Services
Patios & Pavingin Colchester, Essex
A patio that stays flat, drains properly and lasts. Laid on a proper base by our landscaping team and backed by a 10-year guarantee on all concrete and paving work.
- 5.0 from 59 Google reviews
- £10m public liability insurance
- Free, no-obligation quote
- 24/7 On the Line, same-day response
20 years
in the trade, Tree-Volution since 2015
5.0 from 59
Google reviews, 10/10 Checkatrade
£10m cover
public liability insurance
NPTC qualified
City & Guilds trained
24/7 On the Line
same-day response, free quotes
Patios & Paving explained, what it is and when you need it
A patio is often the most used part of a garden, somewhere to sit, eat and spend time outside. Paving also covers paths and other hard surfaces. What makes paving last is not the slab on top but the preparation underneath: excavation, a solid sub-base, a correct bed and the right fall for water to drain away.
We lay patios and paving as part of our landscaping work, often after we have removed a tree, ground out a stump or cleared an overgrown area. That means we understand the ground, including where old roots were, and can prepare it properly before a single slab goes down.
Because we build on proper foundations, we back all concrete and paving work with a 10-year guarantee. That is a concrete commitment to the work lasting, not a vague promise.
Who this service is for
- Homeowners, wanting a new outdoor seating or dining area.
- Customers replacing old paving, that has sunk, cracked or started to rock.
- Customers after tree removal, turning the space where a tree stood into a usable area.
- Landlords and sellers, improving outside space to make a property more appealing.
What happens if it's left
Sinking and rocking slabs
Paving laid without a proper sub-base moves, creating trip hazards and gaps.
Water problems
Without the right fall, water pools on the surface or runs towards the house.
Roots underneath
Paving laid over old stumps and roots can sink as they decay, which is why the ground must be prepared first.
Mistakes we see most often
- Laying slabs on sand or a thin bed without a compacted sub-base.
- Laying flat with no fall for drainage.
- Paving over a stump instead of grinding it out first.
- Picking a contractor who offers no guarantee.
How we do it, our five-step process
Step 1
Free site visit
We measure up, check levels and drainage, and talk through layout and materials.
Step 2
Prepare the ground
Excavation, removal of roots or stumps, and a compacted sub-base.
Step 3
Lay the paving
Slabs bedded and laid to line and level with the correct fall.
Step 4
Check and finish
Levels, joints and drainage checked before handover.
Step 5
Guarantee
Waste removed within the price, with a 10-year guarantee on concrete and paving work.
What you get out of it
Longevity
Proper bases and a 10-year guarantee on concrete and paving.
Drainage
Correct falls keep water off the surface and away from the house.
Joined-up work
Tree removal and stump grinding done first by the same team.
No hidden extras
Waste removal included in the price.
Insured
£10m public liability insurance on every job.
Peace of mind
5.0 from 59 Google reviews, 10/10 on Checkatrade.
Patios & Paving in detail
What goes into a lasting patio
The work beneath the surface is what the guarantee rests on.
- Excavation to the right depth
- Removal of roots, stumps and soft ground
- Compacted sub-base
- Correct bedding for the slabs
- A fall to carry water away
- Neat, consistent jointing
Paving projects we carry out
We lay new patios, replace failed ones and install paved paths and areas as part of wider landscaping. Patios are often combined with fencing and turfing to finish the whole garden in one project.
Where a tree or large stump is near the planned patio, we deal with it first. Our tree work and stump grinding services mean there is no need for a second contractor.
Choosing the right layout
Before any digging starts, we look at how you actually use the garden. Where does the sun fall in the evening? Which door do you walk out of most? Is the patio for dining, sitting, or somewhere for children to play? A patio sized and placed around those answers gets used every day; one squeezed into the wrong corner rarely does. We mark out the proposed area on site so you can see the footprint before committing.
We also look at levels in relation to the house. Paving must sit below the damp-proof course and fall away from the walls, so water does not collect against the building. On sloping gardens we plan steps, edges and retaining where needed, so the patio is level to use and still drains correctly.
Paving near trees and hedges
Trees and paving can live together, but only if the ground is prepared with the tree in mind. Large roots under a planned patio can lift slabs over time, and a stump left in the ground will eventually rot and cause sinking. As tree surgeons, we assess the roots and stumps before laying anything. Where a stump is in the way, we grind it out and backfill properly. Where a tree is staying, we can plan the edge of the paving to avoid the worst of the root zone.
This joined-up approach is one of the main reasons customers use us for paving after tree work: the same team knows exactly what was removed from the ground, and builds the patio on top with that knowledge. It is also why we are comfortable backing the work with a 10-year guarantee on all concrete and paving.
Patios & Paving, your questions answered
How much does a patio cost in Colchester?
It depends on size, materials and ground conditions. The site visit and quote are free, and waste removal is included.
What guarantee do you give on patios?
A 10-year guarantee on all concrete and paving work.
How long does it take to lay a patio?
It depends on size and preparation needed. We give an expected timeline when we quote.
Can you replace my old sunken patio?
Yes. We lift the old paving, correct the base and relay or replace it.
Can you remove a tree stump where the patio will go?
Yes. We grind out stumps and prepare the ground first so the paving does not sink later.
Will the patio drain properly?
Yes. We lay paving with a fall so water runs away from the house.
Are you insured?
Yes, with £10 million public liability insurance.
Which areas do you cover?
Colchester and up to 20 miles around, including Ipswich, Witham and Clacton-on-Sea.
Where we work
Patios & Paving is carried out from our Colchester base, up to 20 miles out along the A12. Pick your town for local detail, see the full list of services, or go back to the Tree-Volution homepage.
Related services
Landscaping
Soft and hard landscaping, fencing and turfing to finish the garden once the trees are sorted.
Stump Grinding & Removal
Stumps ground out below ground level so you can re-turf, plant or build over the spot.
Vegetation Clearance
Overgrown gardens, plots and boundaries cut back and cleared, with all waste taken away.
Get your patios & paving quote
Free site visit, a clear price with waste removal included, and no obligation to book. Ring James directly or send the details over and we'll come and look.
