Type 1 mot - Re-using

[Daren]

Can someone confirm please if when lifting an old driveway to discover a very decent base of type 1 underneath is re-usable and can generally be topped up with a little more type 1. Thanks

[Carberry]

I would check how the old driveway looked (if it had sunk anywhere then there is a possibility that the sub base was no good) and I would dig a few test holes to make sure it had the correct depth everywhere before reusing.

[Tony McC]

Generally, as long as it's sound, not sunk, not overly contaminated with crap, and at a suitable level, then go for it!

[Nigel Walker]

Its a great perk of the job when you are excavating and find that there is a good quality, good depth of sub base under the drive.
When we price we always include for digging down to minimum 250mm and then minimum 160mm of type 1.

So finding a good sub base already there means less spoil away and less stone in. This equals very happy contractor
I always dig down and check the depth and quality. If sub base is only75-100mm thick, we scrape off, store to one side, excavate and then in-fill with the reclaimed sub base

Occasionaly, you get the client asking for some money knocked off because we haven't dug out as much as the quote said. My reply is - would you be willing to pay more if I had to dig deeper, have more waste and in-fill with more sub base. Their answer is always NO.
Its swings and roundabouts. Some jobs cost you a little more when you have to dig out an extra 20 ton of waste and in-fill with an extra 20 ton of type 1 and some jobs you make a bit more money on when you find a good base.

I know which one I prefer

[dig dug dan]

ccasionaly, you get the client asking for some money knocked off because we haven't dug out as much as the quote said. My reply is - would you be willing to pay more if I had to dig deeper, have more waste and in-fill with more sub base. Their answer is always NO.
Its swings and roundabouts. Some jobs cost you a little more when you have to dig out an extra 20 ton of waste and in-fill with an extra 20 ton of type 1 and some jobs you make a bit more money on when you find a good base.

I know which one I prefer

had the same thing when i only need two grab loads out instead of four, and the customer expected a £500 rebate.
I have stopped itemising things now as i have even had someone count the number of gravel boards i used on a fence and knocked one off the bill as it was one less than quoted

[Dave_L]

Indeed, be wary how much you detail on your quotations.........you can end up stitching yourself up unwittingly.

[Daren]

Yeah I very rarely itemise anything, ended up the hardcore wasnt nearly deep enough and was slightly contaminated so ended up replacing the lot. Was just curious as we have always jist took it out but sometimes its absolutely fine. Cheers

[msh paving]

Unless they supply a detailed spec.I put very little spec on apart from liner m for fences or pipe lines m2 for patio driveway, that way they have little to ask for rebate, MSH

[sy76uk]

I can't see the point in slinging a load of MOT just to have to buy a load of MOT but if I do find a good sub base I knock some off the bill.

[Tony McC]

Occasionaly, you get the client asking for some money knocked off because we haven't dug out as much as the quote said

My response to this was usually that, while I could credit them for the reduced excavation and sub-base supply, but then I'd have to increase the rate per cubic metre or tonne because I was dealing with much smaller quantities and couldn't achieve the same keen prices due to economies of scale.

If we could avoid any sub-base work whatsoever, so not even any regulating, I would credit them a small amount, never, IIRC, more than 50%, but if I had to get involved in re-profiling, regulating or replacing sections where drainage had been installed, then that would be charged as an EO