The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Wed May 09, 2007 12:39 pm**

i have had a quote to tarmac my whole front garden. the quote is as follows:-
removal of all garden area
removal of flagged area on driveway
supply & fitting new 4ft fence
visqueen all dug out area
hardcore with crushed stone
basecoat tarmacadam
top coat tarmacadam in a 6mm egrade red
machine power rolled to consolidate

all works carried out guaraunteed 5yrs against normal wear.

I am wanting advice as we dont have a lot of money and this quote is nearly a thousand pound cheaper than any of the other quotes that we have had. However his quote is the most thorough, none of the others even state what will be done or wether it will be gauranteed!!! If i agree fro this chap to do the work I am scared to death that because he is cheap it will be a shoddy job??? any advice would ease my headache!!

Thanks

Posted: **Wed May 09, 2007 4:37 pm**

HI

Visqueen is normally used as a damp proof membrane and should not be used under stone in this case the terminology on the quote ie power roller is abit odd does the quote give the thickness of each tarmac layer minimum should be 50mm base 25mm wearing on top of 100mm well compacted type 1 mot stone

regards

matthew
drivewaycompany.co.uk

Posted: **Wed May 09, 2007 6:21 pm**

Matthew has identified my main concerns:

1 - visqueen - has NO PLACE WHATSOEVER beneath a macadam driveway.

2 - "Hardcore" - what is this? And how much of it will be laid?

3 - base - what depth?

4 - "topcoat" - what thickness? Is the red macamite or red binder only?

...and then:

5 - What about drainage?

6 - Is the guarantee backed by an insurance policy?

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 12:25 pm**

Everything that was on the quote is what i have posted. So I take it that this guy doesnt really know what hes doing then?? I am really struggling to find ANYONE who gives even a proper quote!!!! that is why i was impressed by this guy who listed everything albeit i havent a clue about tarmacing anyway!!!!!
Any help would be greatly appreciated as my drive at the min with the rocky flags is shaking the house almost every time it gets driven on.

Please help

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 12:27 pm**

sorry forgot to say Thank you for replying xx

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 4:17 pm**

I wouldn't go as far as saying he doesn't know what he's doing, just that his quotation, which is pretty thorough by driveway blacktop contractor standards, needs refining and tightening up. If he can answer the questions posed in my previous reply, there's no reason to doubt his skills.

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 8:17 pm**

he sounds on the right track,just like the gaffer and matthew say the detail could be more informative
at least he gave you a quote with a breakdown, which is a good start
cheers LLL

Posted: **Fri May 11, 2007 8:25 pm**

Ask him for a couple of clients telephone numbers who would let you go and see his work etc etc.

The Brew Cabin

Tarmac drive/garden - Advice please