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  Paul McNulty April 8, 2012 at 10:42pm

  One thing to consider is to check out what the contractor can supply and double-check every delivery. You'd not believe how often you quote for top-grade topsoil, for example, and the contractor supplies a cheaper alternative. I'd certainly want to know the source of the soil going in vegetable beds.

  When I project-managed larger contracts I specified one local supplier, and the grade of materials I was charging the client for. They would soon ring me if the order sounded wrong to them, and it was almost routine for the contractor to be trying to pull a fast one somewhere.
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  Glenn Ellis April 8, 2012 at 10:50pm

  
  
  Paul McNulty said:

  One thing to consider is to check out what the contractor can supply and double-check every delivery. You'd not believe how often you quote for top-grade topsoil, for example, and the contractor supplies a cheaper alternative. I'd certainly want to know the source of the soil going in vegetable beds.

  When I project-managed larger contracts I specified one local supplier, and the grade of materials I was charging the client for. They would soon ring me if the order sounded wrong to them, and it was almost routine for the contractor to be trying to pull a fast one somewhere.
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  Glenn Ellis April 8, 2012 at 10:50pm

  Thanks Paul, I will watch out.
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  Glenn Ellis April 10, 2012 at 10:34pm

  
  
  Paul @ PPCH Services said:

  I agree with Paul here, the cost and quality of top soil is something with big variables, although from experience not always exclusively correlated to price.

  Ive paid £35 a ton for really high quality screened topsoil and had soil at £65 a ton that I rejected due to bindweed roots!

  Not every contractor will be trying to screw you, they may well have better supplier knowledge, the key is to maintain good communication.

  Personally when planting although I often import some topsoil, of more importance to my mind is to include in the specification  bonemeal in each planting hole or mycrorrhiza granules.

   
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  Glenn Ellis April 10, 2012 at 10:35pm

  Thank you, I have a site visit with the contractor tomorrow so I will ask him what topsoil/compost he is planning to use.
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  Glenn Ellis April 10, 2012 at 10:36pm

  
  
  Brigitt Stevenson said:

  Hello Glenn,

  The Soil is the most important, needs to be weed-free and full of nutrients, compost based is great, especially for a veggie garden..

  You have to remember that plant roots feed on soil and deprive it from it's nutrients constantly, so this is where a godd compost mixed soil is extra important..

  Good Luck, take some pics of the before and after :)))
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  Glenn Ellis April 10, 2012 at 10:37pm

  Thank you for the tips Brigitt, I plan to take lots and lots of photos.
  
  Glenn Ellis said:

  
  
  Brigitt Stevenson said:

  Hello Glenn,

  The Soil is the most important, needs to be weed-free and full of nutrients, compost based is great, especially for a veggie garden..

  You have to remember that plant roots feed on soil and deprive it from it's nutrients constantly, so this is where a godd compost mixed soil is extra important..

  Good Luck, take some pics of the before and after :)))