The patio is the most used spot in the garden – and the surface where mistakes become expensive fastest. Slabs that sink, puddles in front of the door or frost damage after the very first winter nearly always have one cause: a base that is too thin or badly compacted. Gala Bau Kurt builds patios in Düsseldorf, Wuppertal, Schwelm, Ennepetal, Meerbusch, Cologne and throughout North Rhine-Westphalia so that they last for decades.
Everything from one team of landscapers and gardeners (Garten- und Landschaftsbau): demolition of the old patio, excavation, sub-base, laying, drainage and the join to lawn or paths. After the free on-site visit you receive a fixed-price quote – with no extras added later, because we have seen the ground beforehand.
What our patio construction covers
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Porcelain and ceramic patios
20 mm porcelain slabs on grit, in permeable bedding mortar or on adjustable pedestals – frost-proof, stain-resistant and easy to look after.
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Natural stone patios
Granite, basalt, quartzite, sandstone or local greywacke as sawn slabs or crazy paving – every surface a one-off.
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Concrete slabs and block paving
Good value and hard-wearing, from 40 × 40 to 80 × 40 cm – large formats with a narrow joint are possible too.
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Timber and composite decking
Larch, Douglas fir or WPC composite boards on an aluminium or timber sub-frame with concrete pad foundations and a ventilation gap.
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Base build-up and drainage
Frost-proof sub-base, grit bedding, a 2 % fall away from the house, a channel in front of the door, connection to a drain or soakaway (Rigole).
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Renewing an existing patio
Out with the old exposed-aggregate slabs or sunken surfaces, base rebuilt properly, new surface on top – disposal included.
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Steps, edgings and patios on slopes
Solid block steps, edge restraints as well as L-shaped retaining units (L-Steine), dry-stone walls or gabions for a level seating area on a slope.
How we build a patio that lasts
The surface is a matter of taste – the base is not. We work to the recognised rules of the trade (among them DIN 18318 and the ZTV Wegebau specification): excavation of 30–40 cm, a geotextile separating membrane where the soil calls for it, then 20–30 cm of frost-proof sub-base in 0/32 or 0/45 crushed stone, compacted layer by layer with a plate compactor. On top of that comes a 3–5 cm bed of 2/5 grit – never sand, which holds water and attracts ants. We secure the edges with concrete haunching, otherwise the surface slowly creeps outwards.
The fall is decisive: at least 2 % away from the house, and with porcelain, which absorbs barely any water, 2.5 % is better still. At the façade, plinth waterproofing (Sockelabdichtung), a drainage strip or a channel drain keep splashing water off the brickwork; the finished surface usually sits 15 cm below the door threshold – or we build up to threshold level with a channel so that access is close to step-free. On roof terraces and balconies we lay porcelain on adjustable pedestals so that water can run away freely. Timber and composite boards get concrete pad foundations, at least 4–5 cm of ventilation underneath and stainless-steel screws.
Which surface suits your patio?
Porcelain (2 cm ceramic) is the most requested surface today: colourfast, frost- and stain-proof, slip-resistant (we recommend an R11 rating) and almost maintenance-free – but dearer than concrete. Natural stone such as granite, basalt or the local greywacke looks valuable and ages beautifully, although depending on the stone it needs sealing. Concrete slabs are the cheapest route to a clean, modern surface. Timber and composite feel nicest underfoot in bare feet, but timber wants oiling regularly. We bring samples along to the site visit so that you can see them in your own light.
Patio construction in Wuppertal, Düsseldorf, Cologne & NRW
In the Bergisches Land – Wuppertal, Schwelm, Ennepetal – a great many plots sit on a slope. A level patio is often only possible here with L-shaped retaining units (L-Steine), a dry-stone wall or gabions, and with 1,100–1,200 mm of rain a year the water has to be led away cleanly. The stony slate and greywacke subsoil bears loads well, but it makes the excavation harder work.
In Düsseldorf, Meerbusch and Cologne we mostly build on the loamy sands of the lower Rhine terrace – good ground to build on. Close to the river – Kaiserswerth, Nierst, Rodenkirchen – there is alluvial clay with a high water table; there we pay particular attention to a capillary-breaking sub-base. For the hot city summers we recommend light-coloured surfaces, and roof terraces in Golzheim or the Medienhafen we solve with adjustable pedestals. From the Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis we reach Wuppertal in 15–25 minutes and, via the A1, A46 and A3, Düsseldorf, Meerbusch or Cologne in about an hour.
