NaturalStone&IndianSandstonePatiosinBournemouth&Poole
Real sandstone or limestone laid on a properly compacted sub-base, with the falls set so the water runs off it, not a slab dropped onto sand and hoped for the best.
- Genuine natural stone, not printed porcelain
- Sub-base and falls built in-house by a qualified groundworker
- 2-year workmanship warranty
- 2 yearsWarranty on work
- Owner-ledOne team throughout
- In-houseBy our own team
- CSCS · SSSTS · NVQ 2Qualified team
What a Natural Stone Patio Actually Is
Natural stone paving is cut from quarried sandstone or limestone, most often Indian sandstone, rather than moulded or printed. Every slab varies slightly in colour and texture, which is the appeal for a period property or a garden that wants a settled, natural look rather than a uniform, factory-made surface. Laid on a proper sub-base with the falls set correctly, it copes well with a British winter.
What Working With Us Actually Looks Like
Three steps, from the first visit to the walk-round.
01We visit and talk it through
We look at the site, talk through stone options and layout, and give honest advice on what suits the space.
02You get a fixed, itemised quote
A written quote broken down by what is actually involved, not a number given on the doorstep.
- 03
We build it and hand it back tidy
Dig-out, sub-base, falls and laying, finished with a walk-round so you know exactly what has been done.
15+
Years in groundworks and landscaping
35 miles
Covered from our Bournemouth base
Fixed price
Itemised and agreed before the dig-out
Falls
Set so water leaves the patio, not sits on it
Natural Stone, Porcelain or Block Paving
All three make a good patio. The right one depends on the look you want and how much upkeep you are prepared to do.
| Natural stone | Porcelain | Block paving | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | No two slabs identical, with natural colour and texture variation | Consistent colour and pattern, closer to a manufactured look | Modular, geometric look built from smaller units |
| Surface | Riven, textured surface underfoot | Smooth, consistent surface | Smooth units with visible joint lines |
| Upkeep | Benefits from an occasional reseal to keep its colour | Low maintenance, resists staining and algae well | Joints need re-sanding occasionally as they wear |
| Typically | The most expensive of the three, reflecting the material and the time it takes to lay well | Similar to natural stone, sometimes a little less | Usually the most affordable of the three |
Swipe to see every column
What's Included as Standard
Every natural stone patio we lay covers this, whatever the size.
Full excavation
The old surface and enough depth removed and taken away, not built up on top of what's already there.
Compacted sub-base
Built and compacted in layers to the right depth before a single slab goes down.
Falls set for drainage
The patio is set with a fall built in, so rainwater runs off it rather than sitting on it.
2-year workmanship warranty
If it settles or shifts within two years, we come back and put it right.
Pricing
Every Patio Is Priced After a Visit
Priced after a look at the garden
What a natural stone patio costs comes down to size, what is already there, how much of it has to come out, and how a machine gets in. Stone choice moves it too. Once we have seen the garden we give you one fixed, itemised quote covering the dig-out, the sub-base, the falls and the laying.
- What moves it: size, what comes out, access and the stone you choose
- Dig-out, sub-base and falls priced in, not treated as extras
- Written and itemised, and it does not move once agreed
How We Build Your Patio
The same three steps for every job, big or small.
Consultation and site visit
We measure up and give honest advice on materials and layout.
Fixed-price quote
An itemised quote after the assessment. No hidden extras.
Build and finish
Dig-out, sub-base, falls and lay, then a walk-round and we come back once it's settled.
Natural Stone Patios We've Built
A spread of the sandstone and limestone patios we've laid, not six of the same one.
What Our Customers Say
These reviews come from customers across our groundworks, driveway, patio and landscaping work in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset, not only from patio projects.
Grace Sibley
Jacc and his team did a full patio renovation for us inclusive of sorting out some significant drainage problems. Jacc and his team have been professional through out and provided a high quality service even through some significantly challenging weather. I cannot fault them at all. Jacc and Jordan went above and beyond for us and despite it being 37 degrees carried on grafting to get us a usable patio before our sons 1st birthday. The work was efficient, they kept the place tidy with waste removal being organised within 48 hours of it being produced I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Four Ground for your upcoming landscape/ground works project.
Asa Parker
I'm very happy with the work Jacc and this team have done. They removed the old driveway and previous concrete pads, before levelling and laying a new larger reinforced concrete slab and block paving driveway. Jacc was very helpful throughout.
Chris Lynch
We used Jacc and his team to lay the foundations and over site for a single story extension. After getting plenty of quotes he was very competitive and his enthusiasm and communication was exceptional. Our plan is to have Jacc back to complete our patio area and ground drainage - he's trustworthy, reliable and has a fantastic attitude - something that we've realised is really hard to come by in the building trade. Thanks so much Jacc and team!
A.G Reeks
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Friendly & Honest Excellent service from start to finish. The drainage work was explained clearly, priced fairly, and completed efficiently. The lads were polite, hardworking, and respectful of the property. It's refreshing to deal with a company you can trust. Would definitely use again.
