Short answer
Patio cleaning in Chester starts from £125 for a small patio or path, with larger patios priced by the square metre — typically around £3 to £6/m² as a UK market guide. Add-ons run from £125 for black spot and lichen treatment, from £95 to re-sand the joints, and from £175 to seal. Your exact price depends on the area, the slab type and how much moss, algae and black spotting has built up over the years.
How patio cleaning is priced
Patio cleaning is priced on the area, the surface and the condition — not simply the hours on the job. A small flagged path is quick. A large patio that has not been touched in years, with black spots peppered across every slab and weeds forcing through the joints, takes far longer and often needs the pointing or jointing looked at once the dirt is gone. That is why a good local price is a starting figure firmed up after we have seen it, rather than a flat rate pulled out of the air.
As a guide for the Chester area, our team cleans a small patio or path from £125. Larger patios and wraparound terraces are quoted by the square metre or after a couple of photos, because the difference between a tidy courtyard in Handbridge and a neglected north-facing terrace in Upton is easily double the work for the same footprint. The clean itself is often only part of it — established black spot needs pre-treating, worn joints want re-sanding, and some owners choose to seal afterwards to keep the finish for longer.
Across Chester, Hoole, Handbridge and out through Cheshire, the Wirral and towards Frodsham and Northwich, patios green over fast. Our climate sits damp for much of the year, shaded and north-facing patios barely see the sun, and gardens near the Dee or tucked under trees grow a film of algae within a single season. The black spotting baked into Indian sandstone and concrete slabs is lichen — living growth that grips the surface — which is exactly why a patio comes back looking tired soon after a cheap, rushed clean.
Patio cleaning prices in Chester & Cheshire
| Job | Guide price | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio or path — full clean | From £125 | Compact area, single surface, straightforward access |
| Larger patio / wraparound terrace | Priced per m² | Quoted by area after photos — see the per-square-metre guide below |
| Black spot & lichen treatment | From £125 | Where spotting is established and needs pre-treating to lift, not just blasting |
| Re-sanding the joints (add-on) | From £95 | Fresh kiln-dried sand brushed back into block paving or open joints |
| Patio sealing treatment | From £175 | Protective seal applied after cleaning to lock in colour and slow regrowth |
| Re-pointing / re-jointing slabs | From £150 | Where the mortar between slabs has cracked or washed out |
Real CPAGM starting prices for typical Chester homes. Every job is confirmed after a few photos or a quick visit, because the slab type, area, level of growth and whether the pointing needs attention all change the scope.
Patio cleaning cost per square metre
If you are comparing quotes, the per-square-metre figure is the fairest way to sanity-check them. As a UK market guide, patio cleaning tends to land around £3 to £6 per square metre for a straightforward jet wash, rising towards £8 to £12 per square metre once you factor in black spot treatment, re-sanding and sealing. Those are general market figures rather than a fixed CPAGM rate — we price the whole job, not just the metres, because access, condition and slab type move the number as much as the size does.
To put that in real terms, a typical rear patio of around 20 to 25 square metres often sits in the low-to-mid hundreds for a full clean, while a small courtyard or path is where our From £125 starting price lands. A big terrace wrapping two sides of the house, with steps, edging and heavy lichen, is priced individually. Beware a quote that is far below the £3/m² mark: it usually means a quick blast that leaves the black spots behind and the algae back within weeks, so you end up paying twice.
Patio cleaning cost by slab type (market guide)
| Job | Guide price | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete slabs & paving | ≈ £3–£5/m² | Hard-wearing and tolerant of pressure; the most forgiving surface to clean |
| Block paving | ≈ £4–£6/m² | Cleans up well, but the joints almost always need re-sanding afterwards |
| Natural stone / Indian sandstone | ≈ £5–£8/m² | Softer and porous — needs a gentler method and often benefits from sealing |
| Porcelain paving | ≈ £4–£7/m² | Low-porosity and easy to keep clean, but shows streaks if rushed |
| Limestone / delicate stone | ≈ £5–£9/m² | Easily bleached or pitted; careful pressure and the right chemistry matter |
General UK market ranges for the clean itself, before black spot treatment, re-sanding or sealing. Our team confirms the CPAGM price for your patio after photos — these figures are only here to help you compare like for like.
