Spring feels a long way off when you're hunting for your gloves. But the people who have a beautiful new patio by April or May are almost always the ones who planned it in October. Landscapers book up, popular stone sells out and prices tend to creep up when everyone suddenly remembers they have a garden. Get ahead of the queue with these five jobs.
Why Plan Your Patio in Autumn?
You Get First Pick
Autumn is quieter. You have time to compare stone properly, get quotes and make decisions without the pressure of a bank holiday deadline.
You Can Save Money
Buying before the spring rush can make a real difference to your budget, especially while end of season offers are on.
Your October Patio Planning Checklist
1. Order Samples and Test Them in Proper British Light
Stone looks different on a screen, in a showroom and in your own garden. Our free samples let you see the real thing before you commit.
How to Test Them Honestly
- Look at them on a grey, drizzly day. That's the light you'll see most of the year.
- Splash them with water. Stone often looks darker and richer when wet, and you'll learn how the surface feels underfoot.
- Hold them next to your brickwork, fences and doors. Colours that look lovely alone can clash with their surroundings.
- Check them morning and evening. Light changes everything.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you're torn between styles, take a look at our Indian sandstone paving for classic warmth, limestone paving for a calm, neutral look, or porcelain paving if you want something low-maintenance.
2. Measure Up Properly
Getting your quantities right saves money and avoids that awkward "we're three slabs short" moment.
The Simple Method
Measure the length and width of your patio area in metres and multiply them together. That gives you the area in square metres (m²). Then add around 10% extra for cuts, awkward corners and the odd breakage. If your design has lots of curves or angles, add a little more.
Understand Pack Sizes
Many of our products are sold in packs that cover a set area. For example, some sandstone packs cover 18.5m² and some porcelain packs cover 22m². If a full pack is more than you need, have a look at our split pack option. Prefer a mix of sizes for a classic random look? Our mixed patio packs are worth a browse, such as the sandstone patio pack.
3. Check the End of Season Clearance
Our End of Season Clearance has up to 25% off selected stone and porcelain while stocks last. If you're planning a spring project anyway, buying now can take a real chunk out of the cost. You can have the stone delivered and keep it stored somewhere dry until you're ready to lay it.
Make It Easier on Your Wallet
Delivery is free to most UK mainland postcodes. If you'd rather spread the cost, buy now pay later is available at checkout.
A Tip on Storing Paving
Keep pallets on firm, level ground, covered and out of puddles. Think about where the driver can drop the pallet before delivery day, as a clear access route makes everything smoother.
4. Think Through Levels and Drainage
This is the unglamorous bit, but it's what separates a patio that lasts from one that puddles.
Where Will the Water Go?
A patio should typically fall gently away from the house, with the finished level below the damp-proof course. Water that pools or runs towards your walls causes trouble, so sketch your levels now rather than discovering the problem after the first downpour.
Planning Steps or Changes in Height?
If your garden slopes or you're linking different levels, our bullnose steps and steps and coping are worth considering. And if you want a path or driveway to match, take a look at our setts and cobbles.
5. Book Your Landscaper (or Your Weekend)
Good landscapers fill up quickly from March onwards. If you're hiring, October is the perfect time to gather quotes and pencil in a date.
If You're a Landscaper
Our trade account offers no minimum order, free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes and a dedicated support team, so your projects stay on schedule.
If You're Going DIY
Our Installation Guide is a great place to start. You'll also want the right finishing products to keep your new patio looking its best, such as paving jointing compound and paving sealers.
A Little Extra Good
For every square metre you buy from us, we provide a meal for a hungry child through our SquareMeal programme. So while you're building the garden of your dreams, you're also doing some quiet good.
Quick Questions
How much extra paving should I order?
Around 10% is a sensible allowance for cuts and breakages. Add a little more for complex shapes or curves.
Is it too early to buy paving for spring?
Not at all. Stone keeps well when stored dry and covered, and buying early lets you take advantage of end of season offers and avoid the spring rush.
Can I see the stone before I buy?
Yes. Order a free sample and test it at home, in all weathers, before you decide.
Your October To-Do List
- Order samples and test them in the rain
- Measure up and add 10%
- Browse the clearance before stock goes
- Think through levels and drainage
- Book your landscaper
A little planning now means a stress-free spring, and a patio you'll be enjoying while everyone else is still waiting for quotes.
Ready to get started? Call the friendly Stonewise team on 0330 175 5295 (8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, 8am to 1pm Sunday), message us on WhatsApp, or order your free samples and shop the full range at Stonewise.uk.
