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Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 9:13 pm
by specialbranch
Where abouts are you, 6to12k for a 60m2 drive sounds a bit steep to me? What about new cut stone setts, there are some on the marshalls ebay factory shop, sawn and calibrated so easy to lay. Would be easier and cheaper to lay than crazy paving and would look 10 times better
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marshal....0b27c70
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 12:37 am
by Zaffy
Specialbranch, FYI:
Buckinghamshire area.
Total site: 80 sq.m.
Remove hedge, soil and old concrete. Fill with regulation sub-base. Top with base, and apply even the cheapest surface, I have received quotes from small companies of no less than 6k.
A large, well-known company were prepared to do me a special offer of 12k, including concrete pavers.
A family run company quoted, over the phone, £12k for covering enitre area in granite. I didn't mention the hedge.
PS: Marshalls prices look good. Not done ebay, I need to learn how to bid.
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 3:45 pm
by Trevski
This is not a drive or crazy slate, but this was my 85m2 slate paving project.
I'm trying to show that a complete novice, who has done their research through this site is more than capable of laying slate paving to an acceptable level. Sure I made a couple of errors but on the whole a good job.
There are comments on the thread ref my mistakes but have a look and see if helps.
http://ext.pavingexpert.com/cgi-bin....trevski
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 5:34 pm
by London Stone Paving
Tob job Trev, slate looks great. How long did it take to get all that done?
I dont think anyone is trying to say that Zaffy is not capable of doing the job, or trying to discourage him from doing the job. We are just making him aware of the pitfalls of a very technically demanding installation.
from reading your post I get the impression that your project was as much a labour of love as anything else. I get the impression that Zaffy is really looking to save a few quid and in these situations it is very easy for the opposite to happen and things to cost a lot more money than expected
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 7:35 pm
by cookiewales
London Stone Paving wrote:Tob job Trev, slate looks great. How long did it take to get all that done?
I dont think anyone is trying to say that Zaffy is not capable of doing the job, or trying to discourage him from doing the job. We are just making him aware of the pitfalls of a very technically demanding installation.
from reading your post I get the impression that your project was as much a labour of love as anything else. I get the impression that Zaffy is really looking to save a few quid and in these situations it is very easy for the opposite to happen and things to cost a lot more money than expected
well said 
london
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 8:18 pm
by Trevski
Very valid points from both of you, really all I was trying to do was show what can be acheived from an amateur perspective.
I drew inspiration from other peoples projects before I decided to give it a go for myself and pictures really do help in that regard.
Was hoping my project might have helped on the confidence front rather than the desired finish.
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 8:22 pm
by Zaffy
Trevski, inspirational.
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 9:47 pm
by London Stone Paving
Completely take my hat off you for that job Trev. A pro would be proud of that patio and I know a lot of builders and scapers who could not lay as well as you have done.
No offence meant to Zaffy for my comments about saving a few quid. I just got the impression that your main motivation was getting the job done as cheaply as possibble and believe me that can be a dangerous thing
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 11:37 pm
by Trevski
@ London Stone, from memory the total job took us about 6 weeks which was a combination of 2 weeks hols, some weekends and a couple of hours during evenings.
The first couple of weeks was slower as we were setting out, putting the type 1 down and getting used to the techniques of working to string lines and getting the mix right, SBR slurry to the underside of each slab was a bit of a pain.
I think the labour of love started wearing thin about halfway through as we seemed to putting stone down but didn't feel like we were making progress. Once we got towards the end the enthusiasm returned. To be fair, we were probably being a bit pedandic laying each slab but felt that this would pay off with the final finish.
The real joy came after sweeping the mortar in and then using the space a couple of days later, in fact we were having a BBQ this evening and talking about how all the graft was worth it.
I will repeat what I said on my original post, the professionals who give their time and expertise on this site to answer the most basic questions from the likes of amateurs like me really allows us to gain the confidence and belief to try something of this magnitude. Whilst it was not cheap, I knew I was buying the right materials first time and had the correct method to do the job without any regrets.
Every single one of you deserves a pat on the back (I'm too tight to buy you all a pint as I'm a well bred Northerner :laugh: )
So Zaffy, I wish the best of British on your project and the lads on here will see you right if you need help before or during.