What actually changes the price on the day
Five things move a patio cleaning quote up or down. First, the area — the biggest single lever, and why we work to a per-square-metre logic on larger patios. Second, the slab: Indian sandstone, porcelain, limestone, concrete and block paving all react differently to pressure and chemicals, so the right method protects the surface and brings back the colour rather than scarring or bleaching it.
Third, the condition. A patio cleaned every couple of years is far quicker than one carrying years of thick moss, green algae and established black spotting that has to be pre-treated first. Fourth, access — steps, tight side returns, no outside tap, or a first-floor terrace all add time for the same footprint. Fifth, the extras: re-sanding the joints, re-pointing where the mortar has failed, and sealing afterwards are separate line items you can take or leave.
The way to keep the price sensible is the same advice any honest trade gives: send a wide photo and a couple of close-ups, be clear about the slab type, and mention whether the pointing is already crumbling. That way the quote you get is the price you pay, with no surprises when we arrive.
What a professional patio clean involves
- 1
Check the slab and protect the area
We identify the slab type and condition, move pots and furniture where we can, and protect borders, drains, lawns and any soft pointing before any water touches the patio.
- 2
Pre-treat black spot, algae and weeds
Lichen and black spotting do not just blast off. Where growth is heavy we treat it first so it lifts properly, instead of leaving shadows and watching it return within weeks.
- 3
Clean at the right pressure for the slab
Indian sandstone, porcelain, block paving and concrete each need a different touch. We clean evenly so you do not end up with stripes, pitted slabs, blown joints or a patchy two-tone finish.
- 4
Rinse, re-sand and re-joint
We rinse the residue away, brush fresh kiln-dried sand back into block paving, and top up or re-point the joints where the mortar has washed out — sound joints keep weeds down and stop water getting under the slabs.
- 5
Seal if you have chosen to (optional)
On natural stone and block paving especially, an optional sealing treatment locks in the colour, makes the surface easier to keep clean and slows the regrowth of algae and black spot.
A pressure washer can wreck a patio if it is used wrong
Held too close, or on the wrong setting, a pressure washer can pit and scar slabs, blow the mortar out of the joints, bleach natural stone and force water under the slabs so they rock or lift. Indian sandstone and older pointing are especially easy to damage. If you are not sure how your patio will react — or the pointing is already crumbling — get it looked at before anyone turns a lance on it.
DIY jet washing vs a professional patio clean
| DIY with a hired washer | Professional clean | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Easy to leave stripes, lance marks and patchy two-tone slabs | Even, consistent colour brought back across the whole patio |
| Surface safety | Risk of pitting stone, blowing out joints or bleaching slabs | Right pressure and method for your slab type |
| Black spot & regrowth | Black spots often stay, and algae returns within weeks | Spotting pre-treated and joints re-sanded to slow it down |
| Effort and mess | Hours on your knees, soaked and covered in slurry | Done in one visit, with the area cleared and tidied |
| Typical cost | £40–£70 washer hire, plus your day and the risk | From £125, insured, with a finished result |
Clean only, or clean plus re-sand and seal?
A basic clean makes a tired patio look transformed on the day, but on block paving and natural stone the value is often in the extras. Once you pressure clean block paving, the kiln-dried sand that locks the blocks together washes out of the joints — leaving them open to weeds and letting the blocks shift underfoot. Brushing fresh sand back in from £95 is what keeps that finish stable and weed-free, which is why our team almost always recommends it after cleaning paving.
Sealing is the other decision. A sealing treatment from £175 is not essential, but on Indian sandstone, block paving and other porous surfaces it earns its place: it locks in the freshly-cleaned colour, makes spills and leaf stains easier to wash off, and slows the return of algae and black spotting so the patio stays looking good for longer between cleans. On low-porosity porcelain there is far less to gain, so we will tell you honestly when it is worth it and when it is money you do not need to spend.
