Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: amigov6 on 26 September 2009, 19:38:29
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Mine really needs redoing. When i bought the house 7/8 years ago it was new but not built for parking. Still i parked everything all over it anyway so it's now a proper mess, dipped everywhere, colours faded etc.
A company were canvassing today & quoted me £1200 to lift, dig 10 inches down, new sand layers etc. skim the bricks clean & dig out lay new tarmac where i used to have a front wall. Pleaded poverty & said i could'nt afford it. He asked what i could afford cash & i said £700. He came back in @ a grand, 900, 800, stuck to my guns & deal is done @ £700 if i'm happy on completion of the job.
I know what's involved in doing the job properly & will be watching closely.
Never take the first quote. They need you more than you need them! 8-)
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Mine really needs redoing. When i bought the house 7/8 years ago it was new but not built for parking. Still i parked everything all over it anyway so it's now a proper mess, dipped everywhere, colours faded etc.
A company were canvassing today & quoted me £1200 to lift, dig 10 inches down, new sand layers etc. skim the bricks clean & dig out lay new tarmac where i used to have a front wall. Pleaded poverty & said i could'nt afford it. He asked what i could afford cash & i said £700. He came back in @ a grand, 900, 800, stuck to my guns & deal is done @ £700 if i'm happy on completion of the job.
I know what's involved in doing the job properly & will be watching closely.
Never take the first quote. They need you more than you need them! 8-)
Good deal I say mate :y
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Mine really needs redoing. When i bought the house 7/8 years ago it was new but not built for parking. Still i parked everything all over it anyway so it's now a proper mess, dipped everywhere, colours faded etc.
A company were canvassing today & quoted me £1200 to lift, dig 10 inches down, new sand layers etc. skim the bricks clean & dig out lay new tarmac where i used to have a front wall. Pleaded poverty & said i could'nt afford it. He asked what i could afford cash & i said £700. He came back in @ a grand, 900, 800, stuck to my guns & deal is done @ £700 if i'm happy on completion of the job.
I know what's involved in doing the job properly & will be watching closely.
Never take the first quote. They need you more than you need them! 8-)
Lol, so he digs down 10 inches, and then lobs tarmac down.
Its either a very small area or it aint gonna be a good job.!
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My mate had quite a big area done, 2 new fences etc etc etc and got a verbal quote that included some sort of sealed finnish to top it off.
I have seen all the pics of the digger, old garden and fences out, in with all new concrete posts and concrete foot boards as well as edging to block pave up to. Down with the base and compacting, then same with the sand, in with the paving and a couple of borders and patterns in it. All finshed off and tideied up. Payments were made before starting and during the work as it progressed with all the money being fully paid up half way through the paving going down.
All 100% so far, my mate enquired about the sealant/finnish to be told they had never talked about that and it would be extra. Big big argument and a parting of company, a few irrate calls off my mate wanting what they had agreed on, sadly all he got was about 5/10 gallons of used engine oil all over his drive and a massive bill to have it professionally cleaned/
All the police said when contacted was, can you/have you any proof of who did it it Sir.
Sounds like you nailed a good deal, make sure you get all the right paperwork singed off them, if not sneal some pictures of all the workers whilst working for future reference. :y
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Mine really needs redoing. When i bought the house 7/8 years ago it was new but not built for parking. Still i parked everything all over it anyway so it's now a proper mess, dipped everywhere, colours faded etc.
A company were canvassing today & quoted me £1200 to lift, dig 10 inches down, new sand layers etc. skim the bricks clean & dig out lay new tarmac where i used to have a front wall. Pleaded poverty & said i could'nt afford it. He asked what i could afford cash & i said £700. He came back in @ a grand, 900, 800, stuck to my guns & deal is done @ £700 if i'm happy on completion of the job.
I know what's involved in doing the job properly & will be watching closely.
Never take the first quote. They need you more than you need them! 8-)
Lol, so he digs down 10 inches, and then lobs tarmac down.
Its either a very small area or it aint gonna be a good job.!
