Discussion
princeperch said:
When I diyd a patio 2 weeks ago, I used a sbr slurry mix to the reverse on each slab. They are absolutely rock solid.
I know a lot of the old boys are probably set in their own ways but for the sake of 2 or 3 bags of cement and 10L or whatever of sbr-why take the risk? It would add 50 to 100 quid to the job.
Up until last year I'd only laid cheap slabs on sand, usually as a base for a small shed. Last year we wanted to redo our patio, and after realising we could save about £4k doing it ourselves I took the plunge. Had never heard of priming the slabs and was almost tempted to not bother, mainly because I was already mixing the mortar by hand and saw it as an extra faff. However, in the end I did get it and so glad I did - primed and laid on a wet bed, my amateur attempt isn't perfectly level but "decent enough", and after 8 months doesn't feel like it's going to move any time soon.I know a lot of the old boys are probably set in their own ways but for the sake of 2 or 3 bags of cement and 10L or whatever of sbr-why take the risk? It would add 50 to 100 quid to the job.
fourstardan said:
KAgantua said:
As others siad, dry mix (Not a great idea for laying slabs) and no SBR buttered on the back, what a cowboy
Maybe OP paid cowboy prices though.Labour was £3.9k plus materials, slabs.
there's your answer betting the firm aren't VAT registered
for a 50m2 area with a limestone / sandstone paver on full mortar bed mix ,& using easy joint
£240 m2 = 10,000 plus VAT so £12,000 fully guaranteed
Purosangue said:
fourstardan said:
KAgantua said:
As others siad, dry mix (Not a great idea for laying slabs) and no SBR buttered on the back, what a cowboy
Maybe OP paid cowboy prices though.Labour was £3.9k plus materials, slabs.
there's your answer betting the firm aren't VAT registered
for a 50m2 area with a limestone / sandstone paver on full mortar bed mix ,& using easy joint
£240 m2 = 10,000 plus VAT so £12,000 fully guaranteed
We realised we can't afford a patio yet.
Had a ropey one done 10yrs ago at a different house. When I asked why they'd pointed half of it with sand rather than mortar, chap blamed it on his labourer mixing up. He didn't notice the yellow colour as he was colour blind apparently!
As by way of an update he hasn’t turned up. To be expected.
For those above quoting how much a patio should cost, I got 2 quotes and both in the same ball park.
This wasn’t near 50m2.
Looks like i’ll be sending him a letter. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but doesn’t help with the money. I’ll be having a go myself next time to save cash.
Thanks for your advice all.
For those above quoting how much a patio should cost, I got 2 quotes and both in the same ball park.
This wasn’t near 50m2.
Looks like i’ll be sending him a letter. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but doesn’t help with the money. I’ll be having a go myself next time to save cash.
Thanks for your advice all.
carlo996 said:
Why is it so expensive to lay a patio. Was quoted 10K last year, it’s like nobody wants the work? I’ll take a week off in the summer and do it myself tbh. Only ballache is handling larger slabs.
They are insane money for what it is. I am two days in to mine which is about 18m2. 6 ton of soil out
6 ton of hardcore in and compacted
So far I am up to £530 including digger hire and compactor plate.
Slabs are about £600 for sandstone and there a bit more to spend on cement.
Didn’t bother getting quotes but I imagine in the 8-10k range for south east
carlo996 said:
Why is it so expensive to lay a patio. Was quoted 10K last year, it’s like nobody wants the work? I’ll take a week off in the summer and do it myself tbh. Only ballache is handling larger slabs.
As you say.....it's a ballache job! Also add onto that no doubt the latest fads in tiles demanding cutting tools/blades that mount up.Does give me the shudders how much people want for the job as I really would like to spend on a patio.
Purosangue said:
BlindedByTheLights said:
Cowboy
straight to small claims then get HMRC on his case , more than likely hes a cash in hand cowboy and post photos of his abortion on face book and then post a few flyers around town his business will be toast
He has warned me that if any funny business happens on social media though he will send it to the police. An honest review won’t hurt though right
I won’t post his message on here but if you want to see it PM me.
sc0tt said:
Update: I have had an text. He has contacted his barrister and told them that I was up for a claim all along. This is my fault that I walked on them and pulled up a perfectly good patio.
He was going to sort it but after my actions he won’t be.
He was never going to sort it properly. And no way does he have a barrister.He was going to sort it but after my actions he won’t be.
carlo996 said:
Why is it so expensive to lay a patio. Was quoted 10K last year, it’s like nobody wants the work? I’ll take a week off in the summer and do it myself tbh. Only ballache is handling larger slabs.
If your a father and son outfit , yes you can make a decent profit , its a different story for an established VAT registered building company who have time served surveyors , and a team of professional carpenters , builders etc , running an office and warehouse and are prepared to guarantee their work , not much profit to be made competing on a small patio an example for a 50m2 patio
£12,000 Vat registered company after VAT deductions 20%
so your looking at £10,000 figure
- muck away cost if its wet soil / rubble = 15m3 or 22 tons so x2 grab lorries = £1,000
- 150mm of crushed limestone MOT 7.5m3 0r 15 tons = £850
- 4.5 tons sharp sand = £450
- 800 kg cement = 32 bags = £240
-easy joint tubs £63.50 x8 = £508
- dt stone = 50m2 mint antiqued sandstone £ 42 +VAT = £50.4 = £2,520 edit you always order + 6% extra tiles for cutting etc = 53m2= £2,671
digger hire = £170
tools / compactor hire = £100
labour 5 days 3 men 500 x 5 = £2,500
fuel = £150
vehicles / company overheads = £500
= profit £800
that's not a lot of profit
Edited by Purosangue on Monday 29th April 22:39
darreni said:
sc0tt said:
Update: I have had an text. He has contacted his barrister and told them that I was up for a claim all along. This is my fault that I walked on them and pulled up a perfectly good patio.
He was going to sort it but after my actions he won’t be.
He was never going to sort it properly. And no way does he have a barrister.He was going to sort it but after my actions he won’t be.
is he registered on check a trade ? i would pursue through small claims , and definitely post photos of the work , any independant assessor would evaluate that as an unprofessional job
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