Here are a few things you could be asking us when you want us to give you a quote for your block paving, patio or landscaping / garden project, to give you an indication of possible questions you should be asking your groundwork / hard landscaping company here are some we thought about, feel free to ask us anything:
1 There are a number of points arising from your quote which I would appreciate your clarification. These are as follows
Does your quote include VAT
Are you based in Burnley in Lancashire? How long have you been here?
Does the removal of all existing paving, soil rubbish etc include any skip costs (if applicable)
Do we need to remove existing plants from adjacent flower beds
Please advise on method of work ie removal of existing and laying of new or part removal / part lay
Can you supply boarding for garden furniture / storage boxes etc to be placed on the grass if necessary
We would like to see the proposed slabs for colour (kandla grey or similar) and texture before agreeing the work
Please can you provide a couple of references for past work
Please advise of possible start date and time scale for the works (we hope to make a final decision I the next couple of weeks)
If any adjustment is required to the quote please advise accordingly
Can we pay a deposit and the final payment on completion
Can we get a surveyor to inspect the finished driveway / patio?
2 We need you to do the following for our patio in Bury, could you supply a quote?
To prepare both patio areas and walk way.
Dig out the area to required depths and lay type 1 hardcore.
Lay a weed surpressing membrane.
Lay patio slabs (indian sandstone) in our choice of colour
To install Aco drainage and recessed manhole cover
Pointed resin bound compound to stop weeds for low maintenance.
To install round circular steps and shed post to be replaced and finish area where flower bed was.
To replace 4x fence posts
3 We had your company come over for a quote a few weeks ago for a resin driveway and wooden replacement fencing. Would someone be able to get back to us regarding how much it would be for block paving instead of the resin please as we are looking to go ahead but just exploring the two options.
4 After speaking with yourselves this morning and having to change our patio stone grade and colour, we are now having the original round circular steps. Also the shed post is to be replaced as originally discussed and finish to area where flower bed was taken out. I think we’re there, just hoping it all looks fantastic when finished and that we love the slabs cause it’s totally different to what we origionally wanted. Thanks again for all your help.
5 This is a quote a competitor supplied us, what can you do to beat their quote?
Supply Materials, machinery and Labour for hard landscaping (patio slabbing) of rear garden. Grassed area and walkway all to be covered. Remove existing concrete base and all debris on site, flower beds and lawned area, dig down to base. Recessed cover for manhole. Install 4 fence posts where posts are erroded and concrete. Replace 1 erroded shed post. Dig base Level. Lay concrete base and compact.
6 Supply and fit Autumn Brown Indian sandstone patio slabs in a random / non-uniform pattern. Install a circular step to back door and conservatory door. All joints to be easy jointed colour chosen to best suit the patio slabs. Work area to be cleaned down. All tools, machinery and waste to be removed from site and left in a clean and tidy manner for any professional inspection.
7 Really hoping that we can book your company to have the patio at the back of our garden done. We were let down by a company who was recommended and had a good reputuation on Trustatrader, just cant believe it. We only went with him because of the recommendation, you just cant tell! When would you be available to do the work? Can come anytime for an inspection.
8 You gave me a price for the patio earlier this week for our Landscaping project, just to let you know we will be getting it done as soon as we have the money available which we expect to get by the end of next month.
9 We are looking for a company in Lancashire (Bury or Burnley) who can clean/pressure wash our old and stained garden patio and also repair and reseal the concrete around the slabs, can you come quote soon?
