Replacing patio - any advice?

[BuckingFrolics]

I have a medium size patio that came with the house. It's tatty and I want to replace it this spring - keeping the basic layout and orientation but new slabs, new steps and new "walls" (there are established beds on the far side of the current low walls).

I don't want to make a mistake but have never dealt with patios before!

Have you got patio surfaces you recommend or hate? Is decking a no?

I'm lazy so minimal maintenance is good! I like cosy country feel, or baking Med, rather than modern or scandi. I fancy a small water feature too - small bubbling something.

Any hints?

Agree a job rate not an hourly/day rate. Don’t expect them to turn up when they say they will.

Self contained water features are more easily maintained. Stone ones make a lovely sound. Plastic ones sound, err, plastic.

Decking gets very slippery, can be noisy and bouncy to walk on.

Try and see examples of previous work.

Decking is more modern looking.

Just make sure its not more than 30cm high and if it's attached to the side of your house you need to ensure any water run-off is channelled away from your house.

Patio slabs are really outdated and look awful when they age.

Also decking doesn't get slippery if it's properly maintained.

A good antifungal deck stain, applied at the end of every summer, will prevent any algae from growing.

Just installed a porcelain patio and it's brilliant. Doesn't get algae, washes down easily with soapy water and doesn't stain.

They've come down hugely in price and are similar to stone now but much lower maintenance.

Really useful advice thanks.