How much to build this wall in the UK?

[Driller]

We've just had some ridiculous quotes to build a stone wall here in France. It will be 2m high, about 20m long and 450mm thick. It will be also slightly curved. Here is a photo of a very similar wall (unfinished) in the same yellowstone stone but which is not curved:



Could somebody say very basically what the approximate price should be?

[Nuisance_Value]

Anywhere from £100 to £150/m2 depending on materials and area. Copings would be about £50/m. So between £5k and £7k, very roughly. Plus VAT of course here in the UK.

[Driller]

Thanks very much for the reply.

The two quotes I've had are €35,000.00 and €27,000.00

Sick and tired of "Ripoff France" now

ETA Any builders here want to come and do our wall? Nice big guest room for you to stay in and French cooking/wine!

Edited by Driller on Monday 4th July 19:29

[Spudler]

If you can get anyone to do it for 5-7K i should bite their hand off.

Labour only i wouldn't entertain it for anything less than 12k.

[m3jappa]

The problem is that its a bit more specialist than a normal brick wall.

I.m pretty convinced it would be way more than 7k+vat here though i suppose up north its cheaper.

Either way its not 30 odd grands worth.

I would be looking for stone specialists from places like Wales who will be up for the work and likely up for the travelling.

I know its paving related but have an ask on www.pavingexpert.com as theres a lot of good people on there and i know some travel about.

[Nuisance_Value]

Spudler said:

If you can get anyone to do it for 5-7K i should bite their hand off.

Labour only i wouldn't entertain it for anything less than 12k.

£300/m2 on labour only rates? I must be in the wrong part of the country if you can get that. The big housebuilders have hammered us lately rates wise.

m3jappa said:

The problem is that its a bit more specialist than a normal brick wall.

I.m pretty convinced it would be way more than 7k+vat here though i suppose up north its cheaper.

Either way its not 30 odd grands worth.

I've not priced random stone walling for a few years to be honest and consulted Spons to get an idea of rates. Labour rates up here (Scotland) have dropped massively just lately, but I agree £25k plus is expensive.

To the OP, are you supplying materials? I work for a Scottish LO masonry sub-contractor and know a few squads that travel and may be interested, as there is currently a lull here due to the housebuilders end of year (they tend not to release new build founds for a few weeks) and the holidays (Glasgow Fair and the like) Depends how quick you want it building and can get mobilised.

PM me if you're interested and I'll send you my details, all without obligation of course.

[Simpo Two]

I wonder if the quote would be lower if you got a French guy to ask, rather than a 'Rosbif'?

[Driller]

Thanks for the info and links and yes I forgot to say that the stones are ready and waiting and the cement can also be supplied.

NV I shall get a PM off to you.

[OzzyR1]

From experience of similar, I would say £16-18K.

Not cheap but its a big wall & at 450mm its one hell of a structure that takes some specialisation. About £8-12K materials dependant on availability of stone. Do they have to put new footings in?

[Driller]

Nope it's replacing an existing wall. All the necessary stone is on site. £18 is getting on for the French prices. I assume that the fact that it is curved adds to the cost.

[Spudler]

Driller said:

I assume that the fact that it is curved adds to the cost.

It does.
Brick or stone built on a curve requires a lot of level (plumbing) work.
Also, some form of scaffold/hop-up will be required, which bumps up the cost.

[Simpo Two]

OzzyR1 said:

at 450mm its one hell of a structure that takes some specialisation.

How about breezeblock middle and stone facings?

[Driller]

Cheers for the info Spudler.

Missed your post above Simpo. The wife dealt with it and she's a Frog through and through . Thought about a breezeblock core but as we're done everything else "in the style" we wanted to avoid this. With the prices they're quoting I'm not sure this will make a lot of difference.

[shimmey69]

i know of a few guys who would be interested in this sort of work, so i have sent you an email asking a few more details.

Many thanks

[dickymint]

Spudler said:

Driller said:

I assume that the fact that it is curved adds to the cost.

It does.
Brick or stone built on a curve requires a lot of level (plumbing) work.
Also, some form of scaffold/hop-up will be required, which bumps up the cost.

Not really My mate and I lay a "core" of 4" blockwork which is easy) then lay the stone either side. You just need to use a tape measure to keep the stone the same distance from the blockwork. Much stronger wall as well. The skill is in the dressing and picking of the stone.

[blueg33]

Nuisance_Value said:

Anywhere from £100 to £150/m2 depending on materials and area. Copings would be about £50/m. So between £5k and £7k, very roughly. Plus VAT of course here in the UK.

That is much too low for a natural stone wall that high.

Dry stone walling for me as a developer can be up to £600 per linear metre for a 1.5m high wall. So for a wall like that in the UK especially considering its height I reckon you could be looking at £800 per metre. The type of stone, the amount of stone prep prep the waller has to do on site and the distance it has to come from the quarry are all factors.

So I would say £16k plus VAT totaling £19k ish

[dickymint]

PS. I can post some photos later. Ball park figure £10k - £15k. I'll ask my mate if He's interested. I certainly am.

[JR]

Driller said:

I forgot to say that the stones are ready and waiting and the cement can also be supplied.

Think about the cement. A long wall will crack if it's OPC.You'll need either a lime mortar or an engineered design with movement joints.

[dickymint]

JR said:

Driller said:

I forgot to say that the stones are ready and waiting and the cement can also be supplied.

Think about the cement. A long wall will crack if it's OPC.You'll need either a lime mortar or an engineered design with movement joints.

We use dust (very coarse) instead of sand. With lime and cement. Also wall ties to bind it all.

[Driller]

JR said:

Think about the cement. A long wall will crack if it's OPC.You'll need either a lime mortar or an engineered design with movement joints.

I meant mortar in fact, the company I would buy from sells traditional stuff similar to that used 100 odd years ago.

Tonker, the other quote was E35000.00 In fact, for the wall, a ten meter odd path from gate to front door and some decking the total was 54,000.00 Euros.

Sounds like you've had a similar experience along the way, in the South there perhaps?