Patios in Buckingham.

The back gardens on the post-1970 estates are generously sized and flat, so there is rarely any retaining or stepping to pay for. The effort, and the budget, go into a proper base and a clean finish instead.

Porcelain in a light grey goes well with the newer brick on Lace Hill and the later estates. Around Market Hill, West Street and Castle Street, Indian sandstone suits the older Georgian and Victorian brick.

Conservation rules in the centre are about the street, so a back garden patio is rarely affected, but Terry checks if you are on one of the roads the council has consulted on adding.

Narrow streets in the town centre mean a skip goes on the plot or a permit there; on the estates the van and skip fit on the drive.

A family garden gets heavy use, so the choice of slab matters: porcelain shrugs off spilled drinks and barbecue grease, while sandstone weathers in and hides everyday wear. Terry brings both so you can compare them on your own lawn.