Pattern imprinted concrete

[elcid123]

Hello everyone, Until yesterday when I was searching the Internet for a solution for a new drive way i had not heard of pattern imprinted concrete! I was thinking of block paving or brick paving but I noticed that some drives had moss and algae, weeds and were discoloured through the weather and then I found this website for a company called Traditional paving www.traditionalpaving.co.uk
I know nothing about this method which claims to be superior to other methods of tarmac, block paving, gravel etc due to its superior resilience to weather? A man from the company called today and quoted me at first nearly £7000 then when he could see I was thinking this was too expensive dropped the prise to £6050.
My drive is approximately 70 feet long and 8 feet wide
What I need is people's opion about this method? Do the think it is expensive or as good as this company claims it to be?

[Suggers]

Hey El Cid - great name - do go have a look at main site - it's all there - PIC, what it is? - pros & cons - blocks? - pros & cons etc... flexible or rigid approach?
Never an easy answer to any question...
All the best - suggers.
ps - come in Ted.

[lutonlagerlout]

ask to look at some of his recent work,if he cannot show you any where you can speak to the customers as well ,then steer clear
PIC if done correctly is great,but is nigh on impossible to rectify if it goes wrong
cheers LLL

[elcid123]

Thanks everyone for your feedback it has been of tremendous help to me. I will now begin to ask this company questions.
I chose my nickname from the film featuring Charlton Heston but I don't look like him, wish I did.

[lutonlagerlout]

trivia: did you know in greece they call him charlton easton because "heston" means something rude?
lol
LLL

[elcid123]

hello ganger, No i didnt know that perhaps that's why I chose the name, Anyway, what I forgot to say was the sales manager from this company contacted me today and said the sales man had been rebuked for trying hard sales practice and said from now I will be dealing directly with the company and he reduced the price to £5.500 from £6050! another strange thing is that the other company right at the top of the links page " Bomanite" that I contacted yesterday for a visit and quote telephoned this company Traditional paving and told them that I'd contacted them?!! It seems to me that they are the same company or have links with one another! You don't have two separate companies contacting one another over a sale, do you? Well, after I posted earlier tonight I sent Traditional paving a email with a link pointing to the section on this website dealing with everything PIC, and told the sales manager to read it and what I had been advised to do.
He also said to me that if they did the drive for me it would be a "showcase for them" as they have not done any residential properties in my town or area.
I will get back to him tomorrow and ask him further questions and where is the nearest residential properties for me to go and have a look at.
I will keep you posted.

THE CID

[Dave_L]

Buyer beware!

[lutonlagerlout]

cavaet emptor!
sounds like he is trying to outdo his own hard sell
i bet next time he comes round his boss will ring him and if you sign there and then you will get an even better deal
i hate salesmen sorry
regards LLL

[bobbi o]

the whole PIC scene has been ruined by unscrupulous cowboys,who's only aim in business and probably in life, is to rip off any punters who are unfortunate enough to cross their path. they are the lowest of the low and its unfortunate and tarnishes the reputation of those who otherwise take pride and wish to make a living in this type of business.

[elcid123]

Yes, caveat emptor, My advice to anyone even thinking of dealing with these two companies is don't touch them with a barge pole and just to remind people who they are: Traditional paving Ltd and Bomanite Ltd. The boss from Bomanite rang me yesterday and said no one had contacted traditional paving??? Well someone obviously had, then he went on to say they are much better than the other firm, they are the sole agents for Bomanite in the UK! they are better than any one in the business but they are more expensive? and a whole lot more diatribe.
These two companies know one another very well and both use hard sell tactics.
Today I have been speaking to friends who live in Warrington 8 miles away from me and they know a firm based there that has done jobs in the area one for friends of there's and there friends are completely satisfied with the work done.
The other people they spoke to are happy with the work done by this local firm as well. The jobs done are recent and as long ago as 15 years.
My friends are of course thinking of pic like me, so I will get the name of the firm and contact them to arrange a visit and give me a quote.
When I have done this, and should I then decide to proceed with them I will post back giving the name of the firm and what should be the completion of a professional pic job.

[Ted]

Bomanite is an OK firm. They make and distribute materials needed for PIC. I assume that Traditional Paving buy their materials from Bonamite and get some leads from them. I doubt Bonamite actually imprint concrete but will provide technical assitance.

The main problem with PIC is that it is a trade and a trade normally takes at least three years to master. But PIC supply firms offer one day certification days/start a new business today programmes and you end up with a load of idiots trying to install a driveway and not knowing what they are doing. That is why you need to know who is doing the imprinting and have checked out their portfolio.

[elcid123]

Hello Ted, Perhaps Ive been a bit hasty condemning Bomanite Ltd after all Ive only spoken to them over the phone. But I don't like companies claiming to be better than all other companies, and if you look on http://www.bomanite.com/international/index.cfm the only company listed for the UK is: IMPRINTED CONCRETE SYSTEMS
Regional Management Office and Regional Manufacturing Facility

Unit 4 Kirkham Trading Park
Freckleton Road
Kirkham
Preston
PR4 3RB
England
TEL: 01772 681505
FAX: 01772 682272
Email: sales-ics@btconnect.com

[Suggers]

In the end, you can't beat recommendations - especially from 15 yrs ago - this applys to all of us - doesn't matter what your speciality is - pretty sure that all the BC boys care about every job they do - the rest are called Romanosfsky, or some pathetic coward name like that -
Later.......(still seething...)

[Suggers]

Sorry El Cid - have you checked out that w****rs post?

[elcid123]

Sorry El Cid - have you checked out that w****rs post?

Youve lost me here? I don't know or where to find w****rs post.