Quotation advice

[JS2005]

My existing sloping curved drive needs to be replaced. It is currently built using flags and concrete.

I have had two quotations so far, for drivesett 50, stone effect retaining walling, a small patio and two sets of steps. Sloping land next to the drive will need to be removed as the drive way needs to be widened. At least 1 car will use the driveway frequently. 5 skips are estimated for the excavation etc..

I live in yorkshire and expected it to cost 12000 inc before I got any quotes. Area is approximately 75m2

First quote:

Company advertised, salesman came out and measured with wheel and provided brief sketch/quote. Have seen existing work and it looks very average. 5 days work estimated. No mention of the walling/steps on the quote. 5500 inc.

Second quote:

Company works from reputation and told me up front it would not be cheap. They provided some good suggestions about the drive design and I have seen and spoken with previous customers who were happy. They also said they will excavate 300mm depth. 2 weeks estimated. 14000 inc.

The second quote is obviously a lot more than the first, but I think I am a good judge of character and got a better feeling about the second quote.
I also have a third quote which I am awaiting from another 'reputation only' person.

Quality to me is most important, I would rather pay more to have a good job done. Although I am also fully aware that cost does not always equal quality.

I would like anyones opinion on those quotes based on what I have said.

Also, it might sound like a stupid question, but is drivesett 50 strong enough to take cars for long periods, or should I have been looking at 60? I was under the impression that it is the underlying base which is the important factor.

Thanks.

[Paverman Dan]

This thread should put you on the right track:

http://ext.pavingexpert.com/cgi-bin....;t=2169

[lee]

Our charges

a straight forward average block drive we would charge in the region of £70.per square meter dependant on the type of blocks used..


So not including the steps/ stepped area but to carry out a block drive including removal of base and construct to completion we would be considering £5250.00

so for The rest of the developememt this would leave me around 5k to complete the rest of the developement..

add in contingency of 1k so we would be looking at an overall figure of approx £11,500.00

Was it clear to the salesman in your first quote that he was doing the whole area or just the driveway?

as it seems a slightly cheap quote for just a drive but..if it was to include the walling and the other works, I can see trouble ahead.

The Other quote is a more reasonable quote to me...
However For that price I would seriously be happy to come and quote also for your works!

We are in Bath!

have a look through

[JS2005]

Thanks for the replies.

I got the third quote which was just under 14k. This person also impressed me, and basically this confirmed that the first one was a waste of time. Incidentally, the first discussed the same works as the rest. Although when you get a quote which basically says 'build drive' you have to be worried I guess!

I decided upon the second quote in the end, even though the third also sounded good. It came down to gut instinct in the end and I'll post here when the job is done to see if my money was well spent!