Paving - to DIY or not to DIY?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking into paving the small back yard.
I have picked out roughly the style of paver I'm looking for, 600x600.
There is 3-4 inch of concrete layed, I think I need to dig this up, then compact in some hardcore.
There is quite a fall on one side of the yard, due to manhole cover ( which I will most likely have to swap for a recessed one.
Any other tips/points for consideration you good people might have?
how much is my time worth?Never been asked that before!
I am quite practical, and by that I mean I will give new things a go. It will not be to the standard that a trademan can achieve, by the same token I won't be happy doing a slapdash job either.
I would doubt this would take a trademan a week to do, so if I was still pissing about 6 weeks later at this, I would be asking myself serious questions....
What I had also considered was just making the ground ready ( ripping up concrete, laying hardcore etc) and the then geting someone in to lay the pavers.
With getting married next year, money is an issue. I also don't relish some of the (no doubt) ludicrous quotes I would receive when pricing a job like this.
I am quite practical, and by that I mean I will give new things a go. It will not be to the standard that a trademan can achieve, by the same token I won't be happy doing a slapdash job either.
I would doubt this would take a trademan a week to do, so if I was still pissing about 6 weeks later at this, I would be asking myself serious questions....
What I had also considered was just making the ground ready ( ripping up concrete, laying hardcore etc) and the then geting someone in to lay the pavers.
With getting married next year, money is an issue. I also don't relish some of the (no doubt) ludicrous quotes I would receive when pricing a job like this.
Take a look at this site. Great sourse of knowledge http://www.pavingexpert.com/patio01.htm
How large is your small back yard?
Do you want to do it for the challenge of doing it, or do you want to just get the job done? If the former, don't underestimate what a back breaking PITA job it is. Actually laying the slabs is the easiest bit, the hardest bit is all the prep, getting it dug out (esp. if on clay), compacted, sub base, sand etc.
I'm glad I did mine (very small bit of side patio about 10m x 1) but it was a PITA and took several weekends.
Do you want to do it for the challenge of doing it, or do you want to just get the job done? If the former, don't underestimate what a back breaking PITA job it is. Actually laying the slabs is the easiest bit, the hardest bit is all the prep, getting it dug out (esp. if on clay), compacted, sub base, sand etc.
I'm glad I did mine (very small bit of side patio about 10m x 1) but it was a PITA and took several weekends.
I'd suggest you make sure you know what to do with the drain cover and also spend time on the preparation - getting it level (with a slight fall for rainwater run-off and drainage, if applicable).
It's not difficult but is hard work. At our last house, we got ridiculous quotes for levelling the garden and creating a patio area so I thought I would do it myself in a week off work between two weekends, hire a mini-digger and a big skip: Job done.
No it wasn't! 3 weeks and 5 more skips later it was though! I've never worked so hard in my life but was VERY proud of the end result and OH, friends and family were very complimentary which made it all the more worthwhile.
Have a go yourself and if you have any mates or family who can help with advice or labour, take it!!
Good luck.
It's not difficult but is hard work. At our last house, we got ridiculous quotes for levelling the garden and creating a patio area so I thought I would do it myself in a week off work between two weekends, hire a mini-digger and a big skip: Job done.
No it wasn't! 3 weeks and 5 more skips later it was though! I've never worked so hard in my life but was VERY proud of the end result and OH, friends and family were very complimentary which made it all the more worthwhile.
Have a go yourself and if you have any mates or family who can help with advice or labour, take it!!
Good luck.
thanks for the advice buzz & Langy.
Its not massive (6x7m).
I ain't afraid of a bit of graft, I have laid concrete and crazy paving on a few occasions with my old man.
I had thought that rather than hire a skip, I could find someone in the area who wants a bit of rubble ( prob a ton, ton and a half max) for fill, and just load a trailer with it.
I understand the importance of the prep, just getting the sub-base and fall right are areas I am a little unsure of.
I had considered a long weekend at it, then get my pops to assist me with the flag laying ( he is knocking on, so any heavy lifting I will handle myself). Perhaps my long weekend idea is a little optomistic?!
Its not massive (6x7m).
I ain't afraid of a bit of graft, I have laid concrete and crazy paving on a few occasions with my old man.
I had thought that rather than hire a skip, I could find someone in the area who wants a bit of rubble ( prob a ton, ton and a half max) for fill, and just load a trailer with it.
I understand the importance of the prep, just getting the sub-base and fall right are areas I am a little unsure of.
I had considered a long weekend at it, then get my pops to assist me with the flag laying ( he is knocking on, so any heavy lifting I will handle myself). Perhaps my long weekend idea is a little optomistic?!
Good luck finding someone to take the rubble.
Presuming you are paving up to the house, start your levels from the brickwork and fall it away from that, remember to keep the finished surface of the slabs at least 2 courses of bricks below the damp proof course (150mm).
A long weekend should do it. That is a fairly large area and a fair few slabs to put down if you've never done it before but it is do-able, all depends on how many tea breaks you take
.
Presuming you are paving up to the house, start your levels from the brickwork and fall it away from that, remember to keep the finished surface of the slabs at least 2 courses of bricks below the damp proof course (150mm).
A long weekend should do it. That is a fairly large area and a fair few slabs to put down if you've never done it before but it is do-able, all depends on how many tea breaks you take
.Would you ask someone off the street to service your pride and joy?
It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
Would you ask someone off the street to service your pride and joy?
It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
albundy89 said:
Would you ask someone off the street to service your pride and joy?
