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Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:42 am
by JA Garden Services
I have just turned sole trader and have been in the industry for 9 years since i left school, the problem is all though i know the job inside out i need peace of mind on my quoting as its something iv never had to do so some feedback on a quote iv just done would be good.
Materials add up to just over £500 including
skip
54x 440x440x32 pendle paving
1 bulk bag of grit sand
2 bulk bags of MOT
8 cement
and fencing materials for round the patio.
Im confident i can do the job within 3 days weather pending, there's a few boarders to dig off and turn over too. I have quoted for £1000 for the whole thing. That's a labourer too as well as me.
Feedback will be much appreciated i need to know if im cheap, expensive, fair etc.
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:44 pm
by lutonlagerlout
looks tight to me on the sand i would of thought 1.5 tonnes
price wise its tight but depends how much you need the work,also i see no provision for pointing the slabs
you wont make a lot but you wont lose if you get my drift
LLL
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:52 pm
by JA Garden Services
cheers, there's no pointing to take in to account there butted up its to match whats there on a new build. Personnaly i would always have joints on riven paving because of the uneven edges but its got to match. Might brush silica sand in.
I used the sand calculator on here to get the ammount lol, all tho iv put on a few extra flags for breaks and cuts.
So you think im too cheap?
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:20 pm
by irishpaving
It can vary depending where you are in the country J. I also think it's a low quote but if you have just started out then treat it as a good learning experience & the first to go into your portfolio. Pop some pics up when you finish for some feedback GL
Irish
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:24 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i see james is in lancashire,so generally speaking the quote would have to be tight in that area to get the work
there seems to be loads of lads in the brew cabin from lancashire
so you should feel right at home james
Ask away and I'm sure your neighbours will point you in the right direction
cheers LLL 
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:53 pm
by bobbi o
remember to add your profit margin onto your costs. a lot of companies seem to be omitting this most important business factor in these times!
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:32 pm
by Pablo
Also bulk bags tend to be on the light side you're almost guaranteed they'll be closer to 800-850 kg the only time they'll weigh a ton is if they're soaking.
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:37 pm
by JA Garden Services
Yeah iv had that problem before pablo, iv taken that in to consideration and was going to pick the remainder up in 25kg bags if necessary as i pass TP on my wy there any way. I would have too much if i got 2 bulk bags and iv only got a small van so wouldn't be able to shift the remainder easily.
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:19 pm
by Dave_L
bobbi o wrote:remember to add your profit margin onto your costs. a lot of companies seem to be omitting this most important business factor in these times!
Indeed - "buying" work is a surefire way towards trouble.......
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:36 pm
by Bob_A
JA Garden Services wrote:.......pick the remainder up in 25kg bags if necessary as i pass TP on my wy there any way.
As matter of interest do you know how much TP will charge you for a 25Kg bag?
Unless you spend £1000's with TP on a regular basis you may find it cheaper to get it from B&Q or Wickes.
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 2:13 pm
by JA Garden Services
yeah iv opened a trade account there i get the usual discount, i know them well at my local TP all though iv not been trading long iv been in and out of there for years working for my old boss, to be fair they look after me.:)
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 3:32 pm
by DNgroundworks
LLL- ive always thought that Lancashire is a tad saturated with groundworkers, paving contractors, civils & utilites lads, i dunno why, or is it just coz i notice more as im in the trade?
Nearly all my mates work for 3 local civils companies or a couple of landscape contractors, i travel some distance for most of my work anyway, i usually have to travel 50miles + a day for work, seems to be a fair bit out towards southport. Not often i get a job in my home town.
Price sounds ok, as the lads say a bit tight, but as your starting out..its a start.
Where abouts you from pal?
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:44 pm
by JA Garden Services
Im just down the road from you im only in bolton, i see your from preston i know it quite well i went to myerscough college about 5 years ago.
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:20 pm
by mickg
if your just starting off then its about right as you need to get some work of your own under your belt
why do you need a labourer to lay just over 10m2 of flags and why would it take you 3 days to complete the work ?
Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:06 pm
by SFLandscape
To give you some idea £1000 is what i would be charging just for 3 days labour min, but i live i Southampton, by the way TP down here are very expensive , i would shop around a bit