Clean only vs clean + re-sand + seal
| Clean only | Clean + re-sand + seal | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Moss, algae and grime removed, colour restored | Cleaned, joints refilled and the surface protected |
| Guide cost | From £125 for a small patio or path | Clean + re-sand from £95 + seal from £175 on top |
| How long it lasts | Looks great, but algae and weeds creep back sooner | Stays cleaner for longer with slower regrowth |
| Best for | Concrete, porcelain, patios cleaned regularly | Block paving and porous natural stone left a while |
When sealing is genuinely worth it
Sealing pays off most on porous surfaces — Indian sandstone, sandstone-effect paving and block paving — and on patios that catch a lot of shade, leaf fall or foot traffic. If your patio is smooth porcelain, or you are happy to have it cleaned every year or two anyway, you can usually skip it. We will give you an honest steer rather than adding it by default.
Photos that get you an accurate price fast
- A wide photo of the whole patio so the area and shape are clear
- A close-up of the worst patches — black spots, thick green algae, lichen, or weeds growing through the joints
- A photo showing the slab type (sandstone, porcelain, concrete, block paving, natural stone) and the state of the pointing between the slabs
- A note on access — steps, side gates, whether there is an outside tap and where we can park
Frequently asked questions
How much does patio cleaning cost?
In the Chester area our team cleans a small patio or path from £125, with larger patios priced by the square metre after a couple of photos. As a UK market guide, patio cleaning tends to work out around £3 to £6 per square metre for a straightforward clean, rising once black spot treatment, re-sanding or sealing are added.
How much does it cost to clean a patio per square metre?
As a general UK market guide, patio cleaning costs roughly £3 to £6 per square metre for a basic jet wash, and around £8 to £12 per square metre once black spot treatment, re-sanding and sealing are included. These are market figures for comparison — we confirm the CPAGM price for your specific patio after seeing photos, because slab type, access and condition all move it.
How much does it cost to pressure wash or jet wash a patio?
Pressure washing a small patio or path starts from £125 with CPAGM. A DIY washer hire runs about £40 to £70 for the day, but the risk is pitting the slabs, blowing out the joints or leaving black spots and stripes behind — which is why most people have it done properly and sealed once rather than twice.
How much is patio cleaning and sealing together?
Cleaning starts from £125 for a small patio or path, and a sealing treatment is from £175 on top. On block paving we would usually also recommend re-sanding the joints from £95 before sealing. For a larger patio the combined price is quoted per square metre after photos, and we will always tell you honestly whether sealing is worth it for your surface.
Will the black spots come off completely?
Black spotting is lichen rooted into the slab, so it needs pre-treating rather than just blasting. Our black spot treatment starts from £125 where growth is established; with the right treatment it lifts and the slab comes back close to its original colour. A quick jet wash on its own usually leaves shadows behind that return within weeks.
Do you re-sand or re-point the joints as well?
Yes. Re-sanding block paving joints with fresh kiln-dried sand is from £95 and keeps the blocks stable and weeds down. Where the mortar between slabs has cracked or washed out, re-pointing or re-jointing is from £150 depending on the area — sound joints stop water getting under the slabs and slow regrowth.
Is patio sealing worth the money?
On porous surfaces like Indian sandstone and block paving, sealing from £175 locks in the freshly cleaned colour, makes stains easier to wash off, and slows the return of algae and black spotting. On low-porosity porcelain there is far less to gain. We give an honest steer rather than adding it by default.
Can you clean Indian sandstone and porcelain safely?
Yes. Softer, porous slabs like sandstone and limestone need a gentler approach than concrete, and porcelain shows streaks if it is rushed, so we adjust the pressure and method to suit the material and avoid marking or bleaching it.
How often should a patio be cleaned in Chester?
Most patios benefit from a clean every one to two years. Shaded, north-facing or tree-lined patios in our damp Cheshire climate green over faster and often need doing yearly to stay on top of the algae and black spotting. Sealing after a clean stretches the gap between visits.
What makes the price go up?
A larger area, heavily established black spot and lichen, awkward access or lots of steps, delicate stone that needs extra care, and whether the joints need re-sanding or the pointing needs replacing. Sending clear photos up front means the quote you get is the price you pay.
Do you cover my area around Chester?
Yes. Our team covers Chester and roughly a 45-minute radius, including Hoole, Handbridge, Upton and the wider Cheshire area, the Wirral, and out towards Frodsham, Northwich and parts of Wrexham and Flintshire. Send a few photos and we will come back with a clear guide price.
Sources & further reading
