Sub-base for porcelain patio?

[Davey]

Hello,

We’re getting quotes to have a new patio laid and SWMBO has chosen 900 x 600 x 20mm thick R11 porcelain slabs.

One of the quotes states excavation to a minimum depth of 170 mm, with a sub-base of 80-100mm compacted hardcore scalping sand and then 50-70mm of concrete.

Does this sound reasonable? It’s for foot traffic only (no vehicles) but we’re on heavy clay soil and I don’t want to risk any movement.

The quote also states the use of EasyPrime and FlowPoint which appear to be suitable products?

Is there anything else we should be aware of and/or ask the installer?

Thank you

Davey

 

[robinbanks]

Does this sound reasonable?

Does to me!

 

[Cheslea2010]

Yes that will be fine. Would insist on 100mm sub base

 

[Davey]

Sorry for the delay in responding but thank you both for your replies.

Can I ask another related question? The quotes we’ve got are around £20,000 inc VAT.

What payment terms should we expect for a job of this size? One contractor is asking for 10% up front whereas another hasn’t mentioned anything.

I assumed contractors would have credit accounts with their suppliers? Is it usual to pay landscapers a deposit before work starts?

Thank you.

 

[Cheslea2010]

Don't pay a penny until the job is done to your satisfaction. Get all quotations in writing and ensure any extras that are discussed are also documented.

 

[Nintendofan]

Sorry for the delay in responding but thank you both for your replies.

Can I ask another related question? The quotes we’ve got are around £20,000 inc VAT.

What payment terms should we expect for a job of this size? One contractor is asking for 10% up front whereas another hasn’t mentioned anything.

I assumed contractors would have credit accounts with their suppliers? Is it usual to pay landscapers a deposit before work starts?

Thank you.

what drainage is being fitted as porcelain is not permeable so there'll be a lot of surface water to dispose off somewhere

 

[Davey]

Thanks Cheslea, we’re getting quotes now although one of these has requested a deposit and another wants staged payments.

I know businesses have to watch their cash flow but I’m worried about paying upfront and not having any comeback if there are any problems.

The porcelain will replace an existing concrete slabs that have seen much better days! Drainage is to flowers beds at one side and a gulley leading to a soakaway at the other.

 

[Nintendofan]

The porcelain will replace an existing concrete slabs that have seen much better days! Drainage is to flowers beds at one side and a gulley leading to a soakaway at the other.

so you'll need to make sure the jointing compound is non permeable and there's quite a large noticeable fall on the porcelain, my installer put drainage under the porcelain and used a permeable joint instead as the fall was less noticeable.

 

[Cheslea2010]

Thanks Cheslea, we’re getting quotes now although one of these has requested a deposit and another wants staged payments.

I know businesses have to watch their cash flow but I’m worried about paying upfront and not having any comeback if there are any problems.

The porcelain will replace an existing concrete slabs that have seen much better days! Drainage is to flowers beds at one side and a gulley leading to a soakaway at the other.

Staged payment is a different thing altogether. It is totally acceptable to stage payments, but ensure you pay nothing before any work is completed. Ensure that at each agreed stage you are satisfied with the work that has been completed so far. No payments should be made in advance of any work being done. Asking for money for materials upfront is also a no-no. You either pay for the materials yourself so you have legal ownership, or, the contractor does, and legal ownership of said materials becomes yours at the end of the job when you are happy and the contractor has been paid in full.

 

[Davey]

Staged payment is a different thing altogether. It is totally acceptable to stage payments, but ensure you pay nothing before any work is completed. Ensure that at each agreed stage you are satisfied with the work that has been completed so far. No payments should be made in advance of any work being done. Asking for money for materials upfront is also a no-no. You either pay for the materials yourself so you have legal ownership, or, the contractor does, and legal ownership of said materials becomes yours at the end of the job when you are happy and the contractor has been paid in full.

That makes perfect sense - thank you!

 

[Tetrarch]

Sorry for the delay in responding but thank you both for your replies.

Can I ask another related question? The quotes we’ve got are around £20,000 inc VAT.

What payment terms should we expect for a job of this size? One contractor is asking for 10% up front whereas another hasn’t mentioned anything.

I assumed contractors would have credit accounts with their suppliers? Is it usual to pay landscapers a deposit before work starts?

Thank you.

£20K rather depends on how large the area is. Mine is 150 sq m. I'm paying

£4,300 for the slabs
£450 for the slurry,
£400 for 8 calender days digger hire
£800 for Type1 (likely another £300-400)

I'm paying a day rate for the labour - so far £3,600 with likely another £3K to come

 

[Davey]

Thanks Tetrarch,

The quotes are coming in around £10k plus VAT for the labour - plus materials, grouting, waste removal, etc.

I should have said, there is no access for a digger and this includes rebuilding two flights of brick steps and a small retaining wall. The quotes are from local businesses who have good reputations in the local area.

We’re not definitely looking for the cheapest quote and we’re more interested in the job being done correctly and having some come back in case of problems further down the line.