Tarmac driveway ? any tips please !

Where does the water drain off to Robin? (i.e. new planning permission conditions 2008 etc.).

Do the preping yourself up to finished, consolidated type-one surface.

Do the preping before you get quotes from the tarmacers as they won't be very pleased if you say there is 100mm of the black stuff to put down when there is actually 120mm etc. You will probably find that they want do do the final bit of sub-base prep themselves to achieve a nice sealed surface using a whopping big roller. Get the Customer to pay the tarmac sub-contracor directly.

Don't approach the really big tarmac companies as they won't be interested. Be wary of the medium sized local companies (they will bamboozle you with technical speak and try and rip you off). I think you may find that you have little choice but to approach the tarmacers who do a bit of tree surgery too (if you get my drift).

Sourcing a tarmacer can be a bit of a nightmare unless you are doing big projects and using the likes of COLAS etc.

I definately would not recommend trying to do it yourself for all the reasons mentioned previous.

Replies

Graeme @ BGS December 6, 2009 at 4:05pm

Stuart Marler said:
what would you do with the left overs?

Knock on a few doors and offer to tarmac their drives LOL

But seriously sounds like a good job to sub out as Stuart has suggested.
Kieran Ray December 6, 2009 at 4:06pm

As has been said do the ground works and sub out, If you were closer to me I know 2 or 3 good tarmacers, I know many more bad ones too. The largest things I do are like Paul odd patching and I use cold lay for that so a bit less mess and never any more that 1m2.
Lawncare-4u.co.uk December 6, 2009 at 5:06pm

good tips for red diesel on tools.
i cant find the binding stuff.

i tried 2 people to sub to but no interest.
its only about 2-3 car spaces on a semi-circle.

he said he wants to loose quality to gain a bigger area (im not too happy , but up to him)

i have 2 x ifors with tail-ramps and sheeting . its about 15 miles /30 mins away - will it go cold??

can get roller from gap plant hire ( on my account) its a pastor from church /nice guy.

quote went up from £2200 to £2700 as its bigger area than original size.
Lawncare-4u.co.uk December 6, 2009 at 6:39pm

You will probably want to lightly spray the trailer bed with derv then scrub out with degreaser at the end of the job.

good idea. yes it will be trouble ,work and lots of organisation and cleaning ! i like a challenge :-(
Laurel December 6, 2009 at 7:12pm

I would seriously suggest subbing this one out Robin. Laying Tarmac isn't rocket science, but getting it right takes experience and skill. If it goes wrong you'll be breaking the whole lot up and starting again.
David Beasley Garden Design December 6, 2009 at 7:18pm

Where does the water drain off to Robin? (i.e. new planning permission conditions 2008 etc.).

Do the preping yourself up to finished, consolidated type-one surface.

Do the preping before you get quotes from the tarmacers as they won't be very pleased if you say there is 100mm of the black stuff to put down when there is actually 120mm etc. You will probably find that they want do do the final bit of sub-base prep themselves to achieve a nice sealed surface using a whopping big roller. Get the Customer to pay the tarmac sub-contracor directly.

Don't approach the really big tarmac companies as they won't be interested. Be wary of the medium sized local companies (they will bamboozle you with technical speak and try and rip you off). I think you may find that you have little choice but to approach the tarmacers who do a bit of tree surgery too (if you get my drift).

Sourcing a tarmacer can be a bit of a nightmare unless you are doing big projects and using the likes of COLAS etc.

I definately would not recommend trying to do it yourself for all the reasons mentioned previous.
Geoff Norfolk December 6, 2009 at 7:32pm

Bit like plastering a wall I'd imagine.......... The experts make that look so easy but when you try it yourself, its a nightmare...... so I discovered at my cost!! I always have tremendous admiration for the tarmacers on the recent M1 widening where they produced mile upon mile of faultless work........ incredible when you think that everything looks so chaotic!

Laurel said:
I would seriously suggest subbing this one out Robin. Laying Tarmac isn't rocket science, but getting it right takes experience and skill. If it goes wrong you'll be breaking the whole lot up and starting again.
Lawncare-4u.co.uk December 6, 2009 at 7:32pm

Where does the water drain off to Robin? (i.e. new planning permission conditions 2008 etc.).

backwards away from road/drive/houses into natural lawn/woods. otherwise i dont think id touch it at all !

thanks for all comments guys.