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Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:58 pm
by paddcomp
I've been looking into block paving my driveway and paths around the house for some time now, but have been put off by the expense (usually £50-65 per metre).
I've now found a company that will dig out my tarmac drive to a depth of 10", lay 6" of MOT 1, sand screed and lay 50mm concrete blocks (Bradstone or Charol, +£3 for Marshalls) in any colour or pattern. All this for £30 per square metre.
My concerns are; is this too cheap (using Paving Experts calulator it should be double this)?
The company is Ashwood Construction based in Stoke, does anyone have any experience of this company?
As no money changes hands until it complete and they do as they say i.e. dig to 10" and back fill with MOT 1 what can go wrong, is there anything I should look out for?
For info, the drive is 100m2, paths are another 40m2 with no manholes or other difficult obstacles. Circumference approx 100m.
Advice appreciated TIA.
Brian
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:56 am
by TheVictorianCobbleCo
I honestly think they've got a typo error, get another 2 quotes from likesized companies and get this company to detail their quote as extensively as possible, including guarantees etc, I'd be VERY careful.
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 12:38 pm
by Tony McC
There's is no way that they can do a 'proper job' for 30 quid. For that sort of money, you will get a dusting of sand, the blocks thrown down, no proper edge restraints, no effective sub-base, crap cutting-in, and they'll probably want paying in cash.
I also suspect this might turn out to be one of those jobs that mysteriously develops "unforeseen problems" once they've got it dug out, and they suddenly need another 5 or 10 grand to make it right, or you're left with a huge hole where your drive should be.
When it all falls apart in 12 months time, there'll be no chance at all of them coming back to put it right.
As Bill says, get AT LEAST two other quotes. You've already stated that you know the 'going rate is 50-60 quid. Remember the old adage: "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!"
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:56 pm
by paddcomp
Tony McC wrote:There's is no way that they can do a 'proper job' for 30 quid. For that sort of money, you will get a dusting of sand, the blocks thrown down, no proper edge restraints, no effective sub-base, crap cutting-in, and they'll probably want paying in cash.
When it all falls apart in 12 months time, there'll be no chance at all of them coming back to put it right.
Remember the old adage: "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!"
I know you're right, but I'd like to know where they're ripping me off or cutting the cost. As stated there is a specification to work to (10" dug out, 6" MOT 1, 2" sand screed, Bradstone blocks any colour any pattern, haunches set on 3" concrete). Money only paid on satis completion.
I do like bargains............. but I can't afford to get it wrong and replace it in a few years. So unfortunately I'm left with the problem of how to replace 140m2 of drive and paths for under £5K.
Thanks!
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:11 pm
by lutonlagerlout
this ashwood construction??
they seem to be multi-talented
ask to see some recent work and speak to the punters,the website pics seem to come from different sources
cheers LLL
btw i had a QS price a job for me recently and on the drive he allowed £92.50 per m for completed block paving (this was including 22% profit on labour and materials) you cannot make block paving pay on less than £70 a m 2 down these parts
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:12 am
by Tony McC
I don;t which of the various corners will be cut, but for 30 quid, you'll be lucky to have any corners left at all!
If I had to choose one reason for such an unfeasible priice, it would be the "unforeseen circs" excuse, but amongst the numerous corners that can be cut....
Excavation - nowhere near as deep as they claim and the spoil is dumped somehwre illegal. Exc and cart-away tends to be done while the customer is out: you nip down to the papershop for a packet of fags and a quarter of wine gums, and by the time you get back, the drive is dug off and stoned up - miraculously.
Edge courses - laid on the sand to suit the paving and minimise cutting, and then haunched with a trowelful of twenty-to-plenty mortar.
Do the maths for yourself: use the spreadsheet I provide on the main website to work out how you would get the price down tto 30 quid per square metre. The blocks cost, at best, 8 quid per m² (plus VAT), so that leaves you 22 quid to cover everything else.
Can't be done.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:56 pm
by Ted
I must be thick...
What is twenty-to-plenty mortar exactly?
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:58 pm
by lutonlagerlout
sand with a blush of dust in it ted,
i have seen many pikeys haunching with it.
its bio degradeable though :;):
LLL
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:06 pm
by Ted
I thought it was.