Tarmac only on the boundary as said in post.
Either way suggest where i get it done cheaper.
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Mine really needs redoing. When i bought the house 7/8 years ago it was new but not built for parking. Still i parked everything all over it anyway so it's now a proper mess, dipped everywhere, colours faded etc.
A company were canvassing today & quoted me £1200 to lift, dig 10 inches down, new sand layers etc. skim the bricks clean & dig out lay new tarmac where i used to have a front wall. Pleaded poverty & said i could'nt afford it. He asked what i could afford cash & i said £700. He came back in @ a grand, 900, 800, stuck to my guns & deal is done @ £700 if i'm happy on completion of the job.
I know what's involved in doing the job properly & will be watching closely.
Never take the first quote. They need you more than you need them! 8-)
Lol, so he digs down 10 inches, and then lobs tarmac down.
Its either a very small area or it aint gonna be a good job.!
Tarmac only on the boundary as said in post.
Either way suggest where i get it done cheaper.
Not allways about getting it cheaper. :-/
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Nope, its about getting it right.
I know that when I did my drive it was 72m2 at a cost of 2000 quid for materials only....
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My mate had quite a big area done, 2 new fences etc etc etc and got a verbal quote that included some sort of sealed finnish to top it off.
I have seen all the pics of the digger, old garden and fences out, in with all new concrete posts and concrete foot boards as well as edging to block pave up to. Down with the base and compacting, then same with the sand, in with the paving and a couple of borders and patterns in it. All finshed off and tideied up. Payments were made before starting and during the work as it progressed with all the money being fully paid up half way through the paving going down.
All 100% so far, my mate enquired about the sealant/finnish to be told they had never talked about that and it would be extra. Big big argument and a parting of company, a few irrate calls off my mate wanting what they had agreed on, sadly all he got was about 5/10 gallons of used engine oil all over his drive and a massive bill to have it professionally cleaned/
All the police said when contacted was, can you/have you any proof of who did it it Sir.
Sounds like you nailed a good deal, make sure you get all the right paperwork singed off them, if not sneal some pictures of all the workers whilst working for future reference. :y
Hi Phil. I think the finish you mention is the one that looks wet all the time. Not having that but payment is witheld til i'm happy & my brother is a debt recovery solicitor. I know the ropes & i'm not the sort of bloke to bow down to any intimidation should it arise. 8-)
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My mate had quite a big area done, 2 new fences etc etc etc and got a verbal quote that included some sort of sealed finnish to top it off.
I have seen all the pics of the digger, old garden and fences out, in with all new concrete posts and concrete foot boards as well as edging to block pave up to. Down with the base and compacting, then same with the sand, in with the paving and a couple of borders and patterns in it. All finshed off and tideied up. Payments were made before starting and during the work as it progressed with all the money being fully paid up half way through the paving going down.
All 100% so far, my mate enquired about the sealant/finnish to be told they had never talked about that and it would be extra. Big big argument and a parting of company, a few irrate calls off my mate wanting what they had agreed on, sadly all he got was about 5/10 gallons of used engine oil all over his drive and a massive bill to have it professionally cleaned/
All the police said when contacted was, can you/have you any proof of who did it it Sir.
Sounds like you nailed a good deal, make sure you get all the right paperwork singed off them, if not sneal some pictures of all the workers whilst working for future reference. :y
Hi Phil. I think the finish you mention is the one that looks wet all the time. Not having that but payment is witheld til i'm happy & my brother is a debt recovery solicitor. I know the ropes & i'm not the sort of bloke to bow down to any intimidation should it arise. 8-)
Glad to hear it. :y :y :y :y :y
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My money is on.
They wont retain the blocks correctly around the edge
They will use a cheap hardcore and not a properly compacted DTp1
They wont put a deep enough fill in. (note, you need 150mm of sub base on a properly prepared sub-grade plus 40mm of grit sand with the edge blocks bedded on at least a 100m concrete bed plus a haunch to restrain them)
As for cleaning them up.....turn them over!
