Page 1 of 2
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:24 pm
by mo-uk
Hi
This site has been a great help, I also had the book. Was all set to do my project myself but injured my knee so am out of action.
I have found someone to do my garden. 45sqm of Indian Sandstone.
Now from everything I have read here and in the book - the best suggestion if that Sandstone is laid onto a cement and sand mix. Which is how I would have done it. My sandstone will be of 3 mixed sizes and the biggest one is pretty big - i think 900 x 600 (?)
Anyway, I had a guy do some other jobs around my house and he does paving. He has said he can do my garden but the method he will use is a sand screed and lay the slabs on top like you would block paving. He will then point with cement for a strong joint (as opposed to rubbing sand in)
Advice from this site seems to be that it should be done with sand/cement.
Is this an absolute no go, or can it be done this way, just not preferred?
Thanks
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:53 pm
by lutonlagerlout
NO NO NO
he doesn't know what hes doing,
all paving (bar maybe council flags) must be laid on a cementious grit sand cement mortar
especially Indian stone
how much is he planning on charging you for this "epic fail"
It doesnt have to be super strong Mo,but the beding material must have cement in it,i.e. 1:8 ish
LLL
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:23 pm
by mo-uk
He can do the cement sand method but said he would do the sand method on this job - not particularly sure exactly why.
mind you he isn't the first person to come around who has suggested doing it this way.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:37 pm
by cookiewales
mo-uk wrote:He can do the cement sand method but said he would do the sand method on this job - not particularly sure exactly why.
mind you he isn't the first person to come around who has suggested doing it this way.
that is not the way to do it at all within six months or less all your pointing will crack and fail i would have to say he is giveing you bull get it laid to the correct meathod.or your wasting your money cheers cookie :;): ??? ???
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:03 pm
by DNgroundworks
obviously doesnt know what hes doin, as the lads have said should be laid on cementicious grit sand bed or it will just be a complete balls up.
Why would he suggest laying on a screeded sand bed in your situation (whilst indian stone is unregulated in thickness flags will be all over the place) and not in others?
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:10 pm
by mo-uk
ok thanks - i will get some more people in.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:18 pm
by lutonlagerlout
thing is on 45 m2 you would only be looking at roughly 20-25 bags of cement @£3 a bag
is it the whole job they are pricing or just the laying?
as a rough guide indian stone patios normally come out around £100 per metre for the whole job i.e. dig out,stone,edgings,supply and fit ,and pointing.
LLL
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:33 pm
by mo-uk
I have secured the sandstone, grit sand and type 1.
its mainly only labour and taking away the rubbish that they are supplying.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 7:25 pm
by Injured
Have alook at the brew cabin contractors list that has been compiled to see if there is anyone near you who could give you a quote on doing a proper job.
As has been stated it has to be laid on a cement bound bed and cant be screeded due to the uneveness and differing thickness of each flag.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:02 pm
by lutonlagerlout
I see from Mo's profile he is in southampton
AFAIK there is no one in the brew cabin irregulars from that area
its impossible to price from a remote screen ,but just to turn up lay and point 45M2 I would be looking for £900 +vat
but you have the digging out and stoning up/drainage on top of that
my sister in law had her patio laid by one of those "i have done it for years like this guys"
he piled neat grit sand on grass ,screeded it off with a 2 foot level,then laid the circle straight on the grit sand
he then brushed neat cement over the circle and applied a watering can
are you laughing or crying yet?
when i asked him about subase etc he just went vacant
"what does she want for £200?" labour only mind
anyway the good bit was when she moved i just picked the segments up and put them in a barrow,all the sand had washed away, and there was just a nasty stain on the lawn.
LLL
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:52 pm
by DNgroundworks
:p
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:56 am
by Injured
Is that the true 'pikey' method then so they can move patio with caravan?? 
:p
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 9:31 am
by dig dug dan
just to concur with everyone, the screed method will not work as the flags are of differing thicknesses. I can't imagine what sort of mess this would look at the end, or how many trip hazards there would be.
the fact that two contractors have said they will do the same thing suggests that there aren't many decent workers in the southampton area! ???
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:27 am
by cookiewales
dig dug dan wrote:just to concur with everyone, the screed method will not work as the flags are of differing thicknesses. I can't imagine what sort of mess this would look at the end, or how many trip hazards there would be.
the fact that two contractors have said they will do the same thing suggests that there aren't many decent workers in the southampton area! ???
best for the custermer is see there work and check its theres then look at price but you allways should have like for like to compare.prices.some off us like to lay to a higher speck or as the gaffer would say belt and braces it works as dont get recalls back to jobs :p ???
Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:22 am
by Tony McC
lutonlagerlout wrote:I see from Mo's profile he is in southampton
AFAIK there is no one in the brew cabin irregulars from that area
SF Landscapes is from Southampton - I'll email him and wake him from his hibernation.