; when the existing patio is uneven, weed-infested or sinking; when adding a hot tub, BBQ kitchen or seating area; or when landscaping a new garden from scratch.
Why professional help matters
Patios that move are cosmetic disasters and trip hazards. Decking that flexes is uncomfortable, noisy and unsafe. Both are entirely the result of skipping the sub-base or sub-frame work.
What happens when decking & patios is rushed, under-specified or done by the wrong trade.
Patios and decking are the trades where homeowners see the cheapest quotes — and the most disappointing five-year results.
Risks if ignored or done badly
- Slabs sinking and rocking within two seasons because the sub-base was too thin or not compacted.
- Decking joists rotting in 3–4 years because they were laid direct to soil with no airflow.
- Standing water and ice patches in winter because falls were not built in.
- Composite decking warping and clipping pulling free because joist centres were too wide.
- Patio joints opening up and weeds taking over because pointing mortar was the wrong mix.
Common mistakes we fix
- Laying slabs on five-spot mortar dabs instead of a full mortar bed.
- Compacting the sub-base only at the surface, not in 100mm layers.
- Building a deck flush with the damp-proof course, bridging the DPC.
- Choosing the cheapest porcelain online without checking R11 slip rating for outdoor use.
A clear, predictable five-step process from first call to sign-off.
Free Site Visit
We come to your property at a time that suits you, listen carefully to what you want, take measurements and photos, and explain realistic options for your garden build.
Written, Itemised Quote
You receive a clear written quote within a few days — fixed price, itemised by stage, with no vague allowances or hidden extras.
Scheduling & Preparation
Once approved, we book a firm start date, order materials, and protect floors, furniture and access routes before any work begins.
Skilled Execution
David personally leads each project. The site is kept tidy daily, you receive regular progress updates, and any decisions are walked through with you in person.
Sign-Off & Guarantee
We snag the job ourselves before you ever see it. You only sign off when you are completely satisfied — backed by our written workmanship guarantee.
What you get when decking & patios is done properly.
Built to Last
Materials and methods chosen for long-term performance, not the cheapest spec. Most jobs outlast the original build.
One Trusted Trade
David runs the project from first visit to final sign-off. No subcontractor merry-go-round, no finger-pointing.
Predictable Pricing
Fixed written quotes mean you know the full cost before tools come out. No drip-fed extras.
Tidy, Respectful Site
Floors covered, dust controlled, waste removed daily. Your home stays liveable while we work.
Local Aftercare
Based in Sudbury — five minutes away if anything ever needs revisiting. Workmanship guarantee in writing.
Honest Advice
If a cheaper or simpler option is right for you, we say so. We turn down work we can't do brilliantly.
How we approach decking & patios — materials, methods and the work behind the finish.
A patio or deck is a small piece of civil engineering. The visible top is 10% of the work; the rest is what holds it up.
Materials we use
- MOT Type 1 sub-base, compacted in 100mm layers to a minimum depth.
- Full bed of 4:1 sharp sand to cement mortar — never spot dabs — for natural stone and porcelain.
- Pressure-treated UC4 softwood joists for timber and composite decking sub-frames.
- Composite boards from leading UK manufacturers (Trex, Millboard, Cladco) with hidden clips.
- Hardwood decking in Yellow Balau, Ipe or thermally modified ash for traditional grain.
- Slot drains or linear channels at the house edge of every patio, taking water away from the wall.
Methods we follow
- Site stripped and excavated to depth — typically 200–250mm for patios, plus the slab depth.
- Falls built in at 1:60 minimum away from the house, levelled with a long straight-edge.
- Decking sub-frame fixed on adjustable pedestals or concrete pads — never direct to soil.
- Joist centres at 400mm for composite, 450mm for hardwood — never wider.
- Pointing in jointing compound or proper mortar — never just brushed-in kiln-dried sand outdoors.
Variations of decking & patios we cover
Porcelain patios
Outdoor-grade vitrified porcelain — the modern hard-wearing finish, almost zero maintenance.
Sandstone and limestone patios
Indian sandstone, Yorkstone and limestone — natural finish, requires sealing and occasional re-pointing.
Composite decking
Capped composite boards with hidden clip systems — no annual oiling or staining.
Hardwood decking
Yellow Balau, Ipe or thermally modified timber — premium feel, long lifespan with annual oiling.
Concrete and reconstituted slabs
Hard-wearing budget option for utility areas, side passages and bin stores.
Steps, walls and edging
Built into every patio or deck — sleepers, stone retaining walls and porcelain step treads.
Situations we work in
- Connecting new bi-folds or sliders to a level garden terrace.
- Replacing tired 1990s patios with modern porcelain.
- Levelling sloping gardens with retained terraces.
- Building hot-tub bases and seating zones with structural sub-frames.
- Long pathways and side returns linking front and back gardens.
Residential & commercial
Surface water from any new patio or deck must drain to a permeable area or soak-away — never to a neighbour's land or onto a public footpath. We design drainage into every quote.
Recent decking & patios projects across Suffolk & Essex
A selection of recent decking & patios work — every job signed off by the homeowner.
Decking & Patios questions, answered straight.
Don't see your question? Call David direct on 07521 287114.
What's better — decking or a patio?+
Patios last longer (30+ years on porcelain, 20+ on natural stone), need almost no maintenance, and suit ground-level gardens. Decking is faster to install at height, warmer underfoot, and ideal where you need to bridge a slope. We help you choose based on your specific garden.
How much does a new patio cost in Suffolk?+
As a guide, porcelain patios are typically £130–£180 per m² fully installed including sub-base. Indian sandstone is £100–£140 per m². Composite decking is £180–£240 per m². Hardwood decking is £220–£300 per m².
How long does a patio installation take?+
A typical 25–40m² patio takes 5–8 working days from excavation to pointed and cleaned. Larger jobs with steps and walls can run 2–3 weeks.
Will my new patio drain properly?+
Yes — every patio is laid with falls away from the house and, where needed, channel drains or soak-aways are built in. Standing water on a new patio is always a sign of bad installation, not bad weather.
Does composite decking need maintenance?+
Modern capped composite needs an annual wash with a soft brush and warm soapy water — that's it. No oiling, staining or sanding. Hardwood decking benefits from annual oiling to keep the colour.
Can you build raised decking or a multi-level deck?+
Yes — raised decks over 600mm need balustrades to current Building Reg heights. We design and build single-level, raised and multi-level decks with steps and integrated planters.
Will you remove the old patio first?+
Yes — strip-out, breakdown and tip-fees are included in every quote. The site is left clean and the new sub-base built up from solid ground.
Can I extend my existing patio rather than replace it?+
If the existing slabs are sound and laid on a proper bed, yes — though matching exact stone after some years can be difficult. We're upfront about whether an extension or full replacement is the better long-term answer.
Related services
Areas we cover
Book your free site visitand written quote.
David visits in person, takes proper measurements, and follows up with a clear, itemised written quote. No sales pressure. No obligation.