How much Drive/Patio work is there?

[bankrupted]

I am trying to organise the initial base preparation work on a large drive/front garden.

Seems unless I give the whole job to the contractor they seem to be not interested and they can't be bothered to turn up to view the site or don't get back to me after the initial phone call.

I was under the impression that there wasn't a lot of work around. Was I wrong?

 

[r896neo]

Remember this is by far the most busy time for landscapers but there is no excuse for not coming when you say you will. Most likely you will find you pay an inflated price for part of a job like this as people will make a little money on supply of blocks and materials whereas there isn't exactly a large margin to be made in 10t of hardcore.

Which section do you want to do yourself the laying?

 

[bankrupted]

Yeah I am slowly realising as Spring is now here work must have picked up.

I was looking for the excavation and then sub-base preparation (area is over 100m2)

I'll do everything else (blocks and gravel)

 

[r896neo]

It's only as easter approaches most people think its time to start getting that patio or driveway or deck done and therefore it can be bonkers. I have quotes coming out of my ears and liasing with them all can be taxing.

As i said though just not turning up is unacceptable but at the busy times of year people are often turning down work and cherry-picking the more profitable projects rather than taking whats going as may be the case in february.

Unfortuantely yours is one of the much less profitable ones. Your best approach is to be as up-front as possible on the first phonecall stating the area and what needs done exactly. Hopefully that might weed out timewasters. You may be better off going to a small builder or groundworks firm with more plant who can be in and out really quick.

Good luck

 

[bankrupted]

r896neo,

Cheers for the replies. I can't blame any contractor for picking the most profitable jobs I would do the same.

I think my mistake is that I have been approaching landscapers/block pavers etc as opposed to groundwork contractors.

I am always upfront about what I want. Just annoys me when I specify EXACTLY what I want on intial contact, further calls then to arrange site visit, and then no show. Doesn't even return my call when I leave message to say are they still coming.

My trouble is I am too honest. I would much prefer to be told that my requirement doesn't fit their service than to string me a long to a fake site visit.