Tarmac problems - Advice needed

[VX10]

I am in need of some advice about a tarmac drive we had laid last Nov.We were quoted in July 2009,gave the go ahead in Oct,but the company had been wound up by the receiver in Aug.This was of course not known to us.The cheque was made out to his brothers company(had the same initials as co name)so we thought it ok . We paid for 6mm SMA with a 5 yr guarantee .The surface is very soft and has sunk all over the place up to 10mm .The top coat is also breaking up in a few areas.
The whole process was a disaster,taking 10 days to lay a few blocks and 50sqm of tarmac.They laid it late afternoon the first time,and the roller packed up 3/4 of the way through,so they had to remove the top layer and relay a week later,again in late afternoon.
In warm weather you can push a screwdriver into it with ease,and even my knee caused a dent when working on a car. I have obviously contacted our original contractor who has done a bunk.
Trading Standards are involved but not been much use,they have us advised to go the small claims court with whom we paid cheque to.
I am having trouble getting quotes from local contractors to have the surface removed and relaid(needed for court) as soon as you tell them why they dont want to know.
One contractor that did come out informed me that he had laid wearing course not SMA as charged for.(never got his quote even after a phone call) The base stone seemed to be ok and deep enough for the job in hand 100mm.
Can some one please give a rough cost of removing 50sqm of tarmac and relaying with 50mm base coat and 25mm top coat SMA.
After reading other topics on similar issues where courts had decided in favor of the contractor, I am wondering if I stand a good chance of winning.
If we dont get any money from the contractor,can the drive be salvaged in anyway,on a very hot day it is very soft.
Is it possible to re-roll it to try to smooth out some of the imperfections ?
Will it harden over time,and would it be worth putting a coating on it ?
Any helpfull advice would be appreciated

[bobbi o]

you'd be looking at around £40 per sq.m top line to excavate and re-lay. you'll need a written quote to take this further so you need to persevere and find a reputable contractor to give you this. use any other tradesmen contacts you have to give you a recommendation and use their name when you call them up.

[Dave_L]

I don't know why some contractors are scared of getting involved with rectification works; we have done so (put some shocking work to rights) and have picked up work in the locality after the customer sings our praises.

[Big Phil]

is there a gypsy code?