Re-surfacing of rear garden with paving slabs.
Back in September, I decided to have two thirds of the rear garden's [approx. 50sq.ft.] earth removed to a depth of 6" then have hardcore laid with paving slabs added on top, although these did need to be level with existing paving slabs. Other work would include; adding several gravel boards to boundary fences, re-positioning of a railway sleeper to support earth around newly planted trees mentioned below, putting in place a 'french' drain, the supply and planting of 7 Photinia trees, removing soil up to 2" in depth from around the driveway borders and adding a polythene type Membrane, covered with 20mm shingle.
I chose Levelscape for the project as at the estimate stage they appeared more experienced and knowledgeable than others who had tendered.
The owner of levelscape was assisted by 2 young workmen. Work started in October, albeit amid terrible weather conditions [wind & heavy rain], earth was removed with an Excavator type digger, hardcore added and wacked down, just as the first slab was to be laid, it was bought to my attention the the business owner had ordered the wrong size slabs [250 x 250mm instead of 245 x 245mm] I had several options then to choose from; either wait for the slabs to be returned [250mm] and order the new slabs [245mm] if that size was at all still available, and re-book Levelscape, or have the larger slabs fitted now and separated from the existing slabs by a fill-in gap, which I thought looked pretty awful. I chose neither, instead deciding to have the remaining third of the garden lifted, hardcore laid, and slabbed to match in with the slabs already ordered [250mm], at least then they would match in size and be level, though of course this did increase the price considerably. Work could for now however be continued, the weather deteriorated even more, the heavy rain turning to a solid downpour. I asked the question; 'Could we not cover the work they had done, and resume at a later date or at least until the rain eases', back came the reply, 'If I don't work I don't get paid', adding 'besides I have other clients booked for next week'. The owner and his 2 workmen continued the work wearing oilskins and working in heavy rain. Each slab laid was coated with a primer on it's underside, to help with adhesion.
I have sinced learnt that while a light shower is fine when laying slabs, heavy rain is not, as it severly weakens the mortar mix, in that the rain washes the cement out of the mix. Work continued in the bad weather until all slabs that could be laid were down, more slabs were ordered then to complete the slab laying on the final third of the garden at a later date. Several weeks later they returned, work began in lifting the existing slabs and digging out what hardcore lay beneath. New hardcore applied and wacked down, the slab laying continued, again in terrible adverse weather conditions. Much of this week was taken up with; child minding duties [half-term] business meetings, and car theory tests, never knew who was going to turn up, the border membrane was laid by the 2 young workmen, I had asked at the estimate stage that this be securely fastened, however the membrane was not pegged or trenched and relies completely on the 2" of 20mm shingle on top of it to keep in place. So 2 months plus on from completion, I pleased to say there appears to be no movement or looseness between the slabs, the driveway border membrane is at present still in place, and the Photinia trees look beautiful. I can only think that time will tell if this project was worth it's 12.7k outlay. Thank you for reading.