Discussion
andrewturner said:
I need the blocks replacing on my driveway in north surrey (near surbiton/Kingston), the drive has sunk in a couple of areas from previous owners car being parked in the same place and I’d like a couple of flower beds putting in, however is there a per sq metre cost I should be looking to achieve? Presumably I won’t need to dig the whole lot out? Also thinking of keeping the old blocks to use as a path in the back garden so not too much to remove.
Thoughts welcome. We’ve currently got red ish blocks same dimensions as a house brick and I’d like some grey squarer blocks. Not sure what they are called but nothing too fancy. Just more contemporary than what I have!
Cheers Andrew
Have you seen driveways completed locally, do your friends have new drives? Get 2 highly recommended people in who's work has stood the test of time!Thoughts welcome. We’ve currently got red ish blocks same dimensions as a house brick and I’d like some grey squarer blocks. Not sure what they are called but nothing too fancy. Just more contemporary than what I have!
Cheers Andrew
Don't worry about square metre price, get 2 highly recommended quality persons/firms in and get them to quote.
m3jappa said:
Harry Flashman said:
Chaps - are the costs of doing a patio commensurate with doing a drive? I want about 60 square metres done properly, to hold sandstone. Anyone point me in the directions of estimating this?
Patios will always be more expensive.Everything comes out the back and everything has to go back round. Driveway, its all there by the kerbside.
Patio slabs are laid on a solid wet concrete bed as opposed to a sand screed. More cost and slower.
Slabs have to be pointed, either using the old sand and cement or a sweep in type product, either way more expensive and time consuming than sweeping sand in.
We do a lot of sandstone paving, all properly pointed and sealed when fully dry (usually go back 2-3 months after).
We are in the SE and would charge around £100 per m2
You want calibrated stone, will your builder not lay it? His work seems good?!
AMV said:
I have a question for anyone whos used resiblock. Should i be using resiblock instantly after installing the driveway or is this some sort of aftercare solution.
Check the instructions on their website. You can even buy a small sample tin to test on your pavers to see the colour change, before committing.Im pretty sure you can do it straight after laying, but you do need to ensure that the jointing sand is topped up with no gaps
Hopefully this thread is the best place to ask. We need to replace our knackered 60's concrete driveway. It's approximately 78sqm and we're going down the permeable route as we don't have space for another soakaway. Also my wife is a hydrologist, so creating run off is not happening.
Been looking at materials, a local firm has quoted £1850 - £2200 for the type 3 sub Base and 2 - 6 mm grit needed, depending on 200 or 300mm deep sub grade for prevailing ground conditions. Grit is 50mm deep. Does this sound reasonable?
Currently trying to get grab loader quotes to remove the spoil, likely 24cu m before bulking, including current surface of 150mm concrete. Any idea what this might come to?
Lastly the paving, Marshall's Drivesett Argent Priora looks good but it comes in at just over £50 m2 for the best price I've found. Once labour and other costs are added, it's looking pricey. Any recommendations for alternative blocks or where would be good to get a quote from? We really like the look of a paved driveway preferably in grey /dark grey, so that's our aim.
TIA.
Been looking at materials, a local firm has quoted £1850 - £2200 for the type 3 sub Base and 2 - 6 mm grit needed, depending on 200 or 300mm deep sub grade for prevailing ground conditions. Grit is 50mm deep. Does this sound reasonable?
Currently trying to get grab loader quotes to remove the spoil, likely 24cu m before bulking, including current surface of 150mm concrete. Any idea what this might come to?
Lastly the paving, Marshall's Drivesett Argent Priora looks good but it comes in at just over £50 m2 for the best price I've found. Once labour and other costs are added, it's looking pricey. Any recommendations for alternative blocks or where would be good to get a quote from? We really like the look of a paved driveway preferably in grey /dark grey, so that's our aim.
TIA.
RDBx said:
Hopefully this thread is the best place to ask. We need to replace our knackered 60's concrete driveway. It's approximately 78sqm
In the south east the going rate is £100 sq/m all in. Thats dug out, spoil away and relayed. I'd guess its the permeable blocks making that aspect expensive for you as the going rate for normal blocks is £25 sq/m.
My 70 sq/m drive needed pretty much two 18t grab lorry loads removed at I think around £300 each.
trickywoo said:
In the south east the going rate is £100 sq/m all in. Thats dug out, spoil away and relayed.
