Patios and patio roofs for Newcastle homes

I’m Liam Sharpe, a licensed carpenter. I build patio roofs and covered outdoor areas for homes across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland.

Book a free on-site quote 0402 499 810

5.0 on Google
Licence 383930C
10+ years in the trade

Liam Sharpe and his apprentice in Sharpe shirts and tool belts — Pictured: Liam Sharpe and his apprentice

What a patio is

A patio is the flat outdoor space off the back of the house, usually a concrete slab or pavers. What makes it usable is the roof over it. A patio roof is a timber frame of posts, beams and rafters with sheeting on top, fixed to the house or standing on its own posts.

Patio roofs go hand in hand with the pergolas I build around Newcastle. At West Wallsend I built a pergola and merbau screen over the back of a home as part of a set of additions, and the owner says they have breakfast out there most mornings.

What our customers say

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tom payne

3 months ago

Really happy with the work from Sharpe Building & Construction. We had a pretty tight timeline, and even when a few unexpected issues came up, they handled everything without any fuss. The job was completed by the deadline, and the whole process was smooth and stress-free. Would definitely recommend them

Response from the owner3 months ago

Thank you, Tom! We really appreciate your kind words and are glad we could deliver the project on time despite the unexpected challenges. It was a pleasure working with you, and we are thrilled you’re happy with the result. Thank you for choosing Sharpe Building & Constructions. We truly appreciate your recommendation !

Dot Hodder

3 months ago

Thanks Liam. You did a beautiful job of working out what I wanted. My home feels complete with the new additions, plus the pergola. I found you by word of mouth and you certainly didn't disappoint.

Response from the owner3 months ago

Thank you so much, Dot! It was a pleasure working with you and bringing your ideas to life. I’m really glad you’re happy with the end result and that your home feels complete with the new additions and pergola. Thank you for trusting Sharpe Building & Constructions. We truly appreciate your kind words and support!

Renee & Brendon Harley

3 months ago

Needed some windows installed. Easily done, no fuss. Polite crew.

Response from the owner3 days ago

Thanks Renee and Brendon. Glad the new windows went in smoothly. If there is anything else you need done around the house, Sharpe Building & Constructions is happy to help across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Liam

Recent covered outdoor areas

“I still can’t believe how great this is, we have breakfast here most mornings. Liam and Jet have great comradery and work ethics. Liam kept me in the loop as to what to expect, price and time wise, both very reasonable.”
Dorothy Hodder, West Wallsend, on Liam’s Facebook post of her pergola

What patio roofs do you build?

Attached patio roofs
A roof fixed to the house over the back door and slab, so you step straight out under cover.
Freestanding patio roofs
A roof on its own posts out in the yard, over a slab or a deck.
Flat or pitched
A flat roof with a slight fall for drainage, or a pitched gable roof that adds height.
Screens and sides
Timber slat screens on one side for privacy and to block the afternoon sun.

What goes on top of a patio?

The roof decides how much sun and rain gets through.

Steel roof

Pre-coloured steel sheeting keeps out sun and rain completely, with a gutter to carry the water away.

Pergola with a merbau screen at West Wallsend

Clear sheeting

Clear polycarbonate sheeting keeps the rain off and still lets light into the rooms behind.

Merbau slat screen in the corner of a yard

Open rafters

No roof at all, just beams and rafters for dappled shade, with screens for privacy.

Do I need council approval for a patio roof?

Patios and their roofs fall under the same NSW rules as pergolas and decks. Many are exempt development, with no council approval, if they meet every rule on the NSW Government page on decks and patios:

No more than 25 m², and all patios, decks and pergolas on the block together no more than 15% of the house’s ground floor area.
No part higher than 3 m above the ground.
At least 900 mm from the side and back boundaries, and behind the building line of the street.
Any metal roof low-reflective and factory pre-coloured.

A bigger or higher patio roof needs a complying development certificate or a development application with City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland or Cessnock council. We check it when I measure up.

What changes the price of a patio roof?

Every patio is priced on site. These change the cost the most:

Size: The area it covers, which sets the posts, beams and rafters.
Roof: Open rafters, clear sheeting or a steel roof with gutters.
Attached or freestanding: Freestanding needs more posts and footings.
Timber: Treated pine or hardwood for the frame.
Screens: Slat screens on the sides.

The quote is free, and you get the price before any work starts. Residential building work over $5,000 also needs a licensed contractor and a written contract under NSW law, as NSW Fair Trading sets out. Every job over that amount comes with one.

How a patio job runs

1Send the job
Use the form or call 0402 499 810. Photos of the spot help.
2Free on-site quote
I come out, measure the patio and the house, and give you a price.
3Posts, beams, roof
Footings and posts first, then beams, rafters and the roof you picked.
4Walk-through
We look over the finished job together.

Get a free on‑site quote.

Tell me the job and your suburb. I’ll call you to book a time, come out, measure up and give you a price before any work starts. Or call 0402 499 810.

5.0 on Google reviews
Licence 383930C, check it on the NSW register
Free on‑site quote

Questions about patios

What is the difference between a patio and a pergola?

A patio is the flat space on the ground, usually a slab. A pergola is the frame over it. A patio roof is a pergola with a solid roof.

Can you build a patio roof over my existing slab?

Yes. The posts sit on footings at the slab edge or bolt to the slab if it is thick enough. I check when I measure up.

Do you pour the concrete?

I build the timber structure and roof. A concreter pours a new slab, and I can work in with one.

Can a patio roof be attached to my house?

Yes. It fixes to the house at the fascia or the wall, depending on the height you want.

Is the quote free?

Yes. I come out, measure up and give you a price before any work starts. Call 0402 499 810.

Where do you build patios?

I’m based at 4 Nightingale Crescent, Cameron Park NSW 2285 and build across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland. There’s no showroom: I come to you to look at the job.

Call 0402 499 810 or email sharpeconstructions@aol.com. Licence 383930C, ABN 27 866 451 671.