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Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:02 pm
by cucci1968
hi tony and all, i am looking for reasonably priced cobbled affect block paving. have you or anybody heard of brett alpha 50 block paving? these are tumbled block paving ,cobbled effect ,being sold at 12 per m2, on ebay by a company called builders merchants. this seems quite cheap. i was hopeing someone would give me a bit of advice as i am attempting to lay 80m2 of block paving my self, and i dont want to get ripped off. by the way , this is one of the best websites i have come across, absolutely brilliant.thanx, regards tony.
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 8:53 am
by Tony McC
Don't buy paving through Ebay - it's nearly always seconds or leftovers or dodgy in some way. You can get Brett Alpha for less than 12 quid via genuine builder's merchant but try an independent rather than one of the big nationals.
There's kilometres of laying advice on the main website. I'm not going to repeat it all here - look in the block paving section.
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:38 pm
by cucci1968
Tony McC wrote:Don't buy paving through Ebay - it's nearly always seconds or leftovers or dodgy in some way. You can get Brett Alpha for less than 12 quid via genuine builder's merchant but try an independent rather than one of the big nationals.
There's kilometres of laying advice on the main website. I'm not going to repeat it all here - look in the block paving section.
hi tony thankyou for your reply, are brett block paving as good as marshalls? or do you get what you pay for? i want to be sure before i buy.
i have been reading the advice about block paving etc from this website for the last few weeks, and also ,after reading the forum, the advice given and about the first timers success at block paving, it really has given me a confidence boost in doing it myself. i built my own extension so i am not completely new to the building trade.thanx to this site i cant wait to start!!! if your interested ill send you some before and after piccies. regards from tony
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 3:40 pm
by Tony McC
Brett manufacture to BS6717, as do Marshalls, so, from a technical point of view, they are both equally good. However, many contractors in SE Eng-er-land seem to prefer Brett for all sorts of idiosyncratic reasons: some claim they cut better; some claim the tumbling/distressing is more subtle; some prefer the colours; some prefer the level of service; some claim there's less efflorescence....it goes on. That's not to say Marshalls are inferior - there's plenty of contractors who will work only with Marshalls blocks, and, surprise surprise, they say things like, "they cut better", "the tumbling is more subtle...." 
If I were you, looking at a one-off job on my own property, I'd have a ride around the local area looking for other driveways that I liked and then ask the homeowner what blocks were used. Given that both types of blocks are adequately strong and durable, the next most important factor is aesthetic - do you like the look of them? And the only way to decide on that is to look at established pavements - never choose solely from unopened packs in a BMs yard or publicity photos of brand new instrallations. What will it look like in 12-18 months time? That's the key question.
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:03 pm
by cucci1968
Tony McC wrote:Brett manufacture to BS6717, as do Marshalls, so, from a technical point of view, they are both equally good. However, many contractors in SE Eng-er-land seem to prefer Brett for all sorts of idiosyncratic reasons: some claim they cut better; some claim the tumbling/distressing is more subtle; some prefer the colours; some prefer the level of service; some claim there's less efflorescence....it goes on. That's not to say Marshalls are inferior - there's plenty of contractors who will work only with Marshalls blocks, and, surprise surprise, they say things like, "they cut better", "the tumbling is more subtle...."
If I were you, looking at a one-off job on my own property, I'd have a ride around the local area looking for other driveways that I liked and then ask the homeowner what blocks were used. Given that both types of blocks are adequately strong and durable, the next most important factor is aesthetic - do you like the look of them? And the only way to decide on that is to look at established pavements - never choose solely from unopened packs in a BMs yard or publicity photos of brand new instrallations. What will it look like in 12-18 months time? That's the key question.
cheers tony,much appreciated , i will do that. regards tony
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:29 pm
by john culpin
Take a look at the Marshalls Ebay shop, yes they are seconds and you may have to buy more than you need - they only deliver in full loads but they are very cheap.
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:48 pm
by Paul Stark
Hi Tony, Paul Stark from Marshalls eBay here. Just wanting to put the record straight. The products we sell on eBay are NOT seconds. They are either discontinued items and not featured in our current brochure or they are off-shade by virtue of being a Colour Trial or a discontinued mix. Technically they are as normal production. Thanks, Paul
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:23 pm
by Tony McC
Noted, Paul - although it wasn't me that said they were seconds.
Good to see you in The Brew Cabin, Paul - We normally only bump into each other at Glee! You can post a link to the Marshalls' Ebay outlet, if you wish.
Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:49 am
by Paul Stark
Thanks Tony .... Here's the link to our factory shop.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Marshalls-Factory-Shop
New listings are currently added each Tuesday.
All the best, Paul
Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:56 pm
by dunkmat
Try plaspave via Cooper Clarke or TP they seem to offer the Siena for around the £12/m2 mark