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Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 6:20 pm
by pagmore
I have a possible job coming up where the client would like some nice repro slabs on his drive. I know the manufacturers methods for a drive of laying the slabs directly on a 100mm concrete bed with sub base under. My own instincts are to lay a reinforced slab, then lay the slabs on a sharp sand and cement bed.
Any thoughts are welcome.
Regards
Pag'
Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 6:45 pm
by lutonlagerlout
AFAIK there are only a couple of slabs suitable for car weights etc
its not so much the sinking bit,its when they use power steering to turn the wheel, and it crumbles the surface, thats the problem you face
i suppose if you put a disclaimer in the quote for power steering damage ,you might be ok
cheers LLL 
Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:47 pm
by pagmore
Thanks for that, LLL
This is a good point for this drive especially as it's around the back of the house with a sharp turn in, and maybe a bit of shunting about too.
I've used stonemarket millstone before to good effect, and this is okayed by the manufacturer. The BM that I use deals in Marshalls and has pointed me in the direction of their Polesden Lacey slabs. Can't find anything online about it's suitability for drives, so I'll give them a ring methinks.
Cheers,
Pag'
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:04 am
by slimdotjim
Brett produce a couple of slabs they suggest are suitable for driveways, chaucer traffic, also in a glass finish and quorndon in a riven finish. There both 50mm thick so can be used in conjunction with blocks. In the Brett technical data it suggests either a solid concrete base or lay on 50mm compacted sand, there words not mine. Nice picture in the broucher where they have used slabs and blocks together, looks pretty stylish. Hope this is of some help
cheers sdj
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:25 pm
by pagmore
Thanks for the info. I checked the Brett webpage this morning but couldn't find the Chaucers. It was early though. I'll try again. (Had a nice little job 'n knock this morning).
I telephoned Marshalls today and they said that none of their decorative slabs are guarenteed for drives, and they have had comebacks on them. I have had medium priced slabs in my own drive for a few years, full bedded on concrete slab with no probs.
Seems, just lately that I'm telling more people what they can't have then what they can. Now, I must brush off my sales pitch to turn a negative into a positive.
Pag'
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:03 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i spoke to the gaffer at exw and i reckon the tide has turned on block paving,especially the budget stuff
we used to do drives in blocks regularly but people seem to want slabs or combination finishs more now
LLL
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:27 pm
by pagmore
Like the look of the slabs myself, but laying them on a drive compared to blocks is so much more agg' . I found the Brett Chaucer blocks and they look V good. Thanks again for the pointer.
Don't mind the laying of either compared to the selling. I'd be interested to hear of other's approach when visiting to price. Maybe it should be a different subject.
Pag'
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:40 pm
by slimdotjim
I've found a computer drawing program called google sketchup written by the search engine people, its free. So when I call to measure up I do a sketch of the house and reproduce it later using sketchup I then add the driveway to the drawing showing different finish options. (sketch up is really easy to use compared to other CAD based drawring programs). Its actually more of a architects tool, but works just as well for garden designs and driveways. If you print the end product out in photo quality the graphics are very impressive, im sure this technique has won me many a contract. But in general I try to make the client feel I want the best option for them, which I do. I also always offer the chance to view previous jobs in the flesh, and have found if you do a quality job people are only to willing to except the occasional phone call or viewer. I also sometimes offer to match a quote but if I can't I will say so, but will advise the client if they do go for the cheaper quote make sure certain specs are adhered to i.e. 100mm mot,150mm below damp proof etc which I provide for them in writing
cheers
sdj
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:40 pm
by slimdotjim
Sorry posted twice by mistake
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:35 pm
by pagmore
I've tried using sketch-up and struggled no end with it. I think it might not be compatible with Vista. I always provide the full written quotationn and realise that this gives people a little of the security that they need. All my business is now on recommendation, but there's still the "sell" hate that word, that has to go on. In my case it isn't so much of a sell, more speaking through the options, prices and revisiting two or three times.
I do like the idea of using sketch-up. How do you get the paving options into it? Perhaps I better master how to draw boxes first.
Cheers
Pag'
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 6:04 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i used to dread giving people their price if it was a large amount,its horrible standing in someone's kitchen and them saying "shall i sit down luv?" and then giving them the price and watching their jaw drop 
"i paid half that amount for the 'ouse lad!" is a common one
(yes but that was 40 years ago
anyway now i just price the job to our business plan,to do everything as it should be and if we get it we get it,and if we dont we dont.
sometimes people who look skint say yes straight away and people who look minted don't want to know
it takes all sorts i suppose
i know its wrong but i do get a bit of schadenfreude when i hear of someone who went for a 5 % cheaper quote and the job has gone wrong big time.
i quoted some work recently for a lady and she didnt even have the manners to tell me it was a no-go.
funny enough she rang me ,when the other builder took £7 k of her money, and told her thats all he is doing( job half done)
i told her to refer to his estimate and she said he just gave her a figure on the phone
you pays your money, you takes your chances
regards LLL
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:27 pm
by Tony McC
A colleague in Holland put me on to Sketch-Up a couple of years ago and it is a great tool if you put the work into it and make a real effort to learn how to use it to best effect. For simple drawings (and most patios/driveweays are simple) it's hard to beat - certainly much quiicker than a full CAD program - but for larger site works, I found it lost its edge and became more of a hindrance than a help.
Well worth playing with, though, if you have a couple of days spare.