The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Sun Apr 24, 2005 10:16 pm**

I've got 23 squared metres of paving to lay and I'm planning on using the cheapest 18"x18" flags I can find. The reason I'm looking for the cheapest is that the flags are going to be used for mainly exercising the dogs on, plus the dogs will no doubt 'perform' on them as well.

I reckon I'll need 4 flags per square metre, so thats about 100 flags with a few to spare just in case.

I've rung up various places and got the following prices:

Â£1.89 each with free delivery
Â£1.67 each with free delivery
Â£1.90 each with free delivery due to quantity (usually Â£1.99)

I even popped into Focus today just in case they had a special offer on or something and found some flags at Â£1.39 a peice. I thought "great!", but then asked how much delivery would be to my house 12 miles away. Â£30 for normal delivery, plus an additional Â£20 because of the weight/quantity. Â£50 for delivery, talk about a rip-off!

So after all the waffle here's my question: Where might I get some cheaper flags? I live in Buxton in Derbyshire which is surrounded in quaries etc... Anyone ever heard of quaries selling direct to the public? Does anyone know of a supplier in my area which will do cheaper?

Thanks in advance.

Posted: **Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:00 am**

Have you checked out the links page which contains a link to both concrete and natural flag manufacturers/suppliers around the country. Also try the Yellow Pages.

Yes, I know of several quarries in my area (North East) that sell direct to the public. Look up your local quarries in the Yellow Pages and give them a call.

Posted: **Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:19 pm**

You may also want to consider what would happen if one of the dogs became ill. Disinfecting those 400 cracks between the flags is going to be something of a problem. A solid slab would be much easier to keep clean.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 3:12 pm**

For dog runs, a solid concrete hardstanding is better than flags because of the jointing issues mentioned by Jon (Danensis). Urine often penetrates mortar pointing (unless it's a high-strength, beefed-up with Ronafix/SBR, quality pointed joint) and so contaminates the bedding material and before too long, the whole yard stinks to high hell and back.

Of course, you could lay the cheapo flags on concrete and point with a quality mortar is some sort of aesthetic appeal is required, but plain concrete is a better option, and it's cheaper!

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 5:46 pm**

I was a bit put off when you mentioned mass concrete, but having seem some PIC examples it seems like a far better idea!

Looks like I've got some reading up to do

The Brew Cabin

Flag prices