Rachel
We are so pleased with all the work we have had done - our back garden was a total mess, but the guys completely transformed it with a brilliant new concrete area and some lovely planters. They even sorted out and tidied our front drive with a temporary fix, which has given the whole house a massive face-lift. The whole team were so friendly and down-to-earth. Big shout-out to Jacc as well, who was always around for a chat whenever we had any questions. Honestly couldn't recommend them enough if you need a landscaping company for gardens or driveways.
jeff sullivan
After being let down at the last minute by another landscaper, Jacc was recommended to me. I messaged and received a prompt reply. Jacc visited to give a quote and start date. He arrived when expected to start on a new patio, whilst he was working, I asked for a quote for new concrete fence posts and panels, again I was happy with the quote and it could be done at the same time, result... Its now all completed, I'm impressed with the new patio and fence, jacc was professional and takes pride in his work, his easy to get on with and very approachable. Highly recommended, and thanks again Jacc 👍
Recent Natural Stone Patio Projects
A closer look at a few of the patios we've built.
Common Worries, Answered
The questions people usually have before work starts.
Will the garden be left in a state?
A dig-out is messy for a couple of days. We sheet the access route and sweep down every evening, so it's never worse than it has to be.
Will it sink or go uneven like the last one?
It's built on a sub-base compacted to the right depth. That layer, not the slabs on top of it, is what keeps a patio level.
Where does the water go?
Falls are set deliberately, so rainwater runs off the patio rather than sitting on it after rain.
What You're Seeing, and What It Means
Common signs on an existing patio, and what's usually behind them.
The patio has dipped or gone uneven in patches
What it actually isUsually a sub-base that was never compacted to depth before the stone went down
What it needsA proper dig-out and rebuild on a compacted sub-base, not a re-lay on top of the problem.
Water sits on the surface after rain
What it actually isFalls that were never set, so there's nowhere for the water to run
What it needsFalls re-set as part of a rebuild, or drainage added where a rebuild isn't needed.
White, powdery marks appearing on the stone
What it actually isEfflorescence, salts drawn up through the stone as it dries out after laying. It's common on new natural stone and not a fault.
What it needsIt usually washes away on its own within the first year. We can advise on cleaning if it doesn't.
Natural Stone Paving: What Affects the Job
What a natural stone patio costs depends on the size of the area, how easy it is to get materials and machinery to it, and the state of what's already there. A dig-out and rebuild of a failed old patio takes longer than laying onto a clear, level plot, and that difference is reflected in the quote, not hidden inside it.
Most patios don't need planning permission, but the rules have exceptions, particularly for raised patios near a boundary or properties in a conservation area. Rather than assume, we can tell you where a specific job stands at the site visit, before anything is booked in.
Sandstone paving and limestone patios are both natural stone paving, cut from quarried rock rather than moulded like porcelain or concrete. As natural stone paving installers, we lay both to the same standard, on a compacted sub-base with the falls set properly, which is what determines how a limestone patio or sandstone paving actually performs once it's down.
Natural Stone Patio Questions
What people usually ask before booking a sandstone or limestone patio.
How long does a natural stone patio take to lay?
It depends on the size of the patio and what needs to happen underneath it first. We give you a proper timescale at the site visit rather than a guess over the phone.
Will a natural stone patio sink or go uneven?
Not if the sub-base underneath it is dug to the right depth and compacted properly, which is the part of the job that actually determines whether it stays level.
Do I need planning permission for a patio?
Most patios don't need it, though there are exceptions for raised patios near a boundary or in a conservation area. We can confirm where your job stands at the visit.
What's the difference between natural stone and porcelain paving?
Natural stone is quarried rock, so no two slabs are identical. Porcelain is manufactured, so the colour and pattern stay consistent across the whole patio.
Is a natural stone patio covered by a warranty?
Yes. Everything we lay is covered for two years. If it settles or shifts, we come back and put it right.
Are you on Checkatrade and Google?
Yes. We are an approved Checkatrade member and hold Google Guaranteed status. Behind that are over 15 years in groundworks and landscaping and the trade cards to go with it: CSCS, Street Works, SSSTS and NVQ Level 2.
Looking for Something Else?
Other ways to finish your outdoor space.
01Porcelain Patios
A consistent, low-maintenance surface if natural stone's variation isn't what you're after.
Learn more
02Driveways
Block paving, tarmac, concrete and gravel driveways, built on the same sub-base standard.
Learn more
03Paths & Steps
Matching paths and steps to connect a new patio to the rest of the garden.
Learn more
Where We Fit Natural Stone Patios
Based in Bournemouth, working across Dorset and Hampshire.
Poole
Coastal gardens and courtyards around Poole, including Sandbanks and Parkstone.
Poole coverageChristchurch
Period homes and new gardens across Christchurch and out towards Highcliffe.
Christchurch coverageFerndown
Family gardens across Ferndown and the surrounding villages.
Ferndown coverageBroadstone
Established gardens around Broadstone, many with room to extend the outdoor space.
Broadstone coverageGet a free quote
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a price. No pressure, no hard sell.
Prefer to talk? Call Four Groundworks & Landscaping on 07886 075828
Sandstone and riven stone, as we post it
Riven stone varies slab to slab, so the only way to judge it is to see it laid rather than stacked on a pallet. These go up on our Instagram as each patio finishes.
See more on Instagram