Bedding mix on quotation - Indian sandstone bedding

[mark555]

I have just received a quotation for laying a patio.

I used this site a few months back (very successfully) for my drainage project.

Thus I have read up on the correct methods for laying a patio and understand that Indian Sandstone should be laid onto a wet mortar mix.

The contractor has stated:

To lay a hard core base with sandstone then lay the flags on to a 3:1 sand / cement dry mix.

Is the method that the contractor suggests OK? I intend to stay at the property for many years - so longevity of the job is important to me.

Many thanks Mark

[cookiewales]

3 to 1 mix semi dry is fine wet mix is a no no 6 to 1 would be fine on a good base ask to see pics of preavous works check pointing is done right ask for spec they are going to use :;): :;): :;):

[Bob_A]

Have a read here
http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag3.htm
Go to about 2/3 down the page until you get to slump and it tells you about semi-dry, moist and wet mixes

[mark555]

Thats great thank you.

I wonder if someone could comment on whether the quote seems reasonable and is stating the correct items for a good job:

Approx 85sqm of Indian Sanstone £1700
Approx 80 sqm of Rowlawn £240
1 x 3.2 m diameter Indian Sandstone Circle £400
Approx 6 tonnes of red building sand £210
Approx 5 tonnes of crushed hardcore for flag base £125
Approx 4 tonnes of quality top soil £100
Approx 40bags of 20kg cement £160
Approx 100 Scotch common bricks for circle plinth £40
Approx 300 x block pavers for lawn edge £90
Approx 100 bull nose block pavers for border definition £65
1 x 10 litre mortar plasticiser £10
6 x 15 kg of Geofix silicon jointing compound £150

8 days labour £2200

1 x skip £185

Total: £5650

This is to lay a patio (ground work done) and lawn area with further circle patio.

Many thanks.

[DNgroundworks]

£5650.00 seems cheap to me for a 85sqm patio i usually price around the 100 per metre mark depending on the job.

What do you class as groundwork? excavation and spoil removal?

Also is the building sand for laying on? if so it should be sharp sand

And dont let Them point with geofix - its shite, romex or gtfk is miles better

cookie wales - i use a moist mix never had any problems, why is a dry mix better?

[mark555]

Thanks for your comments - I'll have to check about the red sand.

And now I'm worried about the Geofix too!!!

Yes for ground work I have removed the lawn, old patio and approx 15 tonnes of spoil so that there is a pretty level base ready for the MOT1.

[DNgroundworks]

The other cabin regulars will advise you more on the Geofix but it is widley regarded as crap - even though for some reason in every builders merchants were ive asked for romex, they always say "well no we dont stock it but we have plenty of Geofix" :rock:

Price sounds about right including all the other little bits apart from the paving, maybe a bit cheap but cant say properly without pricing and looking at the job meself.

[msh paving]

Geofix is total rubbish, i first used it 10 years ago for a national slabbing company to point with and we had more come backs and with holding money because the stuff it don't stay put,
Romex or GTFK is the material to use chek on the main website read this bit

MSH

[mark555]

Thanks!!! Sounds like Geofix is crappy - wonder why the contractor is intending to use this??? hmmmmmm!

[msh paving]

Probilly because he's never seen romex or GTFK used ,builder merchants only stock it for the kickback they get for selling the muck MSH

[mark555]

- Thanks to all for the Geofix warning - Thank god for this site!!!!!!

[cookiewales]

£5650.00 seems cheap to me for a 85sqm patio i usually price around the 100 per metre mark depending on the job.

What do you class as groundwork? excavation and spoil removal?

Also is the building sand for laying on? if so it should be sharp sand

And dont let Them point with geofix - its shite, romex or gtfk is miles better

cookie wales - i use a moist mix never had any problems, why is a dry mix better?

semi dry solid bed soaked at end of day lay up to 50 m2 a day when laid with wet mix to much suction to relay if not happy you can walk on semi dry and place foot on when laying big slabs a lot easy on the body on thin slabs will make what we call a groslh cement and water sbr ronofix if pos holds every thing together cheers cookie :;): :;): :;):

[mark555]

Hi - Has any one a good contact for a romex supplier.

This is probably a dumb question but will 15kg of romex cover the same amount as 15kg of geofix?

Thanks All, Mark

[msh paving]

Phone: 07872 824 010 Romex ray the sales rep for uk,tell him you got the number from paving expert MSH

[mark555]

Thanks