The Brew Cabin

Hi

I would appreciate some feedback as to the reasonableness of the prices quoted to me by our builders, for laying our driveway ( about 200sq. metres in total) . I have been quoted the following :-

£16 per square metre to remove and dispose of shingle driveway with hardcore base

£15 per square metre to create new hardcore bed

£3 per square metre for sand blinding

£30 per square metre allowance for laid paviors

As always the builders want a decision ASAP so that they make the necessary arrangements. I wouldn't object but we did ask them for these prices in March!

We like the tumbled set type paviors and I would be grateful if anyone could give me some idea of the relative prices of the following ( I have been told that the Marshall's tegula are expensive?) :-

Marshalls tegula drive setts (pennant grey)

RMC chelsea setts

Bradstone woburn rumbled setts(graphite)

Blockleys van dyck charcoal paviors

Will any of these fade in time?

Thanks for any help

Depends on where you are, but those prices are a bit on the high side, espeically 30 quid to buy and lay standard blocks. The blocks cost no more than a tenner, so that's 20 quid a metre for laying, enough to make me consider coming out of retirement, seeing as I could lay 100m² a day when I was fit!

As I always say, if you take just one price, then you're a fool. You should always get at least 3 prices, as that will give you a much better indication of the "going rate" in your area. Further, if this is a general builder rather than a paving contractor, it's more likely that the price will be too high, as they will not be as aware of the best prices locally, and will probably look to sub-contract the work to a proper paving gang.

Marshalls' Tegula/Drivesett are more expensive than standard blocks, but they should be available for no more than 20 quid per square metre. The Chelsea Setts are similarly priced, as are the Woburn, with the exception of the textured types. All of these are concrete products, and the colour comes from a dye that will fade over time.

Blockleys Van Dyck are a clay paver, more expensive than the tumbled blocks above, but then the colour is fast because it's 100% natural.

Do yourself a favour - get at least two more quotes, preferably from pving specialists. It will allow you to compare prices, and it will also give you the insight of two other paviors.