Cheap patio ideas: how to get a good patio on a budget in Australia
BeforeFlat Roof Colorbond PatioThe best cheap patio ideas keep the roof simple, the size honest and the site easy to work on. An open timber pergola, a flat Colorbond roof or a polycarbonate roof attached to the house are the lowest cost ways to get cover.
A small 3 × 3 m Flat Roof Colorbond Patio is about $7,500 to $9,000 installed in Perth. Here is where the money goes, which styles cost least, and what you should never cut.
Where does the money go in a patio?
A patio price is more than the roof. These are the things that move it most:
- Size: more roof means more steel, more sheeting and often more posts.
- Roof type: a plain sheet roof costs less than an insulated panel, slats or louvres.
- Shape and height: a gable or a tall roof uses more material and labour than a low flat one.
- Footings and slab: new footings or a new slab add cost, especially on soft or sloping ground.
- Access: if materials have to go through the house or over a fence, labour goes up.
- Council fees and engineering: these are fixed costs, so they weigh more on a small patio.
- Old structure removal and electrical work: both add to the bill.
Which patio styles cost least?
Here are indicative installed prices for a medium 5 × 4 m structure:
| Style | WA | VIC | NSW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Timber Pergola | $7,000 to $8,000 | $7,500 to $8,500 | $8,000 to $9,500 |
| Flat Roof Colorbond Patio | $8,500 to $10,000 | $9,000 to $10,500 | $10,000 to $11,500 |
| Polycarbonate Roof Patio | $8,000 to $9,500 | $8,500 to $10,000 | $9,000 to $10,500 |
| Skillion Patio | $9,000 to $10,500 | $9,500 to $11,000 | $10,500 to $12,000 |
| Insulated Roof Patio | $11,500 to $13,500 | $12,000 to $14,000 | $13,000 to $15,500 |
These are indicative ranges from our pricing engine. A site measure and quote from an installer sets the real price. For every style and state, see the patio cost guide.
6 cheap patio ideas that still look good
1. A flat Colorbond roof attached to the house
Works best for: most backyards that need rain and sun cover.
A flat roof Colorbond patio is the simplest solid roof. The house carries one side, so you only need posts on the outer edge. Pick a colour that matches your gutters and it looks built in.
BeforeFlat Roof Colorbond Patio2. A polycarbonate roof where you need light
Works best for: patios in front of a living room or kitchen.
A polycarbonate roof patio is one of our lowest cost covered styles. It keeps the rain off and lets daylight into the rooms behind it.
3. An open timber pergola with shade cloth
Works best for: budget shade for summer only.
An open timber pergola is one of our lowest cost styles. Add shade cloth or a vine for summer. YourHome, the Australian Government's guide, calls shade cloth a particularly flexible and low cost solution.
4. One size smaller with the better roof
Works best for: people who want insulation but have a fixed budget.
If you want an insulated roof patio, shrink it rather than downgrade the roof. At 5 × 4 m it is about $11,500 to $13,500 in WA, compared with $15,000 to $17,500 at 6 × 4.5 m.
5. A skillion instead of a gable
Works best for: modern homes that need a little extra height.
A skillion patio slopes one way, so it gives some extra height at the open edge without the cost of a full gable. Compare $12,000 to $14,500 with a gable roof patio at $16,000 to $18,500 for 6 × 4.5 m in WA.
6. Fixed slats instead of a louvre roof
Works best for: people who like the modern aluminium look.
A fixed aluminium slat pergola gives a similar look to an opening roof for a fraction of the price. It is about $13,000 to $15,500 for 6 × 4.5 m in WA, against $28,000 to $33,000 for an Adjustable Louvre Pergola.
Small changes that save money
- Reuse sound paving or a slab. Ask the installer whether it can take new footings.
- Keep a standard height. Taller posts and roofs need more steel and may need extra approval.
- Keep access clear. Remove plants, sheds or fencing panels in the way before the crew arrives.
- Add extras later. Blinds and heaters can wait. Ask the electrician to run wiring for a fan or light while the roof goes on.
