Guide on laying rates - Paving & paviors job

[Rick]

I have a reasonable sized job, consisting of clay paviors on a gradual sloping drive. 170 sq m
One side edged with 140 combi kerbs.

In addition there is 140 sq m of Indian sandstone paving for a patio, and paths to side of the house. (paths edged with paviors out of the total 170 sq m count)
Paving to be on full bed, and pointed with Geofix.

All rough levelling has been done, vibrated in 150mm base, for paths & patio ... and drive.

Drive will need some grading correctly to complete pre-work.

My question is what should I expect in terms of rates to get this job done ...
Those quoting have seen the job and understand that they will supply all labour, tools & plant, I will supply all materials.
I have had quotes come in (labour only) ranging from £3,500 to £9,800
Which spans £11 to £32 per sq m

[James.Q]

Hi there Rick,
from reading your post I'd say around £20 per metre's fair for good quality work.
Please read through previous posts on Geofix cause it's not recommended by many,
Especially not me!
Hope this helps.
Shame you're not nearer or I'd do it for you... though if you've got a caravan to put me up in...?!
James :p

[Tony McC]

Clays are much harder to lay well than concrete blocks, so they should pay more.

GeoFix - avoid like the plague. It will give you nowt but trouble.

[Pablo]

Geofix ! I'd rather stick a fork in my eye than use that again. Your quotes are so far to the opposite ends of the scale are you sure that the contractors understood exactly what you were after. £11 a metre is the very lower end of a lay only price without any base prep at all. The higher price is the upper end of a base prep and lay inc waste disposal /plant hire etc. Flags and paviors tend to have a fairly similar lay price as long as there is no difficuties with levels cuts etc.

[James.Q]

so about 20 is correct? :p

[lutonlagerlout]

ye about £20 a metre and £ 5 a lineal metre for cutting flags (wear and tear on diamond blades ,cutter,PPE,petrol etc)
LLL

[Rich H]

Clays - cuts - edges - paths. £20 seems cheap to me TBH. Depends where it is I suppose but nearer £25 for me...

[Rick]

Hi there Rick,
from reading your post I'd say around £20 per metre's fair for good quality work.
Please read through previous posts on Geofix cause it's not recommended by many,
Especially not me!
Hope this helps.
Shame you're not nearer or I'd do it for you... though if you've got a caravan to put me up in...?!
James :p

OK .. guys certainly all knew what they were quoting for - I walked site and issued them with full plan, specs, meterage etc.

I am interested in your quote on Geofix .... I have never used this, all of thos who quoted recommended using it as it would avoid any cement staining on teh sandstone.

What is wrong with it, why should I avoid it ?

If you don't advise Geofix .. what do you suggest surely not plain old sand & cement ?

The Sandstone will be laid on full bed - not 5 spot method, I understood from these guys that if you point with simple semi-dry mortar, there is risk of staining - especially if it should rain overnight before it has set.

Welcome any comments.

(I'll also ask specific Q in paving section)

[Rich H]

I do about 15 or so Indian Sandstone patios a year, all with building sand and cement mortar mixed 4 to 1 with a little water added in the summer. It won't stain while you're doing it. If you think it might rain then cover it. No big deal.

The only risk with striking it in semi-dry is that the water leaches out of the mix before the cement has cured. Sandstone in particular sucks the water up. In the warmer months it needs to be systematically sprayed with a mist as you go along to prevent this.

If you point as you lay this won't be a problem anyway. I don't, but a lot of fellas here do.

[lutonlagerlout]

Clays - cuts - edges - paths. £20 seems cheap to me TBH. Depends where it is I suppose but nearer £25 for me...

we are talking £ 20 with subbase already installed rich
even if you do 15 m per day thats still £300 for you and your labourer
and i would hope to do a bit more than that on paving alone,mebbe 20- 25 m a day,depending on many variables
LLL :;):

[Rich H]

Hmmm. You need time for unloading and setting out, checking levels, drainage, etc. The square area isn't the problem. It's the edges, cuts, etc. that would give me pause. Surely in 300 sq.m there's a challenge or two to overcome? Not often you have two nice squares with perfect fall, eh?! Then there's the word 'path' which can be a challenge. Drain covers?, interfaces? etc etc etc. Then at the end there's all that pointing to do. A couple of days on your knees striking in!

But normally normally I concede I allow 20sq.m for me and a labourer per day just laying.