108g diy-able for a novice?! - Feasiblility question.

NutterKam · Post: # 64483Post **NutterKam** Mon Jun 06, 2011 5:51 pm

Am I just being very optimistic or a completely unrealistic nutcase?!

I've got 108mÂ² on my front drive and I just can't quite justify the outlay to get it redone (properly), especially being currently unemployed! I am a DIY nut and my work standards are high (haha - even if do say so myself!) so I'll generally give anything a go.

I reckon the biggest obstacle for me is the groundworks - digging up the old crazy muck and putting down a new sub base. The digging up will be the biggest pain as I believe part of the drive uses the old concrete as base. I'd need a heavy duty breaker and a lot of skips! Ground is heavily clay as well so that'll be fun - not!

Anyone done DIY on such an area and, if so, any advice? Appreciate it.

Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:21 pm

get a groundworker to prep it for you, dig off, stone up, etc get a price for what you want doing. save you in the long run

NutterKam · Post: # 64485Post **NutterKam** Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:30 pm

Yeah, I just crunched some numbers - gonna cost me a grand just in skips alone!!

Mikey_C · Post: # 64500Post **Mikey_C** Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:31 pm

i am diyer who did 100sq/m and overall I don't regret doing it myself, although there were times that it was """VERY""" tough. where I live grab trucks are cheaper than skips but take a "much" larger qty. don't rent a digger, a pro driver and machine is almost as cheap and will get alot more done, as your time is "free" consider getting a digger/driver in to dig out/turn over the drive, once loose sort the concrete from the soil rent a crusher to crush the concrete if there is enough to make it worthwhile. also consider buying a breaker if you breaking out the concrete over several days buy a breaker rather than hire, I brought a 1700W electric one (similar titan one available from screwfix for Â£150) it can break through a 8-10" slab and paid for itself by the third hire

NutterKam · Post: # 64520Post **NutterKam** Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:38 pm

Thanks for the top tips. Like you, I also tend to buy tools where affordable - so good to know that an electric job will get through that much concrete. The digger and driver wasn't something I had considered so will look into that and crunch the numbers again. I don't have enough concrete to warrant a crusher. Did you go for 150mm or more sub base? Crikey, I remember helping my Dad do a drive when I was a kid and materials were peanuts then! Sub base material alone now for this drive is over 700 quid! I'll also get a quote or two for groundworks guys to do the heavy digging and clearing - it might end up more cost effective.

local patios and driveway · Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:52 pm

where are you based we do machine and driver hire, also get great rates on aggregates and grabs which me make zero profit on. in two days with the right machine it could be out and stoned

NutterKam · Post: # 64522Post **NutterKam** Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:53 pm

local patios and driveways wrote:where are you based we do machine and driver hire, also get great rates on aggregates and grabs which me make zero profit on. in two days with the right machine it could be out and stoned

I'm in NW London. I see you're nr Gatwick - bit of a schlep unfortunately!

NutterKam · Post: # 65176Post **NutterKam** Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:14 pm

FYI I opted not to do it myself in the end and a good decision too! The contractor's digger made mincemeat out of the old paving and base in a couple of hours or less! Then they hit a patch of oldskool concrete that took a looooooooong time to jackhammer through. Then there was a looooong wait for grabber man to show up!