- Get three quotes. Compare the same size, roof and inclusions. Our guide on how to compare patio quotes shows what to check.
What you should never cut
Engineering
A patio is a structure that has to resist wind and carry its own weight. MiTek's guidance for roof trusses says new loads must not be put on existing trusses without approval. It warns that skipping this can lead to a sagging roof, ponding in gutters, or collapse in a severe storm.
Approvals
A cheap patio still needs the right paperwork. The Cities of Wanneroo and Armadale in WA require a building permit for every patio attached to another building, regardless of size or height. Check the rules before you buy materials, not after the roof is up.
Licensed trades
Thresholds differ by state:
- NSW: residential building work over $5,000 including GST needs a licence. Electrical, plumbing and gasfitting work needs a licence whatever it costs.
- Queensland: building work over $3,300 must be done by a licensed person, under a contract. Unlicensed work is not covered by the state's home warranty scheme.
- WA: only a registered building contractor can do building work valued at $20,000 or more that needs a building permit.
Queensland's electrical safety regulator is clear that DIY electrical work is illegal. Always use a licensed electrician for lights and fans.
DIY patio kits: are they worth it?
Patio kits exist, and some steel makers sell them as ready to assemble with instructions. Lysaght, for example, says its kits can be built by a builder or as a DIY job. It also supplies documentation for council approval.
A kit can save on labour, but the risks are real.
- Footings: sizes come from the engineering. Build them exactly as specified.
- Fixing to the house: the connection to your fascia or wall is the hardest part. MiTek says metal fascias are generally not structural and need a timber backing member.
- Approval: the kit does not replace your building permit.
- Owner builder rules: in Armadale, a project over $20,000 needs a registered builder or an owner builder licence.
- Electrical work: still needs a licensed electrician.
If you are handy, a freestanding kit on a flat site is the safest DIY. For anything attached to the house, a licensed installer is usually money well spent. Our guide to choosing a patio builder can help.
See the cheap option on your own house first
A budget roof that looks wrong on your house is not a saving. With Backyard Mate, you upload one photo of your backyard. In about 30 seconds you see a patio built on it, with an indicative price for your state.
Try a flat roof, a polycarbonate roof and a timber pergola on the same photo, then decide. It is free and needs no account.
Common questions
What is the cheapest type of patio?
An Open Timber Pergola, a Flat Roof Colorbond Patio and a Polycarbonate Roof Patio are our lowest cost styles. At 6 × 4.5 m in WA they are about $9,500 to $11,000, $11,500 to $13,500 and $10,500 to $12,500 installed, as indicative ranges.
Is it cheaper to build a patio yourself?
A kit can save on labour, but you still need approval, engineering and footings done right. Electrical work must always go to a licensed electrician, and above certain values building work needs a licensed or registered builder.
How can I make a patio cheaper?
Go a size smaller, keep a simple roof shape, attach it to the house, reuse sound paving and keep the site easy to reach. Add extras like blinds later.
Do I need council approval for a cheap patio?
Price does not decide it. The Cities of Wanneroo and Armadale in WA, for example, require a building permit for every patio attached to another building, regardless of size.
What should I never cut to save money on a patio?
Engineering, approvals and licensed trades. Skipping them can leave you with an unsafe structure, a fine, or a patio that has to come down.
Keep reading
Sources
- Gang-Nail Guideline 150: patios attached to existing homes | MiTek Australia
- Patios information sheet | City of Wanneroo
- Patio information sheet | City of Armadale
- Checking your contractor or tradesperson is qualified | NSW Government
- Don't risk further damage with unlicensed building work | QBCC
- $10,000 penalty for excessive deposit and unregistered building work | Government of Western Australia
- Don't do it yourself (DDIY) | Electrical Safety Office Queensland
- Lysaght Living: patios, carports and verandahs | Lysaght
- Shading | YourHome (Australian Government)
Prices on this page come from Backyard Mate's pricing for each state and are indicative only. Rules and products change: check with your council and installer before you build.