I'd guess its the permeable blocks making that aspect expensive for you as the going rate for normal blocks is £25 sq/m.
My 70 sq/m drive needed pretty much two 18t grab lorry loads removed at I think around £300 each.
Thanks, that total figure is matched here (Oxon) will unfortunately park the project in the not worth the outlay for the foreseeable. I'd guess its the permeable blocks making that aspect expensive for you as the going rate for normal blocks is £25 sq/m.
My 70 sq/m drive needed pretty much two 18t grab lorry loads removed at I think around £300 each.
Agree, the permeable blocks are looking costly. I'll do some more research into these but if there are any recommendations on makes other than Marshall or other stockist worth speaking to, I'd be grateful for the intel.
RDBx said:
trickywoo said:
In the south east the going rate is £100 sq/m all in. Thats dug out, spoil away and relayed.
I'd guess its the permeable blocks making that aspect expensive for you as the going rate for normal blocks is £25 sq/m.
My 70 sq/m drive needed pretty much two 18t grab lorry loads removed at I think around £300 each.
Thanks, that total figure is matched here (Oxon) will unfortunately park the project in the not worth the outlay for the foreseeable. I'd guess its the permeable blocks making that aspect expensive for you as the going rate for normal blocks is £25 sq/m.
My 70 sq/m drive needed pretty much two 18t grab lorry loads removed at I think around £300 each.
Agree, the permeable blocks are looking costly. I'll do some more research into these but if there are any recommendations on makes other than Marshall or other stockist worth speaking to, I'd be grateful for the intel.
[quote]
Am I right in thinking that the blocks aren't actually permeable, and they have 'spurs' on the side that keeps them a set distance apart, therefore permitting drainage.
[/quote]
Yes that’s correct. They also have to be laid on a special permeable sub base and different grit sand to allow the water to permeate all the way through.
However, they look ugly as the gaps are disproportionately large and they ‘blind’ over a period of time with dust and general crap, so don’t actually function as they should.
It’s better imho to use a conventional paving system and a soakaway or falls to a flower bed or similar
Am I right in thinking that the blocks aren't actually permeable, and they have 'spurs' on the side that keeps them a set distance apart, therefore permitting drainage.
[/quote]
Yes that’s correct. They also have to be laid on a special permeable sub base and different grit sand to allow the water to permeate all the way through.
However, they look ugly as the gaps are disproportionately large and they ‘blind’ over a period of time with dust and general crap, so don’t actually function as they should.
It’s better imho to use a conventional paving system and a soakaway or falls to a flower bed or similar
nicked from my renovation thread, this morning, for relevance:
So it's time for the next major phase of financial pain.
Driveway. About 150 square metres, being completely dug up and a combination of cobble-style permeable block paving and 20mm gravel laid, with new flowerbeds and paths etc.
However, the killer here is the groundwork. A great deal of drainage is happening to take water away from the front of the house, and away into the back garden (including sand filters etc to get me water for gardening, draining into large tanks hidden in the back. And a new soil pipe is being dug to join the front loos to the main drain - we bodged these with a long soil pipe run around the whole house before, which is ugly and doesn't work terribly well.
The cost of all of this? Aggressive. And it could be a thread all on its own!
Front of the house last summer after clearance - it is now covered in vegetation: nature comes back fast! The soil pipe to the right of the front door will now go straight into a new drain, rather than winding across to the left and down the side of the house, to the back.
20181029_140215 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Manhole cover found for deep soil drain, at left hand side of plot as you look at it, under tonnes of old rubble (driveway is basically rubble and soil at the moment)
20190803_085046 by baconrashers, on Flickr
Digging out a new channel for soil pipe. Will be going in and out through the garage today as the front door is a no-no
20190803_094907 by baconrashers, on Flickr
So it's time for the next major phase of financial pain.
Driveway. About 150 square metres, being completely dug up and a combination of cobble-style permeable block paving and 20mm gravel laid, with new flowerbeds and paths etc.
However, the killer here is the groundwork. A great deal of drainage is happening to take water away from the front of the house, and away into the back garden (including sand filters etc to get me water for gardening, draining into large tanks hidden in the back. And a new soil pipe is being dug to join the front loos to the main drain - we bodged these with a long soil pipe run around the whole house before, which is ugly and doesn't work terribly well.
The cost of all of this? Aggressive. And it could be a thread all on its own!
