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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 12:15 am
by christo
Can somebody help me to find a PIC Contractor in SE Kent. I live in Sandwich & am planning to have my driveway (156 sqm.) done in pattern imprinted concrete.
Found a few national contractors on line, but will not be able to see their products. I am getting really worried reading the various problems that people have had with the product.
Is it safer to go for the old fashioned block paving?
Cheers
Christo
Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:45 pm
by lutonlagerlout
Is it safer to go for the old fashioned block paving?
yes christo
regards LLL 
Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 10:53 pm
by christo
Quite disappointed. I was getting quite excited about it. Do the rest feel the same?
Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 11:32 pm
by nelly05
I looked at both and went for blockpaving. More help, info an advice available. Liftable if required, good colour range, and generally better suited for me.
Each to their own though.
Have read a lot of problems with the surface deteriorating and colour coming off!!
Regards
Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 8:11 pm
by Stuarty
Im inclined to agree with LLL
Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 7:20 am
by Suggers
For my twopenneth, I also agree - a flexible solution will always be better....
Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 9:12 pm
by christo
Thanks a lot for the advice. Maybe I should go with the good old blockpaving.
Christo
Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 9:37 pm
by lutonlagerlout
there are a lot of new and innovative block paviors on the market christo,you can pay top dollar and get ones that look like hewn granite,theres all sorts really
look on the suppliers page herein
regards LLL
Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:59 pm
by christo
Thanks LLL.
My only worry with block paving is that after a few years it looks a bit tatty & then the weeds...........
I had messages from Brittanica (Bomanite) & Mansion Driveways (Recommended by PIC- Claiming to be the largest in Kent) offering PIC. They look quite reputable on the web. Do you think I should get some quotes - if the company is big & reputable, then are the chances quite good that the installer will be good? I'm still thinking about the concrete, aren't I?
Cheers
Christo
Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 12:26 am
by lutonlagerlout
2 things mate ,the block paving that looks tatty after a few years is normally the budget level concrete blocks,if you get clay pavers the colour stays forever
and weeds are seeds that have germinated in the joints,yearly maintenance sorts these out
with pic if 1 mistake is made you are bollixed completely
I'm not saying don't do it ,just consider it carefully and research the company that does it fully
LLL
Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 2:40 pm
by Tony McC
Get at least 3 quotes, and preferably use local firms - local contractors are less likely to crap on their own doorstep, if you know what I mean. I have reservations about many of the so-called national contractors, although there are some good guys out there.
If PICS are recommending someone (and make sure it's a recommendation and not just a suggestion) then they are probably as good as it gets.
Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 11:12 pm
by Ted
Mansion use subbies; it all depends on who does the work. I know a guy who used to work for them from time to time. He can do a good job if given the right materials.
Personally, I wouldn't use Mansion as they use subbies.
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 8:01 am
by Tony McC
The issue of the so-called national contractors using sub-contractors to undertake the work is a major cause of the problems I see with residential paving, and, because of the differences in their respective markets, the PIC trade is more severely affected than is that of block paving.
The scenario runs summat like... client is not happy with work, so contacts main contractor: main contractor has already settled-up with subbie and knows they won't come back to make good: main contractor fobs off client with promise of an extra coat of sealant: sealant fails to rectify problem: client is even more disappointed and gets on to Trading Standards: client has to take action against main contractor, who ought to take action against subbie, but knows that would be peeing into the wind, so the whole process gets dragged out for month after month after month, and the reputation of that particular paving type is further diminished.
Yes: there are good national contractors, and subbies are used, and I'm generalising, but time after time I see problems with the contract chain being a major stumbling block to speedy and efficient remedial work.
Further, if something does go awry (with ANY type of residential paving), it's much easier to get the contractor back if they live within, say, 15 miles, rather than hailing from an anonymous business unit on the other side of the country.
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:23 pm
by Stewart Towes
This subject(PIC)does make interesting reading.I am in the same sort of situation as Christo,as in I am looking for a reputable company in my area(Teesside)to do some work in my garden.This would encompass a patio area and 2 pathways.When I first started thinking about the project I was considering paving,block paving or a combination of both.
However,on my travels I noticed quite a few properties had their driveways done with PIC.Any way,the old light bulb lit up and I thought it might do the job.The mix of patterns and colours made me think.Then I started to read the horror stories in the forum and to be honest it has scared me off somewhat.Are there any good companies in my area who deal in PIC or is it better to play safe and seek out a reliable paving/block paving contractor?
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:54 pm
by Ted
For a few hundred quid a day you can get the tech dept of a PIC supply house out to supervise the pour!
Sort it out yourself, (ie, excavations, sub-base etc) and do the pour with several mates one afternoon and a tech guy telling you what to do and then go to the pub. This is probably the cheapest and easiest and safest way of getting a good PIC installation!