Deck & Patio Builders in London: Compare Options & Costs for 2026

You want more usable outdoor space at your London home, but you're stuck on the first decision: deck, patio, or both? The answer depends on your lot, your budget, and how you plan to use the space — and London's climate throws a few curveballs that make this choice more consequential than it might seem in milder parts of the country.

Here's what you actually need to know before calling contractors.

For a broader look at deck pricing across different materials and regions, see our complete deck cost guide.

Deck vs Patio: Which Is Right for Your London Home?

A deck is an elevated structure, usually wood or composite, attached to your house or freestanding in your yard. A patio is a ground-level surface — concrete, pavers, or natural stone — laid directly on a prepared base.

That distinction matters more in London than in, say, Vancouver. Here's why:

Choose a deck if:

• Your yard slopes away from the house (common in neighbourhoods like Byron and Westmount)
• You want a seamless transition from your back door to outdoor living space
• You need the structure elevated for drainage or walkout basement access
• You prefer the look and feel of wood or composite underfoot

Choose a patio if:

• Your yard is relatively flat
• You want a low-maintenance surface for a fire pit area, outdoor dining, or hot tub pad
• You're working with a tighter budget
• You want something at ground level that blends into landscaping

The London factor: Freeze-thaw cycles here are relentless. Patios built on poorly prepared bases will heave and crack within a few winters. Decks need footings that reach below the frost line — 36 to 60 inches deep depending on your specific location. Either choice demands proper engineering for this climate. There are no shortcuts that won't cost you later.

Cost Comparison: Deck vs Patio in London

This is where most homeowners start, and rightly so. Here's what London contractors are typically charging in 2026, fully installed:

Deck Costs (CAD, installed)

For a deeper breakdown by size, check out our guides on 12×16 deck costs in Ontario and 16×20 deck costs in Ontario.

Patio Costs (CAD, installed)

Bottom line: A basic patio costs roughly 40–60% less than a comparable deck. But that gap narrows fast once you choose premium patio materials or add features like retaining walls to deal with grade changes.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Don't just compare surface costs. Factor in:

• Footings and foundation: Deck footings in London need to reach below the frost line. Sonotubes and concrete for a standard deck add $1,500–$4,000+ depending on the number of posts.
• Grading and base prep for patios: A proper patio base in our climate needs 8–12 inches of compacted granular material to resist frost heave. Skimping here is the single most common mistake.
• Drainage: London gets roughly 1,000 mm of precipitation annually. Both decks and patios need a drainage plan.
• Annual maintenance: Pressure-treated wood decks need sealing every 1–2 years. Composite and concrete? Almost none. Compare the best low-maintenance decking options in Canada if upkeep is a dealbreaker for you.

Combined Deck & Patio Designs

You don't have to choose one or the other. Some of the best outdoor spaces in London combine both — and there are practical reasons beyond aesthetics.

Popular Combinations

• Raised deck off the back door + paver patio below for a fire pit or seating area. This works especially well on sloped lots in Old South and Wortley Village.
• Small deck for grilling and dining + large patio for lounging and entertaining. Keeps the higher-cost material where you need elevation, and uses affordable pavers for the larger footprint.
• Wraparound deck transitioning to a ground-level patio with built-in planters or a retaining wall as the visual divider.
• Pool deck combination: A composite deck for the main entertaining area with a concrete or paver surround at pool level. If that's your situation, see our guide to the best pool deck materials for Ontario.

Design Tips That Work for London Lots

• Step down, don't ramp. Wide steps (at least 48 inches) between deck and patio levels create a natural flow and extra seating.
• Orient your patio to catch afternoon sun. London's growing season is short. Maximize every hour of warmth from May through October.
• Use PaperPlan to visualize different decking materials on your own home before committing — it's much easier to see how composite vs stone actually looks against your siding and landscaping before spending thousands.
• Plan lighting from the start. Deck lighting kits integrated during construction cost a fraction of retrofitting later.

Materials for Each: What Works in London's Harsh Winters

London's freeze-thaw cycles, road salt tracking, heavy snow loads, and spring melt make material selection critical. Here's what holds up — and what doesn't.

Deck Materials Ranked for London

Best performers:

• Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon): Won't rot, split, or absorb moisture. Handles freeze-thaw without warping. Higher upfront cost, near-zero maintenance. This is what most London contractors now recommend. For brand comparisons, see our composite decking brands guide for Ontario.
• PVC decking: Even more moisture-resistant than composite. Zero organic material means zero rot potential. Slightly more expensive but worth it for pool surrounds or lakeside homes.
• Ipe: Incredibly dense and durable. Handles everything London throws at it. But the cost is steep and it needs periodic oiling to prevent greying.

Acceptable with maintenance:

• Cedar: Naturally rot-resistant but needs annual sealing to survive London winters. Expect to re-seal every spring. Beautiful when maintained, rough-looking when neglected.
• Pressure-treated wood: The budget choice. It'll last 15–20 years if you seal it religiously — every single year. Most homeowners don't, and it shows by year three.

For a detailed comparison of how materials perform through Ontario's freeze-thaw cycles, read best decking materials for Ontario's freeze-thaw climate.

Patio Materials Ranked for London

Best performers:

• Interlocking concrete pavers: Individual units flex with frost movement rather than cracking. Easy to replace damaged sections. The best balance of durability, appearance, and cost for London.
• Porcelain pavers: Extremely low porosity means almost no water absorption, which is exactly what you want in a freeze-thaw climate. Premium price, premium performance.