Front of the house last summer after clearance - it is now covered in vegetation: nature comes back fast! The soil pipe to the right of the front door will now go straight into a new drain, rather than winding across to the left and down the side of the house, to the back.
20181029_140215 by baconrashers, on FlickrManhole cover found for deep soil drain, at left hand side of plot as you look at it, under tonnes of old rubble (driveway is basically rubble and soil at the moment)
20190803_085046 by baconrashers, on FlickrDigging out a new channel for soil pipe. Will be going in and out through the garage today as the front door is a no-no
20190803_094907 by baconrashers, on FlickrHad 4 quotes for a completely new drive (wall out, kerb dropped and 3 loads of earth, sheds and trees taken out). This is in the south west, 85sqm of Marshalls Argent but not permeable.
Quotes have been:
£7,800
£8,800
£13,500
£15,200
The cheapest quote is from a guy well reviewed locally but he just didn't fill me with confidence when I asked him about the base etc. He also wanted to talk me into having cheaper blocks as I guess he'd make a bit more off them.
Going to go with the second quote I think as they seemed solid & I've seen their work
Most expensive quote was from a mate of a mate
Quotes have been:
£7,800
£8,800
£13,500
£15,200
The cheapest quote is from a guy well reviewed locally but he just didn't fill me with confidence when I asked him about the base etc. He also wanted to talk me into having cheaper blocks as I guess he'd make a bit more off them.
Going to go with the second quote I think as they seemed solid & I've seen their work
Most expensive quote was from a mate of a mate
Sargeant Orange said:
Had 4 quotes for a completely new drive (wall out, kerb dropped and 3 loads of earth, sheds and trees taken out). This is in the south west, 85sqm of Marshalls Argent but not permeable.
Quotes have been:
£7,800
£8,800
£13,500
£15,200
The cheapest quote is from a guy well reviewed locally but he just didn't fill me with confidence when I asked him about the base etc. He also wanted to talk me into having cheaper blocks as I guess he'd make a bit more off them.
Going to go with the second quote I think as they seemed solid & I've seen their work
Most expensive quote was from a mate of a mate
Wow 13 odd and 15 odd wow! Quotes have been:
£7,800
£8,800
£13,500
£15,200
The cheapest quote is from a guy well reviewed locally but he just didn't fill me with confidence when I asked him about the base etc. He also wanted to talk me into having cheaper blocks as I guess he'd make a bit more off them.
Going to go with the second quote I think as they seemed solid & I've seen their work
Most expensive quote was from a mate of a mate
I need to be charging that much haha! Would make my life a lot easier!
What I wonder is do people go with that? Some must do otherwise they wouldn’t be quoting it. I hope he’s driving a new Lambo and living a good lifestyle because on that money you would be
CharlieH89 said:
How can a quote be £7000 more than your 3rd dearest quote? 
You'll know how much the materials are, its not hard to calculate.
You pay for the labour and obviously the experience but for it to be thousands more for the same job is crazy.
I think the bulk of the expense with driveways is the unseen bit. A proper sub base costs many thousands of pounds more than most people do. Or he may be taking the piss.You'll know how much the materials are, its not hard to calculate.
You pay for the labour and obviously the experience but for it to be thousands more for the same job is crazy.
Quotes of 4-7K for a drive way around London or surrounding areas sounds roughly right to me.
I had this same debate with myself, Concrete or resin or blocks but I feel each one has advantages and disadvantages.
Having had tarmac and concrete patios, nightmare to repair or if they start breaking up its just patch jobs if not removal of the whole lot which is costly and time consuming.
Blocks at least can be lifted up and replaced in seconds, but true if the base ain't right same principle the whole lot has to come out !
Can't always win I guess, for maintenance though on blocks, good jet wash and maybe resand with klin and brush in Ammonium Sulphamate also, this way weed wont grow for almost a year am told. More info on it here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Some also put rock salt as a cheaper fix
I had this same debate with myself, Concrete or resin or blocks but I feel each one has advantages and disadvantages.
Having had tarmac and concrete patios, nightmare to repair or if they start breaking up its just patch jobs if not removal of the whole lot which is costly and time consuming.
Blocks at least can be lifted up and replaced in seconds, but true if the base ain't right same principle the whole lot has to come out !
Can't always win I guess, for maintenance though on blocks, good jet wash and maybe resand with klin and brush in Ammonium Sulphamate also, this way weed wont grow for almost a year am told. More info on it here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Some also put rock salt as a cheaper fix
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