How to Lay a Patio
Create a garden patio with the right tools, materials and step-by-step support

Ready to create a space for relaxing, dining or entertaining outdoors? Laying a patio may feel like a big project, but with the right preparation, tools and guidance, it’s a DIY job you can take on with confidence.

At HSS DIY, you’ll find everything you need to plan, prepare, lay and finish your patio. From digging out the ground and compacting the base, to cutting paving slabs, filling joints and cleaning up afterwards, our range of hire equipment and materials is designed to help you get a neat, long-lasting result.

Never laid a patio before? Don’t worry, our experts have. Use our handy guides, tips and how-to advice to work through each stage and build a patio that’s ready to enjoy.

A great patio starts with solid preparation. Mark out your area, remove turf or soil, and make sure you have enough space to create a stable sub-base. For larger jobs, a micro digger, mini digger or turf cutter can help speed up the hard work, while a mini dumper and wheelbarrow make it easier to move soil, stone and sand around the garden.

Once the area is dug out, focus on building a firm, level base that will support your patio for years to come. A vibrating wacker plate helps compact the sub-base evenly, while a concrete mixer makes light work of preparing mortar or bedding mix. Use a rotating laser and trowel to help keep levels accurate, remembering to create a slight fall away from the house so rainwater can drain properly.

With your base prepared, it’s time to lay your paving. Start from a corner, work carefully to your guide lines and check each slab as you go. A rubber mallet helps bed slabs into place without damaging the surface, while saw benches, cut-off saws and block splitters make it easier to cut slabs neatly around edges, corners and awkward spaces. Finish by filling the joints for a tidy, secure result.

Once your patio is laid, give it time to set before walking on it or moving furniture into place. Use kiln dried sand or jointing products where needed, then clean the surface carefully so the final finish looks sharp. A pressure washer, patio brush and vacuum can help clear dust and debris, while gloves, knee pads, goggles and dust masks help keep you protected while you work.