Help with building a large raised patio for less

[Tgeorge]

What is the cheapest/easiest way to build a 3m by 10m patio that stands 50cm to 60cm high on uneven clay ground? I plan to lay 600x900 or 600x600 paving slabs on top. I have planning approval for a raised patio.

Some options I have considered are a hardcore base with concrete poured on top, some sort of block and beam arrangement, height-adjustable patio pedestals on a lower concrete base.

Any ideas what will work out cheapest?

 

[Notch7]

It rather depends on access and Labour availability.

A full 6 wheel grab lorry can hold about 12 to 15 cubic metres and could deliver you MOT type 1, but you would a way to get it to position and compact it. I suppose concrete crush would be cheaper, but it’s not designed to consolidate so it might settle later

that would be cheaper than a block and beam floor.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Back in the day my dad built a patio base by smashing up bricks with a hammer. They were left after reforms elsewhere in the house.
It took ages but tools to hire were not as common in the 60's. he then consolidated the hardcore with a tree stump.

You could get some mates around, have MOT delivered in a big bag, and get a wheelbarrow/wheelie bin.
trundle the stuff around and use a hired compactor. Feed your mates with a. BBQ and some cans.

Probably easier if you've built a Brock/block base first as a retainer.

 

[Tgeorge]

@Tigercubrider @Notch7 - thanks, I will look into this option. Fill with MOT and top off with some concrete. The block retaining wall sounds good

 

[Tigercubrider]

don't forget that if you have air bricks in the way of the patio, run plastic drain pipe under the concrete to extend them

 

[cwhaley]

Back in the day my dad built a patio base by smashing up bricks with a hammer.

That's exactly what I did to lay my patio three years ago! Couldn't afford to be hiring tools or ordering MOT...

We'd knocked down a wall made of those horrible '70s pre-formed concrete blocks and I also had some old bricks from a BBQ. Spent a whole day breaking them up by hand, spreading them around and compacting with a tree branch/stump. Spread a tonne dry mix of sand and cement over the top and used a whacker plater to compact it all down. Another 2" of wet sand and cement on the top and the whole thing has never shifted.