The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Sun Sep 04, 2011 3:56 pm**

Hi - I want to re-do my back 'patio' but there are different parts to the job and I don't know if I need a general builder, a landscaper, or a paving expert. Any guidance is appreciated.

I live in a basement flat. Back Patio is accessed out bedroom door, up some stone steps. There's a 6ft retaining wall alongside steps and a sort of shed (just has roof & door built against walls) is built between retaining wall, neighbour's wall and bedroom wall. Retaining wall very cracked and needs re-rendering, which may involve taking shed down and rebuilding.
Steps up are narrow, slippy, uneven and too steep. Would like to redo them safer, and cut a corner off retaining wall to open steps out a little & get more light in bedroom. Also want to pave whole of patio as currently is half aggregate (back half nr bedroom) and half pavers. Need it paved so I can keep my motorbike on back half, as currently aggregate half is wasted space and bike takes up only usable space.

So... what kind of trademen do I need?! A builder for the retaining wall & steps & re-do shed?; or a landscaper or paving expert to help me get best layout or a combination of the above?

Thanks!

Posted: **Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:33 pm**

Well i call myself a "groundwork and paving contractor" and id take a job like that on - standard fare for us. A good builder could do it as well probably.

Posted: **Thu Sep 08, 2011 10:46 am**

Agree with DN. A competent Landscaper/Groundworker or builder will able to do the job.

Be careful though and dont go for the cheapest price. Its the sort of job that could be easily bodged

Posted: **Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:11 am**

you need teh best guy for the job, it covers all those trades but individual tradesmen dont cover all those jobs if you get me

a "normal" builder might be out of his depth with it or not lay the patio correctly, try to get recommendations and look at previous work and get three quotes with specifications. if you dont know what theyre on about run them by us on here and we'll help you pick the right spec.

Posted: **Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:16 pm**

mighgt be worth getting someone who has knowledge of all area, most of the guys on here have that knowledge. or use a 2 tradesmen to do different parts of the work

Posted: **Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:37 pm**

I'd look for a landscaper that advertises their services under paving in the phonebook etc. That way all the bases will be covered by one company .

The Brew Cabin

What do i need - builder/landscaper/paver?! - Guidance on tradesman required