Permission, rainwater and the tax rebate
A patio at ground level needs no building permission in NRW. For a patio roof, § 62 of the state building code (Landesbauordnung, § 62 BauO NRW) applies: up to 30 m² of area and 4.50 m depth it is exempt from the approval procedure – the separation distances to your neighbour and the local development plan (Bebauungsplan) still apply, though. Many councils calculate the rainwater charge (Niederschlagswassergebühr) from your sealed surface area, which is why a permeable build-up or a soakaway (Rigole) pays for itself twice over.
For tax purposes, patio construction counts as a tradesman's service under the German Income Tax Act (§ 35a EStG): 20 % of the labour costs – not of the materials – up to a maximum of €1,200 a year come straight off your income tax, provided the house is already lived in and you pay by bank transfer. That is why we always show the labour costs separately on the invoice.
How your patio project runs
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Site visit & measuring up
We measure the area and check the levels to the door, the fall and the access for a mini-digger and materials – free of charge.
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Fixed-price quote
A quote with every item clearly broken down: demolition, excavation, base, surface, drainage and disposal.
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Demolition, excavation & base
Old surfaces out, excavation with the mini-digger, rubble and soil taken away, sub-base compacted layer by layer.
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Laying & handover
Edge restraints set, grit bed screeded off, slabs or boards laid, joints closed – then we walk the finished patio with you.
What does a patio cost?
The price depends on the surface, the ground, the size and the access. Non-binding guide figures incl. VAT; “complete” means excavation, base, material and laying:
| Scope of work | Costs & Prices |
|---|---|
| Concrete slab patio, complete | approx. €90–150 per m² |
| Porcelain / ceramic patio, complete | approx. €110–200 per m² |
| Natural stone patio, complete | approx. €120–300 per m² |
| Base build-up only (excavation, hardcore, grit) | approx. €25–90 per m² |
| Fitting a drainage channel | approx. €100–300 per linear metre |
| Example: 20 m² patio, complete | approx. €1,800–6,000 |
Timber and composite decks are costed individually; demolition of the old surface and retaining walls on a slope may be added – every item is listed in the fixed-price quote.
All figures are non-binding guide prices incl. VAT. The final price depends on area, access, materials and effort. You will receive a binding fixed-price quote after a free on-site visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a patio cost per square metre?
Complete – excavation, base, material and laying – the guide figures run from about €80 to €300 per m² including VAT: concrete slabs from around €90, porcelain €110–200, natural stone €120–300. A 20 m² patio usually comes to €1,800–6,000. We name the binding fixed price after the free on-site visit.
How long does it take to build a patio?
A patio of 20–30 m² is normally finished in two to five working days, demolition and excavation included. For timber decks, retaining walls on a slope or awkward access we allow more time. We build from March to November, as long as there is no frost.
Do I need building permission for a patio?
Not for a patio at ground level without a roof. A patio roof is exempt from the approval procedure in NRW up to 30 m² of area and 4.50 m depth (§ 62 BauO NRW); separation distances and the local development plan (Bebauungsplan) still apply. If your house is listed (Denkmalschutz), we check that with you in advance.
Why is my patio sinking and why does water stand on the slabs?
Nearly always because the base was too thin or was not compacted in layers, because sand was used for the bedding instead of grit, or because the fall is missing. Water then collects, freezes and lifts the slabs. In that case we rebuild the sub-base, the grit bed and the fall from scratch.
Can porcelain be laid on an existing concrete slab?
Yes – on a sound concrete slab or roof terrace we lay porcelain on adjustable pedestals or in permeable bedding mortar; what matters is an existing fall and drainage that actually works. Whether the old slab is up to it is something we check on site.
Can I claim patio construction against my tax?
Yes, as a tradesman's service under § 35a EStG: 20 % of the labour costs, up to a maximum of €1,200 per year – provided the house is already lived in and you pay by bank transfer. Material costs do not qualify; we show the labour element separately on the invoice.