- Patio paving turns a garden area, courtyard or braai space into a level outdoor floor.
- It suits homes adding an entertainment area, redoing a worn patio or paving a courtyard next to the house.
- Describe the job once and compare quotes from independent paving contractors.
Send the patio size, what is there now and whether it joins the house.
Compare Paving QuotesWhat Patio Paving Includes
- Clearing and levelling the area.
- A compacted base for foot traffic and furniture.
- Falls that carry water away from the house.
- Edge restraints, steps or raised edges where needed.
- Cutting neatly around the braai, drains, pillars and doors.
Patio Materials and Finishes
| Material | Look | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete pavers and slabs | Wide choice of colours and sizes | Best value |
| Clay pavers | Warm, colour lasts | Rarely needs sealing |
| Natural stone | Premium, unique | Finish affects grip and staining |
| Flagstone | Large slabs, fewer joints | Natural or manufactured |
| Cobble-style | Textured, rustic | Less even underfoot |
Planning a Braai Area or Entertaining Space
- Size. Allow room for the table plus space to pull chairs out.
- Braai. Fat and ash stain light porous pavers. Darker colours or a sealed surface hide it better.
- Next to the house. Paving must stay below the damp-proof course of the walls and fall away from doors.
- Shade. Damp, shaded patios grow moss. A textured finish keeps better grip.
Common Reasons to Redo a Patio
- Uneven or sunken pavers.
- Water ponding at the doors or running towards the house.
- Stained, faded or broken pavers.
- Weeds growing through the joints.
- Extending the entertainment area.
How Patio Paving Is Done
- Site visit. Measure, check levels against the house and agree the layout.
- Preparation. Remove the old surface, excavate and compact the base.
- Laying. Pavers or slabs laid with falls, cut around features and jointed.
- Finish. Compact, clean and seal if the material needs it.
Patio Paving Prices
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| 60mm concrete pavers, installed (foot traffic) | R450 - R750 per m² |
| Clay pavers, installed | R650 - R1,200 per m² |
| Concrete slabs or flagstone-look slabs, installed | R450 - R800 per m² |
| Natural stone, installed | R850 - R2,000 per m² |
| Remove old paving or concrete, incl. disposal | R80 - R250 per m² |
Ballpark figures, not quotations. Indicative 2026 estimates compiled from published Western Cape and national paving price guides and a Cape Town materials supplier price list, checked September 2026. Most sources do not say whether VAT is included, so confirm VAT on every quote. A site visit and a written quote set the actual price. See Paving Prices Cape Town for what these figures include.
What to Check in a Patio Quote
- The exact paver or stone, with a sample if possible.
- Base preparation and falls away from the house.
- Steps, edges and cuts around the braai or drains.
- Sealing, if the material needs it.
- Removal of the old surface and rubble.
Cape Town Site Conditions
Winter rain tests the falls on any patio next to a house. South-easter wind blows sand into joints and onto the surface, and shaded courtyards stay damp and green through winter. Plan the drainage and finish for how the space is actually used.
Comparing Quotes
Ask for the same material and area to be priced by each contractor so the quotes compare.
Send one enquiry through Cape Town Paving and compare quotes from relevant independent paving contractors covering your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do patios need 80mm pavers?
No. 50 - 60mm pavers on a good base are usual for foot traffic. Use 80mm only if vehicles will cross the patio.
Can paving go right up to the house?
Yes, if it stays below the damp-proof course and falls away from the walls and doors.
What paving works best next to a braai?
Dense, darker pavers or sealed stone hide fat and ash stains best. Avoid light, porous stone right at the braai.
Should patio paving be sealed?
Not always. Sealing helps porous stone and concrete resist stains. Clay pavers rarely need it.
Can a patio be paved on sand without a base?
Not reliably. Uncompacted sand settles and the paving sinks. A compacted base is standard.
Related Pages
Cape Town Paving is a free quote-comparison service. Paving work is quoted and carried out by independent contractors, and your agreement is with the contractor you appoint. Ask each one for a written, itemised quote, what is and is not included, and their payment terms before paying anything.
Patio Paving Cape Town. Describe your patio once and compare paving quotes.
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