Good with proper installation:

• Poured concrete: Durable if properly reinforced with rebar and control joints placed every 8–10 feet. Stamped concrete looks great but can be slippery when wet or icy — ask about textured finishes.
• Natural flagstone: Beautiful, timeless, and heavy enough to stay put. But irregular joints collect water, and thin pieces can crack. Use at least 1.5-inch thick flagstone on a proper base.

Avoid:

• Thin concrete slabs on sand without adequate gravel base. They'll crack within two winters.
• Loose-laid flagstone on just sand. It looks charming in magazines. It's an uneven, heaving mess after a London winter.

For a full breakdown, check our best patio materials for Ontario's climate.

Finding a Contractor Who Does Both

Here's something most homeowners don't realize: deck builders and patio installers are often different trades. Deck construction is carpentry. Patio work is hardscaping. Finding one contractor who does both well isn't always easy — but it's worth the effort if you want a combined space.

What to Look For

• Ask specifically about combined projects. Request photos of completed deck-and-patio combinations, not just decks or just patios separately.
• Check for proper licensing. In Ontario, there's no mandatory licensing for deck builders, but reputable contractors carry $2 million+ liability insurance and WSIB coverage. Don't skip verification.
• Get three quotes minimum. London has a healthy contractor market, but the good ones book up fast. Start getting quotes in January or February to secure a build slot for May–October.
• Ask about their footing approach. Any contractor building in London should immediately mention frost-depth footings without you having to bring it up. If they don't, that's a red flag.
• Look for a design-build approach. Contractors who handle both design and construction tend to produce more cohesive results, especially for combination deck-patio projects.

Timing Matters in London

The realistic building season runs May through October. That's a tight window, and every deck builder in the city is competing for the same months.

• Book by March if you want a summer build. Seriously. The best contractors' schedules fill completely by April.
• Fall builds (September–October) can save you 10–15% as demand drops, and the weather is usually cooperative.
• Winter isn't impossible for decks (footings can be dug in frozen ground with the right equipment), but expect premium pricing and potential delays.

For a full guide on seasonal timing, see best time to build a deck in Ontario.

Permits: Deck vs Patio Requirements in London

This is where the two structures diverge significantly in terms of paperwork.

Deck Permits in London, Ontario

You almost certainly need a permit. In London, Ontario, a building permit is typically required for decks that are:

• Over 24 inches (0.6 m) above finished grade, or
• Over 100 square feet (9.3 m²) in area

Since most functional decks exceed at least one of these thresholds, assume you need a permit until confirmed otherwise. The permit process includes:

• Submitting a site plan showing property lines and setbacks
• Providing construction drawings with footing details
• Inspection at the footing stage and upon completion
• Permit fees (typically $150–$400 depending on project scope)

Contact London's Building Department directly for current requirements — municipal rules can change, and your specific lot may have additional restrictions (easements, heritage overlays, conservation authority setbacks).

Building without a permit is risky. It can result in fines, forced removal, and complications when you sell your home. Our article on building a deck without a permit in Ontario covers exactly what's at stake.

Patio Permits in London

Most patios don't require a permit. Since patios are ground-level and not structural, they generally fall outside permit requirements. However, you may need approval if:

• Your patio includes a retaining wall over 1 metre in height
• The project involves significant grading changes that affect drainage to neighbouring properties
• You're building within a regulated area (near a watercourse or in a conservation authority zone)
• Your property has heritage designation

Key Difference

A deck is a structure under the Ontario Building Code. A patio typically isn't — unless it includes structural elements. This permit difference is one reason some homeowners lean toward patios for simplicity. But don't let paperwork alone drive a decision you'll live with for 20+ years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a deck or patio a better investment for resale value in London?

Decks generally return 60–75% of their cost at resale, while patios return slightly less at 50–65%. However, a well-designed combination of both can boost your return because it signals a fully finished outdoor living space. The key is quality — a cheap, poorly maintained deck hurts value more than no deck at all.

How long does it take to build a deck vs a patio in London?

A standard 12×16 deck typically takes 3–5 days of active construction once footings are poured and cured (add 2–3 days for footings). A patio of similar size takes 2–4 days after base preparation, which itself requires 1–2 days. Combined projects usually run 2–3 weeks total. Weather delays in London's unpredictable spring and fall can add time — build that buffer into your expectations.

Can I build a patio myself and hire a contractor just for the deck?

Absolutely, and it's a smart way to stretch your budget. Patio installation — especially interlocking pavers — is manageable for a capable DIYer with proper base preparation. Deck construction, particularly anything elevated, involves structural engineering, code compliance, and safety considerations that make professional installation worth every dollar. Just make sure your patio grading works with the planned deck drainage.

What's the best material combination for a deck-and-patio project in London?

For London's climate, composite decking paired with interlocking concrete pavers is the most popular and practical combination. Both handle freeze-thaw cycles without constant maintenance. The composite gives you a warm, wood-look surface where you step out from the house, and pavers provide a durable, slip-resistant surface at ground level. Total cost for a mid-size combined project (200 sq ft deck + 200 sq ft patio): roughly $18,000–$32,000 CAD installed.

Should I get my deck and patio built at the same time?

Yes, if budget allows. Building both simultaneously saves on mobilization costs (getting equipment and materials to your site), ensures drainage is coordinated between the two surfaces, and results in a more cohesive design. Most contractors offer a 5–10% discount on combined projects compared to doing them separately. You also only deal with one construction disruption instead of two.