Advice of laying patio

[novice120470]

Hi folks, hope you can help a complete novice ( you probably think complete idiot!!)

I am having a patio built by a builder who claims that the slabs that he layed for me do not require any mortar or cement between them. The builder has layed the slabs just but butting them together. I am a complete novice to this and I have always thought that when laying any paving slab, you need cement or mortar between them. Trouble is, he has already started laying the slabs!!! Please advise ASAP. Many thanks for your help

[bobhughes]

Depends what it looks like - what sort of flags are they?

You are paying so you decide.

You can always use Romex after if you decide you want to grout it.

[lutonlagerlout]

TBH whenever i see slabs butted with no pointing the tune of raw hise comes into my brain,he ius butting them because either he hasn't priced for pointing (unusual) or he has but he cannot be arsed to do it (likely) i am sure the gang will agree with me that slabs/flags look 10 times better pointed
i bet he is laying them on sand as well???? just a gut feeling
cheers LLL tony

[dig dug dan]

Have to disagree there. Marshalls saxons for example look marvellous but jointed.
Slabs with a true sqaure edge are designed for this purpose.
Look at the council flags on the pavements. They are butt jointed.
Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't.
Be interested to know what slab your builder is laying.

[lutonlagerlout]

you are totally correct dan ,those saxons doe look nice with block paviors round them and butted,but from the OPs concern i bet this isnt the case
LLL