Random flag layout and finding a good installer

[Garfield123]

Hi all, Am incredibly grateful for this fantastic and informative website. I'm new to The Brew Cabin and am looking for some advice - apologies in advance for an excessively wordy post!

We extended a concrete base, built for a brick/breeze block shed, which is now a raw concrete patio (approx. 2m*3m, 200mm deep). There's a wooden step (drip?) to enter the shed that's only one brick depth (7cm ish) above the level of the patio. Using Marshall's Firedstone paving, I’ve drawn a random rectangular layout using three sizes (300*300mm, 300*600mm, 600*600mm, all 40mm deep) allowing roughly 10cm across the top and one side (for joints and inconsistencies in flag size) that I’m happy to have filled with pebbles or something that will avoid the need to cut any of the flags (which look dreadful with a clean edge). Also, I saw the page on DPC, so because the height of the finished patio I wasn't sure if damp was going to be an issue inside the shed so I’m fine with the flags not finishing right under the step. (I've also just discovered the page on decorative overlay and have contacted ECS but it looks like it could be an expensive alternative to flags).

1) We are now trying to find someone to undertake this work (we are based in the north London N2 area) and have spoken to two sets of builders so far, but I just wanted to check if I am being overly harsh/worried in selecting an installer, seeing as this is not at all my area and everything I know has been self-taught using the site so I may have overlooked something. It just seems like there are a lot of things to consider and areas that could cause problems if not done properly. How do I make sure the person who does this job is going to do it correctly? E.g. what about the right bedding/mortar etc - is it fair to discuss ahead of the job starting and mentioning what I’ve found on the Paving Expert site? Personally, I hate being micromanaged and wouldn’t want to inflict that on anyone, but I don’t want a job that’s done only so-so.

2) Is it possible to lay a random pattern, sticking down one slab at a time and averaging the joint spacing using a finger, with a good/well-trained eye? My understanding is you lay it and then shunt the flags into place to achieve balanced joint spacing...??? I’m struggling to explain to the builders we've met why the joint spaces will not be identical throughout, or does that not matter because they will just know how to do it?

3) As I have a rectangular pattern (on paper) shouldn't it be possible to lay as designed? One set of builders said they would mostly stick to the design but might need to change the design where it didn't fit and cut slabs as required.

4) Another problem I had was that I was told in this hot weather (which may now not be a problem!) that each slab would be laid one by one (individually bedded?) and be stuck down with a small spot of something I didn’t catch the name of, but this sounded like spot bedding which I thought was a no-no.

5) The Marshall's website lists "registered installers" who are my next port of call. Is it safe to assume they will be fine with a random pattern? Also that site mentions something about being able to extend the guarantee (of 12 months) if one of them carries out the installation. Does anyone have experience of these particular stones and ever needed to use this guarantee???

Any help, thoughts, or direction to pages on the site that I’ve clearly missed would be much appreciated. Also if there are any recommendations for someone to undertake this work that would be greatly appreciated.

[lutonlagerlout]

garfield

you could do worse than go to

http://www.londonstone.co.uk/

and use the select an installer app half way down the page

problem is anyone good will be busy right now in august

so it would concern me if they are available for immediate start

we have done jobs at a push just north of you in barnet and arkley but couldnt do anything till november

cheers LLL

[London Stone Paving]

Thanks for that recommendation Tony.
Garfield, the installer search on our website will give you the ten contractors most local to you. You can view portfolios of their work and also get links through to their websites and social media. I have personally uploaded all the profiles in the scheme and can say with certainty that they are all vastly experienced in the installation of natural stone

Steve

[Garfield123]

Thanks Steve and LLL for your advice and endorsements of the installers - have had a look at London Stone (nice website) and contacted someone local.
LLL - I'm hoping we'll find someone who can fit us in before November, even if just October before the weather really turns, but if not I'll be in touch!
Best
Garfield

[Garfield123]

Just to clarify item number (4) on my original email: the intention was not to spot bed but to use a small amount of "unibond" on the bottom of each slab to ensure they don't slip around. Can't find anything about unibond on the main site... assume not a big deal???

[lutonlagerlout]

unibond is 1970s technology

we use a bond bridge now where necessary

a slurry of SBR and cement painted onto the whole bottom of each flag to aid adhesion

however this is if they are laying on a dry mix


cheers LLL