How to do half a job well - Preparation

[raymond]

I have a nine metre by one metre "path" of very rough and uneven fibre reinforced C40 concrete varying in thickness form 100 to 300mm. This was pumped onto a very uneven clay surface. This goes across the front garden from the road to the house.

At the back of the property there is a four metre by three metre are of thin broken screed which steps down (200mm step) to a very (300mm variation) uneven four metre by five metre crazy paving area which was laid directly onto the clay.

I am selling up and cannot leave the place in this state, as I believe it will put people off. At the same time whatever I do, people will want something different. It occurred to me to prepare a base so that the new owners could then slab, block or deck it to their choice.

I wondered if I could break up the existing path and crazy paving and have it crushed on site to use as a base or should I just get it carted away and use type 1 or type 2. Then I could set up some timber shuttering for the footpath and two levels of terrace out the back and pack these with a Whacker. Would such a surface be clean (not walking dirt into the house) and weather resistant for a year or so? If the newcomers don't like the layout they can easily dig it out or they could finish it off as is.

Would I be able to remove the shuttering afterwards or would it have to remain in situ? How about using pumped foamed concrete (I have used a Pumi pump truck several times), as carting and Whacking of aggregate would not be required, just tampering and the shuttering could come off.

Finding people or a contractor to take on such a messy job and do it well is proving problematical.

I would be interested to know of any thoughts you may have.

[Ted]

I would leave it as it is but have a tidy up as best you can or put down a new path, patio etc. Don't do it half heartedly. Few buyers will appreciate the groundworks you are considering, but many would appreciate a nice new patio, path etc. You could redo it fairly cheaply if you really wanted; ie, stepping stones instead of path, gravel etc

[Suggers]

Very much with Ted on this - your groundwork prep will always look an unfinished job - much better to have a good clean-up, with everything neat & tidy. The old big planters with lots of colour trick, can work wonders!!

[lutonlagerlout]

yes i agree with the lads ,chances are people will change stuff when they move in anyway.as long as it functions best left alone as you could easy spend 3 -4 k and the new owners might rip it out
cheers LLL