# Paved courtyard cleaning: what should be included? Canonical: https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/paved-courtyard-cleaning-scope/ Language: en By Puro Terraço3 min readPublished on 27 October 2026 ![Paved courtyard with pale slabs, raised stone-clad beds and a wooden shed in the background](https://www.puroterraco.pt/_astro/patio-lajes-abrigo.NS5oZhuT_1trdvC.jpeg) A paved courtyard is rarely just paving: raised beds, sheds and edges define where a cleaning job starts and where it stops. In this guide Cleaning a paved courtyard should start by identifying its surfaces and the work you want done. Washing outdoor flooring is different from cutting vegetation, removing rubble or maintaining a garden. Separating these tasks in your enquiry makes quotations easier to compare and avoids using “courtyard cleaning” for very different needs. A forty-square-metre space may include tiles, a stone path, flower beds and a small timber deck. Being within the same boundary does not mean every area needs the same treatment. ## Divide the courtyard into simple areas List the materials you can identify. If you are unsure about one, describe it and send a photograph. An approximate but clear description is more useful than calling every hard surface “stone”. | Area | Information to send | | --- | --- | | Paving beside the house | Material, area and condition of the joints | | Footpath | Approximate width, steps and stains | | Outdoor dining area | Grease, furniture and frequency of use | | Decking | Timber or composite, known finish and visible condition | | Beds and soil | Boundaries to protect and gardening work to arrange separately | The quoted area should match the surfaces to be treated. The total size of the plot does not measure the area that needs cleaning. Map the space before asking for a price Setting out the areas avoids misunderstandings in the quote. These categories describe surfaces, not gardening work. 1. **Main surface**The continuous paved area, where people walk and sit. 2. **Edges and beds**The boundary between paving and soil, where residue collects. 3. **Access and steps**Passages, thresholds and stairs, counted separately. 4. **Structures**Sheds, low walls and barbecues: cleaning them is a request of its own. ## Clarify the scope of the work Your enquiry may include general surface cleaning and assessment of localised stains. It should also address moving pots and furniture, collecting waste and access to water or electricity where the method requires them. Do not assume a task is included simply because it is in the same space. Dismantling a structure, removing abandoned materials or repairing paving are different jobs. Puro Terraço describes its [exterior surface cleaning and renovation services (page in Portuguese)](https://www.puroterraco.pt/limpeza-pavimentos-exteriores/); the quotation should identify which apply to your courtyard. If rubble or vegetation prevents access to the floor, show the situation before booking. The order of work may need to change. Cleaning an area before materials are removed from it can mean repeating some of the work. ## The type of dirt matters too Distinguish loose soil, green growth, grease and marks of unknown origin. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis. Explain where the marks appear and what happened beforehand: building work, meals, watering or a long period without use. For green growth, read [how to remove it without damaging a patio](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/remove-green-growth-patio-without-damage/). For equipment choices, see the guide to [pressure washing risks](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/can-pressure-washing-damage-stone-tiles/). Asking for everything to be pressure washed fixes the method before the surface is understood. Describe the result you want instead: removing accumulated dirt, revealing the material’s appearance or preparing an area for use again. ## Access changes the plan A courtyard reached directly from the street presents different conditions from one accessed through the home. Mention the passage width, any stairs and indoor surfaces that need protection. Explain whether this is the only route used by your family, children or animals. The work may need to be organised in sections. Protection and circulation should be arranged before the paving is made wet. For a property in Vagos, Ílhavo, Aveiro or Mira, send the locality or postcode. The full address can be shared when arranging a visit, without exposing it in public photographs or comments. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does courtyard cleaning include weeding and pruning? Not automatically. Vegetation between paving units can affect the surface assessment, but gardening, pruning and clearance should be specified separately. Do not assume they are included in washing. ### Can I request a quote without knowing the exact area? Yes. Start with photographs and approximate measurements. The quotation may require confirmation on site. Explain what you have measured and what remains unmeasured rather than presenting an estimate as exact. [Request a quote for the surfaces in your courtyard](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/quote/) and include an overview showing the intended boundaries. Check the [service areas (page in Portuguese)](https://www.puroterraco.pt/zonas/) for coverage. Further reading - [composite decking care](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/clean-composite-decking/) - [paved courtyard cleaning](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/paved-courtyard-cleaning-scope/) - [remove green growth without damaging the surface](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/remove-green-growth-patio-without-damage/) - [request a patio cleaning quote](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/quote/) ## Tell us about your patio Send photographs, the locality and the approximate area. These details help us provide initial guidance before confirming any points that need an on-site check. [Send my photos on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/351934826260?text=Hello%20Puro%20Terra%C3%A7o%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20quote%20for%20cleaning%20the%20paved%20areas%20of%20my%20courtyard%20in%20Portugal.%20I%20can%20send%20photos%2C%20known%20materials%2C%20approximate%20areas%20and%20access%20details.)[Request a quote](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/quote/) [All guides](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/)