Laying my first patio

[newbie2]

I'm going to lay a patio of around 42 Sq metres the garden at present is hard soil the garden is about 60 years old. it is grassed and weedy. I have looked around your site and have seen mentions of ants and weeds growing though in later life. is there a best way to fit slabs in the area so that dose not happen? do you recommend something else is not slabs ? and lastly apart from Spotting is there other things not to do.

I would greatly appreciate any and all replys

thanks for the help

Mike

[newbie2]

I just got this quote from a landscaper in My local area. Not interesting in the price it about the work he intends to do, is the dugging down and sub base really needed for a family patio

To remove all grass, plants, weeds, and earth down to a minim of 8 inches.
To cover area with plantex. This prevents all weeds etc coming up thorough the earth.
To then cover the whole in bricks and blinding sand.
To supply and lay a mix of sharp sand and soft sand
To lay clients own materials.
To point all stone work.

[lutonlagerlout]

is the dugging down and sub base really needed for a family patio

YES if you want it to last
cheers tony

[lutonlagerlout]

and really rather than bricks, he would be better off using type 1 MOT stone
its much better material for a sub base,but if you have spare bricks they are better than nothing at all
regards tony

[newbie2]

Thanks for that info. I see you have a web ring set up but i can't see any contractors advertising on the web site at all do you recommend any in the southeast london \ Kent area of the world