Patio area - DIY or not?
Discussion
I've got an area that is mostly slabbed that's 4.4m x 6.3m in the garden. The slabs are old and chipped, and we want to replace them with a new patio, probably Indian Sandstone as it doesn't appear to be that much expensive than the better concrete ones. We also plan on building a small wall round it (was brick, got a quote, decided to do it in sleepers instead).
I've had a look under the slabs and it's got a screed mix with some hardcore in it, but none of the slabs have moved in what looks like 20 years.
I've had a quote to lay it from a builder who did our extension who I trust, does a proper job. He's planning on hardcore, compacting, sand cement mix and supply the stone (Marketstone by Stonemarket). All in comes to 1600 + vat. This seems pretty reasonable to me as when I looked at the stone it worked out at 760 +VAT just for the stone.
Is this a reasonable quote? As while it's a good bit more than I can get the stones at I know it'll be there another 20 years whereas if I do it I suspect I'll bodge something along the way.
I've had a look under the slabs and it's got a screed mix with some hardcore in it, but none of the slabs have moved in what looks like 20 years.
I've had a quote to lay it from a builder who did our extension who I trust, does a proper job. He's planning on hardcore, compacting, sand cement mix and supply the stone (Marketstone by Stonemarket). All in comes to 1600 + vat. This seems pretty reasonable to me as when I looked at the stone it worked out at 760 +VAT just for the stone.
Is this a reasonable quote? As while it's a good bit more than I can get the stones at I know it'll be there another 20 years whereas if I do it I suspect I'll bodge something along the way.
Currently doing this myself. Quite a bit of work to get nice and flat. If you'd rather have a day doing something else, then that seems like a pretty good quote.
http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag1.htm
Cheers,
FT.
http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag1.htm
Cheers,
FT.
Having done a much smaller bit of patio'ing than that, I would gladly pay that money to have someone else do it.
Don't underestimate what a back-breaking PITA job it is to dig an area out and lay hardcore and compact it level with appropriate drop for rain water run off.
At least you've already got a base to start from, I had to get a rotavator and dig out clay. Never again. GAMI from now on.
Don't underestimate what a back-breaking PITA job it is to dig an area out and lay hardcore and compact it level with appropriate drop for rain water run off.
At least you've already got a base to start from, I had to get a rotavator and dig out clay. Never again. GAMI from now on.
Indeed, I know I could do it myself deep inside as I made a much bigger tiered deck in the past, but that took me 3 months doing bits when i could but was the best single job I've ever done in terms of DIY. I mean, it was even level ;-)
I guess by the time I've added the other materials and the hire of a compactor to what I'd need to pay it's probably about £500 to get it laid professionally, which seems pretty cheap to me (I know he's not paying list on materials either, but you get the idea).
I think I'll get him to do it and I'll build the wall, seems a fair compromise. While I don't doubt I could do it, I suspect the missus wouldn't be overly impressed if it wasn't finished until October no matter how good a job I'd done.
Another side question - Marketstone by Stonemarket - what's the opinion on it, should I be looking at anything else? Seems to be good quality but cheaper material (I refuse to call 800 quids worth of sandstone cheap!)
I guess by the time I've added the other materials and the hire of a compactor to what I'd need to pay it's probably about £500 to get it laid professionally, which seems pretty cheap to me (I know he's not paying list on materials either, but you get the idea).
I think I'll get him to do it and I'll build the wall, seems a fair compromise. While I don't doubt I could do it, I suspect the missus wouldn't be overly impressed if it wasn't finished until October no matter how good a job I'd done.
Another side question - Marketstone by Stonemarket - what's the opinion on it, should I be looking at anything else? Seems to be good quality but cheaper material (I refuse to call 800 quids worth of sandstone cheap!)
Buggles said:
My Dad used to say that he would never pay someone to do something he could do himself.
In answer to the OP, for that price and that size patio, give the man the money. If you feel really bad about about paying for the job to be done, spend the day helping him and seeing how he really earns his money. I bet you last till midday at the latest.
Is he going to take up the old slabs and get rid of them too? Cos that's a skip load to start with at £150.
Sounds a good price.
Laid a patio myself earlier in the year, pain in the arse but nothing impossible, few falts with it with slabs that are not quite even distance so the pointings a bit off but they are mostly bits that only I notice.
Its even level, which is nice.
I was steared away from Indian stone from a builder mate of mine as apprently they tend to split in the slap which makes them rock and feel like the base is knacknered.
I also borrowed a mates whacker plate and a mixer so that kept my cost down.
Its even level, which is nice.
I was steared away from Indian stone from a builder mate of mine as apprently they tend to split in the slap which makes them rock and feel like the base is knacknered.
I also borrowed a mates whacker plate and a mixer so that kept my cost down.
ColinM50 said:
In answer to the OP, for that price and that size patio, give the man the money. If you feel really bad about about paying for the job to be done, spend the day helping him and seeing how he really earns his money. I bet you last till midday at the latest.
Is he going to take up the old slabs and get rid of them too? Cos that's a skip load to start with at £150.
Sounds a good price.
He's charging me £25 to lift the old slabs which I'm going to re-use the decent ones around my veg patch (I'm not overly precious about how that looks and it's quite a big area as well but I'll do that myself) and the rest will go into a skip when we do a loft conversion later in the year. And I know how hard these guys work, when they did our extension they were here at 8am and didn't stop until 5, sometimes 6, with minimal stops for tea and lunch. I was shattered just watching them but they work to a high standard for sensible money and are nice guys to go with it. Landed on my feet with them to be honest. Is he going to take up the old slabs and get rid of them too? Cos that's a skip load to start with at £150.
Sounds a good price.
Jgtv said:
I was steared away from Indian stone from a builder mate of mine as apprently they tend to split in the slap which makes them rock and feel like the base is knacknered.
Interesting, what did you lay instead? I had heard stories like that but they were mainly on some of the early Indian stone which has apparently got much better. Hi, sandstone that has been calibrated (equal size and thickness) and is of a less pourous nature (avoid fossil sandstone it is like chalk) is fine and looks far better than concrete slabs.
Im in the landscaping trade and lay sandstone patios near enough every week, people are right it is hard work and whilst it can be done yourself it is a hell of a lot easier if you have the right equipment which can save you time, money and your back!
your quote sounds about right and if its someone you trust then all the better.
Im in the landscaping trade and lay sandstone patios near enough every week, people are right it is hard work and whilst it can be done yourself it is a hell of a lot easier if you have the right equipment which can save you time, money and your back!
your quote sounds about right and if its someone you trust then all the better.
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