Block paving in leeds?

[Frank4]

Hi,

I'm really struggling to find a company I trust in/around Leeds to do my driveway (approx 70 sqm).

The online review sites seem way too easy to fake and some details of certain companies just don't add up.

I had a guy out to quote and I'm guessing he used to be a car salesman! That quote was £6,900 and to me, that just seems an insane price for this part of the country? The blocks were just standard, nothing fancy.

So yeah... any advice would be much appreciated. I'm borderline just giving up on getting it done, the uncertainty around company is so strong.

Thanks
Fred

[Tony McC]

6.9k for 70m² incl VAT - it's not that far out!

The -going rate', incl. VAT, anywhere along the M62 corridor is around 85-95 quid/m², and then you have to allow for drainage, kerbs, access issues, etc.

The only way to be sure of getting a fair price and a good contractor is to follow the advice given on this page.

[Frank4]

Thanks for the reply.

If that is a normal price, then I am truly amazed and need to reconsider my profession

Must be clearing 2k profit for this weeks work, even paying 3 people to help.

[lutonlagerlout]

highly unlikely Frank
surprising amount of overheads running a small business
£100 a metre all in for a professional job is where its at
if you go cheap
Cavaet emptor!
cheers LLL

[Tony McC]

Believe me: even at the 100 quid/m² LLL mentions for "darn sarff", these contractors are not making 2k per week profit. They'll make a reasonable wage for themselves (which actually works out to be not very much when you calculate how many hours they put in), pay their staff, fuel the vehicles, keep the kit maintained, buy the materials, pay the taxman, and have a few per cent, hopefully, to tuck away for the rainy days of winter.

If you want to get rich, then becoming a paving contractor is very definitely not the easiest option.

[Frank4]

Thanks for the replies.

I've just been completely confused after receiving a 3rd quote.

First two were £6,900 and £6,200.

The third company have been around over 10 years, not many reviews but seem to have a good reputation. Based in a nice area, the guy seemed not as professional. But I think that's because he is down to earth and been doing this sort of thing all his life. No sales pitch at all.

He has said £3,500 and this is for Premia 60 blocks.

Erm.... what?

[lutonlagerlout]

£50 a metre ! even the pikeys charge more than that down here
cavaet emptor
LLL

[mickg]

Fred .... how many times have you gone into Tesco or ASDA and asked how much profit they are making on your weekly shop yet you are saying a driveway contractor charging £6,900 is making too much money ....

have a go yourself and see how easy it is... when its raining we don't earn any money.... same with snow and other adverse weather conditions .... being let down with deliveries, skip or grab wagon doesn't turn up on time meaning we are stood waiting ... the list goes on and on

and the most important thing to consider is this ....



we have given advise on this forum lots of times to people who have made the mistake of getting the work done by choosing the cheapest contractor ........ cheap and quality don't belong in the same sentence

[lemoncurd1702]

Out of interest Frank, how much do you think a self employed paving contractor should earn.

[lemoncurd1702]

Fred .... how many times have you gone into Tesco or ASDA and asked how much profit they are making on your weekly shop yet you are saying a driveway contractor charging £6,900 is making too much money ....

have a go yourself and see how easy it is... when its raining we don't earn any money.... same with snow and other adverse weather conditions .... being let down with deliveries, skip or grab wagon doesn't turn up on time meaning we are stood waiting ... the list goes on and on

and the most important thing to consider is this ....



we have given advise on this forum lots of times to people who have made the mistake of getting the work done by choosing the cheapest contractor ........ cheap and quality don't belong in the same sentence

You forgot to also mention we don't get holiday pay either.

[seanandruby]

...The bitterness of a poor job is long remembered long after the sweetness of a cheap one is gone :;):

[jwill]

As always eye is in detail. What's the spec? Is the cheap bloke utilising existing sub base?

[Frank4]

Thanks again for all the replies.

I'm expecting a quote through the post, which apparently gives more details. I will see what it says about the base and let you all know.

He said all of the existing drive and whats underneath it will come up. When I asked about additional charges if it turns out its concrete underneath, he said no, its a fixed price and "you win some, you lose some". As in, some are a total pain, others easy and things balance out. Which is a fair enough attitude I guess.

[lutonlagerlout]

cannot for the life of me work out how he can make this pay?
good luck to him
LLL

[Tony McC]

Did this written quote ever appear?