Newbie questions - Block paving driveway

[carl310166]

My first post,so bear with me!

I want to get a contractor to block pave an approx 35sq m area for a driveway.

The only person to actually visit me was a TopPave contractor who will send a quote by Weds.

As i am not in a position to get several quotes,as i have rang about 6 people from the Yellow Pages.So i was wondering if your Exell spreadsheet figures were up to date so i can have a rough idea if the price is reasonable when it arrives.(i live in South Wales if that makes any difference)

The only thing that concerned me was,he estimated the job would take 2 weeks,is that about right for the size involved?
That seems a long time,and i would have thought the labour alone would be £££££

I have also contacted my local council about droping the kerb,they say i don't need permission,i just have to write to them for the specification.They don't do it themselves,and they don't have a list of approved contractors.Is this normal?

The quote from the TopPave guy will include approx 6 meters of linear drainage,plus the 2 kerbs lowering,as i am widening an existing crossway.

Thanks in advance for any answers.

[carlbeardsmore]

Two weeks is a long time to lay 35 sqr metres.. I am just a novice, but I could do that on my own in two weeks.

With a good gang, that should take three days max.

[carl310166]

Thanks for the reply.

I just had another contractor up about 1/2 hour ago.he reckons on 2 days to do everything except the kerbs.

Waiting for the quote,but doesn't seem as professional as the TopPave guy.

[Nigel Walker]

38 m2

Depending on the existing surface, the type of blocks used and if there is a need for edging kerbs, manholes and steps, it should take 2 days to complete. At the most 3 days.
The lowering of the kerbs should only take about 1/2 a day

If someone is going to take 2 weeks then they are either not very confident in what they are doing or they are gonna be charging too much

If you are using the standard 200mm by 100mm blocks, the job should cost no more than £2200.00 inc vat for the drive only. This is with the linear drains.

The comment about the permission to lower the kerbs seems odd.
In my part of the country - Cumbria. You have to pay £95.00 just to apply for permission and then you have to use a company on the registered contractors list (this is no guarantee of quality)
For an averge drive opening of 3 No. 150mm by 125mm kerbs and 2 No. Transition Kerbs it costs approx. £600.00

Nigel

[carl310166]

Thanks Nigel.

The TopPave guy told me 2 weeks,perhaps he is a one man band and intends doing it all himself by hand ????

I think when i contact the council for the written specification,i will get them to put their reply abount not needing permission in black and white.