In Tonypandy the houses climb the side of the Rhondda Fawr in tight terraced rows, and back gardens tend to run uphill. Turning part of that slope into a level, dry patio can change how you use the whole house, and it is a job that needs care.
We cut the ground, build the base, lay the paving and clear up behind us. We think about the practical side too, such as how materials reach a back garden when there is no vehicle access, and how to keep the site tidy in a small plot.
Space is precious on these valley streets, so a patio has to earn its footprint. Usually we aim for a good-sized area close to the back door, where it is easiest to step out, with the garden rising behind it in a tidy edge or a short flight of steps. We would rather build a smaller patio that is level and dry than a larger one that cuts into the hill too far.
Wherever the ground drops or climbs, we make sure the soil is held back properly. A neat retaining edge not only looks better than a bare bank, it stops earth washing down onto your new paving after heavy rain, which can be frequent in the valleys of Tonypandy and beyond. We build the edge to last, with firm footings and free-draining material behind it.
With many terraced homes here, everything often has to come through the house or along a narrow back lane. We plan that in advance, using barrows and small loads where necessary, so excavation, sub-base and slabs all arrive and leave without damage to your property. Compact, careful working in a small garden keeps disruption down for you and for neighbours in the next terrace.
The base is built in compacted layers, then the slabs are laid on a bed with a fall away from the house so water does not collect at the back door. Pointing and edge detail come last. Every bag, offcut and load of spoil goes with us when we leave the site. Tonypandy's steep ground needs this care, because a poorly drained patio can send water straight to the house.
Woodland on the valley sides brings shade and plenty of moisture, so choose with that in mind. Porcelain, sandstone-look slabs and natural stone all work, and we can explain which are easier to keep clean. We also cover Trealaw, Penygraig, Llwynypia and Porth, so most of the Rhondda Fawr is within reach of Tonypandy. Samples can be brought to you.
A few jobs we have completed. We also work in and around Tonypandy.
Patio ConstructionWe cleared the old paving at the back of a Bridgend house, compacted the base and stacked new slabs ready for laying.
See the project →Patio ConstructionWe laid new grey paving slabs in a narrow Cardiff garden, with timber-edged gravel beds and a membrane-lined side strip.
See the project →
Patio ConstructionWe replaced the front lawn of a red-brick terraced house in Neath with dark grey paving and a pale border of edging stones.
See the project →We work across South Wales. Pick your town to see how patio construction works locally.
Porcelain offers a consistent, low-maintenance surface, while natural stone brings variation and character, and both depend on a properly built base.
Read the guide →The cost of a patio depends on its size, the paving you choose, the ground beneath it and how easily materials and waste can be moved.
Read the guide →
Tree surgery is priced job by job rather than from a fixed list, so this guide explains what moves the cost up or down and how to get a firm figure.
Read the guide →Yes. We carry materials through or round the house in manageable loads and take the waste out the same way. We lay down protection where it is needed, and we would agree the route with you before starting any work.
We cut the patio level and hold the bank behind with a retaining edge or steps, so soil stays where it belongs. The details depend on how steep the garden is, which we can judge properly when we visit and measure.
A well-laid patio falls away from the walls and carries water off, which can stop it splashing and pooling there. It will not cure damp that has other causes, but correct levels certainly avoid making it any worse.
Tell us what needs doing and where. We will come back to you, or call 07766 919630 if it is urgent.