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Replies

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  Thermo November 21, 2012 at 1:46pm

  what exactly as it is in the video?

  by the way foundation for the wall...its a fact dry concrete is stronger than wet? REALLY???? 5 spot is acceptable? REALLY??
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  Justin Hemming November 21, 2012 at 2:20pm

  Yes, job as a whole-

  -remove old patio/wall

  -lay and level sub-base

  -build wall

  -lay and point patio

  I think me and my colleague would estimate a day to remove the old patio and barrow in sub-base, two days (1 man laying) to lay the patio and a day to build the wall.

  I guess I'm trying to get an idea of how much m2 more experienced people can lay in a day.

  Many thanks

  Justin
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  Simon Smith November 21, 2012 at 5:52pm

  With mortar delivered and flags stacked at the edge of the work area I laid 23m in one day of random 4 sized sandstone a few months ago. That was just me on my own, barrowing the mortar from tubs about 40 metres away on the road.

  That was a rectangle with no cuts and all sub-base and lines were set up the previous evening.

  I am now totally sold on getting mortar delivered. IT was 100 quid + VAT for 1 cubic metre but as you can see it makes the paving fly down. Only problem is you need to stay off for about 2 days before pointing because of the retarder in it. The sand and cement needed to make the same quantity would cost about 80 quid so the time saved makes its a no brainer.
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  Justin Hemming November 21, 2012 at 7:36pm

  Thanks everyone,

  23m, thats good going!
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  Simon Smith November 21, 2012 at 10:23pm

  Its so quick when your totally set up and ready to lay. Whilst string lines are more flexible i tend to set up some steel bars the day before (same ones i use for screed rails in block paving)

  I set these to the finished surface height complete with correct falls and effectively split the area into 3m bays. Then simply use a long 3.5m straight edge from the freshly laid slabs over onto the next rail. I find the 20 mins spent setting it up saves time both in terms of moving string lines about and the reduced checking with the level needed. Also they are also not likely to get knocked about like a string line.
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  Steve London Stone November 22, 2012 at 9:20am

  I recently laid a patio at my house.  I laid 15m2 in one day and that included mixing, cutting and laying on my own.  I would agree with Simon that the most important bit is setting out the string lines properly.  If you have good string lines its hard to go wrong.  I think the Marshalls video is really good.  I dont agree with the comment about spot bedding but if you back a few years, spot bedding was standard practice in the landscaping trade.  Luckily we have moved on now
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  Justin Hemming November 22, 2012 at 12:24pm

  Hi all,

  I emailed Marshalls to ask how long the job took.  Anthony Marshall replied and said 7 days for two men.

  cheers

  Justin
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  Thermo November 22, 2012 at 1:48pm

  id probably price it for 3-4 days. 2 guys to clear and get the foundation in on day one

  walling day 2 and getting all set up for laying

  lay out the main area on day 3

  cuts and point on day 4

  we normally use a 3 man team for laying. one knocks up constantly so theres always a barrow of pug, i lay and the other guy runs pug and helps lay. we can get around 40m2 a day done on most types of paving on that method. get everything set up right and you can just fly getting the paving down.
• PRO

  Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd November 22, 2012 at 9:33pm

  
  It's all about getting mortar delivered. We have used mix-a-mate in the past and the cost is the same as buying the raw materials but you don't have to pay shut to be on the mixer all day.
  In my view its the best trick ever. Some companies like Raymond Brown will also sell screed or concrete almost by the barrow load if you collect it. Very handy for some jobs.
  
  Simon Smith said:

  With mortar delivered and flags stacked at the edge of the work area I laid 23m in one day of random 4 sized sandstone a few months ago. That was just me on my own, barrowing the mortar from tubs about 40 metres away on the road.

  That was a rectangle with no cuts and all sub-base and lines were set up the previous evening.

  I am now totally sold on getting mortar delivered. IT was 100 quid + VAT for 1 cubic metre but as you can see it makes the paving fly down. Only problem is you need to stay off for about 2 days before pointing because of the retarder in it. The sand and cement needed to make the same quantity would cost about 80 quid so the time saved makes its a no brainer.
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  Thermo November 22, 2012 at 9:37pm

  we do for larger concrete jobs, but i much prefer to have my own knocked up for mortar. Its a system we find works really well and suits us.