Suds quote

[Rich H]

I've just put together my first quote for a SUDS compliant driveway since the new 'legislation' came in. The client is a really nice bloke and I'm already doing the landscaping he wants in the back garden.

I've explained about the implications and risks of compliance/non-compliance (such as I understand them) and told him that I will only build a compliant drive. I've worked out my costs for a 'normal' drive and the additional price for putting in 12no. Wavin Aquacell traffic in membrane in a 4 x 3 array at 700mm depth from the invert to the surface. Wavin technical help did the calculation. The subgrade is excellent; free draining and firm with little or no clay. The water will be collected in a 5m linear drain at the kerb to the pavement.

My normal method of pricing (including a couple of steps and some kerbs, recess tray, etc.) comes out at a little under £5000, roughly £75/m, which has been par for the course recently.

The price for the collection and snazzy soakaway comes out at £1800! The crates are list @ £86/ea but I've got a price from my bm of £40/ea which still seems like a lot for a fancy beer crate. I've then got an additional skip/small grab plus the acco, drain pipes and couplings, geotextile membrane, sharp sand, shingle, etc., plus the labour to dig out, install, back fill and prepare ready for the driveway sub-base.

What do you think?

[lutonlagerlout]

I priced one around xmas rich in tegula , fully compliant and it came to about £8k for 77M
when you add labour and materials that is the price mate, I priced a 40 M job last night with acos and a new soakaway, that came to 3.5k inc VAT
grab is £250 round here now etc etc
soon adds up
LLL

[Dave_L]

Sounds about right to me - drainage works are expensive and are adding sometimes up to 25% on jobs since the legislation came into force.

[Tony McC]

How bloody big is this driveway that it needs a dozen crates? If the fround really is free-draining, you should be able to drain 100m² into 2 or 3 crates at most!

[Rich H]

The buggers told me 12 - roughly one per 5m2. I thought it seemed OTT but woe betide me if I went against manufacturer's recommendations and then it didn't work.

Just looked where I should have done in the first place; gaffers' page.

volume = area x 0.016667
1.08 = 65m2 x 0.016667

Crate volume = 0.2 thus 6 crates will do it.

[meany]

I dont even bother telling customers about the change in legislation.I've quoted jobs to take into account the new regs but never win them.I've seen the jobs when i have passed by and they have been done "illegally"

[Tony McC]

Have you done a permeability test? Even 6 crates sounds excessive for 65m²