It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
Have a search on here about the many botched jobs by the 'professional trades'. If you can do it yourself, do it yourself is my motto. Any novice with some patience and half a brain can do a better job than the trade it just takes longer. It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
albundy89 said:
Would you ask someone off the street to service your pride and joy?
It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
Quite agree but you miss one point in that a lot of people derive great enjoyment from tackling these sorts of tasks, me included.It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
For quite a lot of these types of projects, a successful outcome is more down to planning, tools and common sense. There are those that do require certain skills - plastering, brick laying, etc, where professional services will always be needed so it's just about balancing these things.
Vron said:
albundy89 said:
Would you ask someone off the street to service your pride and joy?
It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
Have a search on here about the many botched jobs by the 'professional trades'. If you can do it yourself, do it yourself is my motto. Any novice with some patience and half a brain can do a better job than the trade it just takes longer. It really amazes me how many people are prepared to undertake SIMPLE building/construction jobs,with absolutely no knowledge or experience whatsoever and to see their abysmal efforts,yet if they had paid a tradesman and he had turned out the same standard of work no doubt Little Dominic and Melinda would have been called out forthwith.
GET SOMEONE IN WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
In response to albundy's comments, I would only say that I am NOT brilliant at DIY and the example I quoted was my first ever attempt and I did it without help or advice so it is possible for anyone to do it. Just take time over the planinng and prep stages and it should be straightforward(ish). You can always call someone in if you come across some unforeseen difficulty which you can't resolve yourself!
Go for it!
What forum sub section is this again??
Oh yeah the Homes, Gardens AND DIY!!!
If you think you can do it then give it a go, some advise would be leave the already level?? Concrete in place as will make laying new easier if you have firm level base to work on. Check the base is level though!!
Then start in on corner and work one line at a time.
Work out by measuring how many whole slabs you need also this way you can decide where you want the cut up slabs to be!!
Make sure the first slab is 1000% level and just work off that!!
Lay on a good base of mortar
Make sure you have a selection of different sized levels as they are a god send, most places sell a selection pack!
Any problems just ask
Good luck!!
Oh yeah the Homes, Gardens AND DIY!!!
If you think you can do it then give it a go, some advise would be leave the already level?? Concrete in place as will make laying new easier if you have firm level base to work on. Check the base is level though!!
Then start in on corner and work one line at a time.
Work out by measuring how many whole slabs you need also this way you can decide where you want the cut up slabs to be!!
Make sure the first slab is 1000% level and just work off that!!
Lay on a good base of mortar
Make sure you have a selection of different sized levels as they are a god send, most places sell a selection pack!
Any problems just ask
Good luck!!
shimmey69 said:
What forum sub section is this again??
Oh yeah the Homes, Gardens AND DIY!!!
If you think you can do it then give it a go, some advise would be leave the already level?? Concrete in place as will make laying new easier if you have firm level base to work on. Check the base is level though!!
Then start in on corner and work one line at a time.
Work out by measuring how many whole slabs you need also this way you can decide where you want the cut up slabs to be!!
Make sure the first slab is 1000% level and just work off that!!
Lay on a good base of mortar
Make sure you have a selection of different sized levels as they are a god send, most places sell a selection pack!
Any problems just ask
Good luck!!
cheers shim.Oh yeah the Homes, Gardens AND DIY!!!
If you think you can do it then give it a go, some advise would be leave the already level?? Concrete in place as will make laying new easier if you have firm level base to work on. Check the base is level though!!
Then start in on corner and work one line at a time.
Work out by measuring how many whole slabs you need also this way you can decide where you want the cut up slabs to be!!
Make sure the first slab is 1000% level and just work off that!!
Lay on a good base of mortar
Make sure you have a selection of different sized levels as they are a god send, most places sell a selection pack!
Any problems just ask
Good luck!!
Its been asked before here and yes I have considered why I would get rid of the concrete, ( it would make a good base) but it would also make the slabs sit too high. There is quite a run on one side of the yard ( run-off for the manhole cover), so I had thought of getting rid, digging it down 6 inches or so then building up a good sub-base. I think I shall photograph my attempts (when I get round to it, weather permitting also!)
shimmey69 said:
What forum sub section is this again??
Oh yeah the Homes, Gardens AND DIY!!!
If you think you can do it then give it a go, some advise would be leave the already level?? Concrete in place as will make laying new easier if you have firm level base to work on. Check the base is level though!!
Then start in on corner and work one line at a time.
Work out by measuring how many whole slabs you need also this way you can decide where you want the cut up slabs to be!!
Make sure the first slab is 1000% level and just work off that!!
Lay on a good base of mortar
Make sure you have a selection of different sized levels as they are a god send, most places sell a selection pack!
Any problems just ask
Good luck!!
You DONT want it level. Not 1000% level, not even 100% level. That's the point! You have to lay it with a slope running away from the house to allow drainage.Oh yeah the Homes, Gardens AND DIY!!!
If you think you can do it then give it a go, some advise would be leave the already level?? Concrete in place as will make laying new easier if you have firm level base to work on. Check the base is level though!!
Then start in on corner and work one line at a time.
Work out by measuring how many whole slabs you need also this way you can decide where you want the cut up slabs to be!!
Make sure the first slab is 1000% level and just work off that!!
Lay on a good base of mortar
Make sure you have a selection of different sized levels as they are a god send, most places sell a selection pack!
Any problems just ask
Good luck!!
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