Remember, concrete blocks dont last, they weather, fade and stain easily.
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Heres a picture
(http://www.pavingexpert.com/images/blocks/xsection_01.gif)
Note, tarmac is not suitable to retain the edge blocks :y
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Mark's drive looks very well & he did an excellent job. Listen to him he knows what he's talking about.
Just a shame he probably still has my oil stains on his blocks :-[ :-[ (common to the DTi ;D)
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Had ours done in 2004, rep came to the door at the right time ::) a reputable company with it's office in the town where I work. Quoted £3500, said I would think about it, and I did mention I was able to pay cash. Got a phone call a few days later, if I was able to pay cash they could do the Job for £2400 iirc
Done deal :y Monitored the Job, each day when I got home from work, they did a great Job and no payment required until the job was complete and I was happy with it :y :y Refused to park any cars on it for a few days, it looked so nice. ::)
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I'll take my chances. Only a small area. If bricks not cleaned properly i'll get the Karcher out. I admit i've got my doubts but am not prepared to throw 2 or 3 grand at it, i'd rather concrete it myself.
MDTM's house is very tidy & he's a patient loving father, tantrums & dirty nappies were taken in his stride but boy did he throw a fit when one of his children walked on the gravel!
Thanks for the heads but you really wobbled mate, never seen you like that, even i watched where i walked on the way out!!!!
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Hope to god you don't live to regret it mate! I paid over £3500 two years ago to the w**kers who did mine, I was promised the earth, they showed me dozens of 'their' completed jobs in a photo album & actually took me around to two houses in my area they said they had done. They were recommended by the bloke who built my conservatory, and it still turned into a nightmare I relive every time I leave my front door & see the state its in. Although I didnt know it at the time, I had throat cancer & because I felt so ill I couldnt be arsed to go through the county court procedure. Although I am hopefully 'on the mend' now, the hassle I had accellerated my illness through stress and increased the recovery time. Heres hoping its all 'plain sailing' for you! :y
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While I'm not trying to say you wont get a reasonable job, Guy, I wont let anyone do any jobs for me without a personal recommendation.
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While I'm not trying to say you wont get a reasonable job, Guy, I wont let anyone do any jobs for me without a personal recommendation.
Me too :y
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word of mouth is the best kind of advertising you can get and it costs nothing! i am self employed started 5 years ago and have never advertised work just keeps coming in . Hope it works out for you mate :y :y
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I'm hoping it goes well & aware i'm treading on dodgy ground. No money up front so can withhold payment should i deem necessary. I'm up for a pikey fight on the doorstep if they get funny or i've got free legal rep in court which i doubt they'd like.
If they do a fair job i'll pay up. If not i'm not one to be intimidated & can stand my ground.
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I hope they are bonafide workers, and don't live in caravans...... I hope it works out for you..... :y
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My money is on.
They wont retain the blocks correctly around the edge
They will use a cheap hardcore and not a properly compacted DTp1
They wont put a deep enough fill in. (note, you need 150mm of sub base on a properly prepared sub-grade plus 40mm of grit sand with the edge blocks bedded on at least a 100m concrete bed plus a haunch to restrain them)
As for cleaning them up.....turn them over!
Remember, concrete blocks dont last, they weather, fade and stain easily.
don't know if it needs to be that deep :o ;D ;D
20 years ago i did driveways (not mono-bloc but similar prep) - and you're put out of business by cowboys undercutting and doing an embarrassing job thats lucky to last a few weeks
as MarksDTM says, its ALL in the preparation and foundations any fool can make the top layer look nice and neat
sounds cheap so keep an eye out - hope its all good :y
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MDTM & many of you know your stuff, i'm aware i'm treading on thin ice but am paying nothing til i'm happy with the end result. As we speak there is someone of Eastern European origin lifting the blocks as we speak.(Poor sod's probably working all Sunday for £20) We've established he likes coffee but does'nt want a bacon sarnie.
