Hello - I am currently looking to have my double driveway dug out and resurfaced with pattern imprinted concrete. I've had one quote from a local contractor 'Master Print' in Sheffield who's done about 9 driveways on my father in laws road, he's quoting £55 per square metre but didn't really endear himself to me, bit off hand and grumpy but done loads of work in Sheffield. But No official guarentee just his good name apparently. He didn't really explain what he was going to do, just mentioned digging out and putting down some crush and 4" of concrete.
I fully appreciate that the quality of drive is wholey dependant on the quality of contractor but I'm having real trouble finding other local PIC contractors in the Sheffield area.
I'm happy to use the above bloke even if he is grumpy, maybe he's got such a good product that he doesn't really need to sell it too hard and I'm happy with this approach but it all seemed a bit rushed and not very detailed.
I wanted at least 1 other quote to compare. So my questions are -
Does anyone know of reputable PIC contractors in the Sheffield area
And has anyone any experience good or bad of 'Master Print' in Sheffield.
Help with pic contractors
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lutonlagerlout
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Tony McC
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blandie
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Thanks for the input on this.
The guy has been round this morning and much friendlier but not like a salesman friendly if you see what I mean. He turned up in a black cab with master print plastered all over it this time. Didn't quite know what to make of that.
He's been through what they would do on the job and can't book me in until end of May which if true tells me he's in demand. The company has been at this game for over 10 years and he's given me several addresses in my area where he has done work so I'll pop off and have a look at them.
He tells me they lay the concrete 100mm thick which is pretty much 4", they will also put in at least 1 expansion joint, says they dig out on day 1, lay concrete on day 2, jet wash, silicon and something else that I didn't catch on day 3 and they don't come back to finally seal it for 10 days so I can't park on it for this time, all this sounded sensible.
They also come back and reseal every 2 to 3 years and only charge for materials.
So I've booked him in to do the work, he took a £200 deposit off me, not sure if this is normal but seemed acceptable if he is so busy to be honest.
I guess I'll drop an update here at end of May to share my experience, I'm all for giving good contractors good feedback if it helps others.
The guy has been round this morning and much friendlier but not like a salesman friendly if you see what I mean. He turned up in a black cab with master print plastered all over it this time. Didn't quite know what to make of that.
He's been through what they would do on the job and can't book me in until end of May which if true tells me he's in demand. The company has been at this game for over 10 years and he's given me several addresses in my area where he has done work so I'll pop off and have a look at them.
He tells me they lay the concrete 100mm thick which is pretty much 4", they will also put in at least 1 expansion joint, says they dig out on day 1, lay concrete on day 2, jet wash, silicon and something else that I didn't catch on day 3 and they don't come back to finally seal it for 10 days so I can't park on it for this time, all this sounded sensible.
They also come back and reseal every 2 to 3 years and only charge for materials.
So I've booked him in to do the work, he took a £200 deposit off me, not sure if this is normal but seemed acceptable if he is so busy to be honest.
I guess I'll drop an update here at end of May to share my experience, I'm all for giving good contractors good feedback if it helps others.
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Ted
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It sounds like he knows what he is doing.
It is fairly standard in the PIC field to ask for 10% upfront as a booking fee, so £200 seems reasonable.
The concrete should be 4" thick - this is the recommended thickness for a residential drive. You could work out how much concrete you need and say you want to see the ticket from the ready-mix truck - then you should know if he has bought enough to lay a 4" slab. You can also perform this check on the hardcore. Ask the driver when the grab lorry comes how many tonnes he is unloading. Or watch how much he unloads off his truck if he fetches the hardcore himself. Many contractors skimp on the hardcore as it is unseen but the hardcore should be 4" thick too and well compacted.
I can't comment on the expansion joint as I don't know the size nor shape of your drive but the fact that he is putting a joint in sounds good.
Phone Creative Impressions www.creative-impressions.com or PICS www.picsuk.com and ask if they have any info on PIC. Then you can read up on the process and check that it is done properly.
It is fairly standard in the PIC field to ask for 10% upfront as a booking fee, so £200 seems reasonable.
The concrete should be 4" thick - this is the recommended thickness for a residential drive. You could work out how much concrete you need and say you want to see the ticket from the ready-mix truck - then you should know if he has bought enough to lay a 4" slab. You can also perform this check on the hardcore. Ask the driver when the grab lorry comes how many tonnes he is unloading. Or watch how much he unloads off his truck if he fetches the hardcore himself. Many contractors skimp on the hardcore as it is unseen but the hardcore should be 4" thick too and well compacted.
I can't comment on the expansion joint as I don't know the size nor shape of your drive but the fact that he is putting a joint in sounds good.
Phone Creative Impressions www.creative-impressions.com or PICS www.picsuk.com and ask if they have any info on PIC. Then you can read up on the process and check that it is done properly.
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dandjl
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Ted
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http://www.plhimpressions.co.uk/imprint ... ation.html
I spoke with this guy the other day and he sounded OK....
He is ACI-qualified (American Concrete Institute)... few PIC contractors in the UK have any qualifications at all so, given his background (ACI is a good sign IMHO), he should be capable...
I spoke with this guy the other day and he sounded OK....
He is ACI-qualified (American Concrete Institute)... few PIC contractors in the UK have any qualifications at all so, given his background (ACI is a good sign IMHO), he should be capable...