Patios in Bedford.

On the Victorian terraces and villas in Castle, De Parys and Queens Park, Indian sandstone suits the older brick. On the newer houses at Great Denham and Wixams, porcelain suits anyone who wants a patio that does not stain or fade.

The 1930s semis and 1960s to 80s estates in Brickhill, Putnoe and Goldington have established back gardens, where a patio across the back of the house is laid level on a proper base.

A back garden patio is rarely caught by Bedford's many conservation areas, which are mostly about the street, but Terry checks all the same.

Where a terrace has no side access, Terry works out at the visit how the materials reach the back. Near the centre and station, the skip permit and van parking are arranged in advance because of the controlled parking zones.

Bedford is the furthest point of our area, around half an hour up the road from Milton Keynes. Terry fits the visit into a day when he is already heading that way, and the written quote sets out the start date and how many days the team will be on site before you agree to anything.