Sounds dodgy i know but will take pics @ each stage. ::)
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa42/dogsdinner44/2009_0927drive0001.jpg)
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa42/dogsdinner44/2009_0927drive0002.jpg)
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa42/dogsdinner44/2009_0927drive0003.jpg)
Work in progress, compacting & muck away tomorrow ready for stone & sand.
Just washed the Beastie!!!!! 8-)
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Bet he's Muslim, if you catch him eyeballing the blocks at ground level he isn't being fastidious, he's praying LOL ;D :y
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MDTM & many of you know your stuff, i'm aware i'm treading on thin ice but am paying nothing til i'm happy with the end result. As we speak there is someone of Eastern European origin lifting the blocks as we speak.(Poor sod's probably working all Sunday for £20) We've established he likes coffee but does'nt want a bacon sarnie.
Sounds dodgy i know but will take pics @ each stage. ::)
Keep an eye on what they do with the edging blocks and the sub-base prep....get that right and its fairly easy. The above is more of a , what to look for' :y
Like I said, the secret to blocks is to turn them over and then clean them as they fade, absorb stains and wear.....mine is clay paved so wont stain, fade or wear the same.
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Here are pics of mine during construction
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0027.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0028.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0029.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0030.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0031.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0032.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0033.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0034.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0035.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0036.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0037.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0038.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0039.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0040.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0041.jpg)
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Here are pics of mine during construction
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0027.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0028.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0029.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0030.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0031.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0032.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0033.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0034.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0035.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0036.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0037.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0038.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0039.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0040.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0041.jpg)
What a lovely house you have :y
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Here are pics of mine during construction
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0027.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0028.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0029.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0030.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0031.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0032.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0033.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0034.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0035.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0036.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0037.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0038.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0039.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0040.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/Marks_DTM_Calib/Driveway/SCAN0041.jpg)
:o :o
amazing job.. :y :y
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Mine's much smaller!!!! ::)
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Mine's much smaller!!!! ::)
It's not the size that counts ...............apparently.... :D :D :D
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i,m a brickie by trade, but i did literally 1000 sq mtrs during the 90,s when the Berlin wall came down. ( bus stations , lorry parks etc ) and i agree its all about the prep. wacker plate heavier the better a good tip is stand on the finished screed - you should not leave a footprint , also wet sand is no good.
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i,m a brickie by trade, but i did literally 1000 sq mtrs during the 90,s when the Berlin wall came down. ( bus stations , lorry parks etc ) and i agree its all about the prep. wacker plate heavier the better a good tip is stand on the finished screed - you should not leave a footprint , also wet sand is no good.
The weight of the wacker has no bearing on it at all (a very common myth), its actually based on the impact force per m2. Hence a smaller plate compactor with a small base can have a much higher impact force then a larger item with a big plate. In this case, the smaller one will give greater compaction and give better results. :y (Studied this in great details before purchasing one :D)
My finished base took the weight of the rear wheels of a tipper which was dropping another 10 tons of base! :o (Which I was pretty surprised by)
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i,m a brickie by trade, but i did literally 1000 sq mtrs during the 90,s when the Berlin wall came down. ( bus stations , lorry parks etc ) and i agree its all about the prep. wacker plate heavier the better a good tip is stand on the finished screed - you should not leave a footprint , also wet sand is no good.
The weight of the wacker has no bearing on it at all (a very common myth), its actually based on the impact force per m2. Hence a smaller plate compactor with a small base can have a much higher impact force then a larger item with a big plate. In this case, the smaller one will give greater compaction and give better results. :y (Studied this in great details before purchasing one :D)
My finished base took the weight of the rear wheels of a tipper which was dropping another 10 tons of base! :o (Which I was pretty surprised by)
12 stone bloke stands on your foot it hurts.
6 stone woman in stiletoes daintily steps on your foot (with the heel) is a killer. Doesnt arf make yer eyes water. :'( :'( :'(
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the problem small plates can cause in my experience is when turning they can move sand which has just been wackered. i prefer one with a reverse. we did bases that had to take 40 tons +