Laying Pavers

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gcorgnet

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Topic # 113124 7-Jan-2013 13:34

Hi there geeks!

I am thinking of getting someone to lay pavers in my backyard. Yes, I know the kiwi way is to DIY it but I haven't got the tools/knowledge/confidence to undertake the whole thing myself...

The area would be about 20m2. Quite budget conscious and can help with some of the labour is that brings cost down.

Would anyone be able to recommend someone for this? I am obviously looking to get a few different quotes to see what I am getting into...

Thanks,

Guillaume

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Reply # 741060 7-Jan-2013 13:53

With the pavers, the base is very important. Get that wrong and the top will look like sht.

So there's a fair bit of work to make sure the area is clear, compacted and levelled/or with a slight fall if you don't want the water to pond etc. You usually form a base with the limestone mix as this compacts nicely and is then quite hard..

The laying part of it is actually pretty easy for the most part, then a bit of work to cut the pavers that need it.

Once it's down your can sweep the joint fill sand stuff into the cracks and then seal the pavers if you're feeling really keen.

It will cost a bit and it will weigh a bit. There's a fair bit of hard work involved, depending on the state of the site to start with and what type of pavers you'll be wanting to use.

Good luck with your job.

mattwnz

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Reply # 741063 7-Jan-2013 13:54

Bunnings should have guides that show you what to do, so you don't need to know already. Plus there are no restrictions on doing that sort of work. The only problem is probably cutting them, but you can hire tools. Youtubeis another source of info

tonyhughes

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Reply # 741074 7-Jan-2013 14:15

If you get someone else to do it, make sure you physically sight their previous work, and speak to the owners to ensure it is actually that persons work, and that they were happy with it.

Pavers can look brilliant for months, but if the base is done poorly, will then turn into a tragic mess, typically requiring complete rework.

Don't do a cashie, get a receipt, and keep an eye on things while it is being done.

I have seen some poor paving jobs done by "this guy down the pub - top bloke, cheap as chips, done heaps, can't go wrong".

Biggest problem is that you basically can't inspect the work when it's done.

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gcorgnet

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Reply # 741076 7-Jan-2013 14:20

Thanks Jaxson and mattwnz, but as I mentionned in my original post, DIY is not really something I want to do. I am aware of what the steps are and what is required but would prefer having someone do it for me.

tonyhughes, thanks, you make a great point about the importance of prep work/fundations and not being able to inspect once it is done...

scuwp

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Reply # 741077 7-Jan-2013 14:22

What area?

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gcorgnet

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Reply # 741080 7-Jan-2013 14:24

scuwp: What area?

Sorry, should have specified.
Area is Auckland (Birkdale)

Regs

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Reply # 741095 7-Jan-2013 14:47

if you don't have the tools, DIY can end up as expensive as hiring someone to do it. screed tool, pvc pipe (for screeding), compactor and/or concrete mixer hire, tile cutter etc.

try posting the job on builderscrack.co.nz and check the replies for prices etc.

I've seen a few jobs on hard fill and sand, and some of them look awful after a year or two. i'd choose laying on concrete base if it were me.

while not DIY'ing, you might still be able to save a few $$ on labour by excavating yourself...

if you do want to try DIY, mitre 10 have an excellent video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrceLhmdctY' target='_blank'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrceLhmdctY

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mattwnz

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Reply # 741097 7-Jan-2013 14:52

At a guess I would estimate it would cost at least 1k in labour, as that seem about the starting amount these days, and it isn't a huge area. 20 hours at $40 per hour possibly.

Handle9

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Reply # 741102 7-Jan-2013 15:02

I used Hi Lite paving to do my patio last year, it cost about $3k to do about 50m2. We had done all the earthworks so that was pavers, fill and labour - we had alot of base course as we scooped out a lot of junk to get down to clay. It's been stable as and 3 guys got it laid in a day. I'd recommend them.

Ymmv especially on cost depending on the paver you choose.

http://www.nocowboys.co.nz/businesses/hi-lite-paving/

gcorgnet

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Reply # 741112 7-Jan-2013 15:15

Regs: if you don't have the tools, DIY can end up as expensive as hiring someone to do it. screed tool, pvc pipe (for screeding), compactor and/or concrete mixer hire, tile cutter etc.

try posting the job on builderscrack.co.nz and check the replies for prices etc.

I've seen a few jobs on hard fill and sand, and some of them look awful after a year or two. i'd choose laying on concrete base if it were me.

while not DIY'ing, you might still be able to save a few $$ on labour by excavating yourself...

if you do want to try DIY, mitre 10 have an excellent video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrceLhmdctY

Thanks for your post. I had watched the great video you are referring to and as I became aware of the amount of tools needed (which I don't have/can't borrow) and the fact that getting done will (hopefully) give me a much better result, I decided DIY'ing wasn't the way to go on this one.

gcorgnet

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Reply # 741114 7-Jan-2013 15:15

Handle9: I used Hi Lite paving to do my patio last year, it cost about $3k to do about 50m2. We had done all the earthworks so that was pavers, fill and labour - we had alot of base course as we scooped out a lot of junk to get down to clay. It's been stable as and 3 guys got it laid in a day. I'd recommend them.

Ymmv especially on cost depending on the paver you choose.

http://www.nocowboys.co.nz/businesses/hi-lite-paving/

Thanks for that. Will definitely check then out!

reven

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Reply # 741118 7-Jan-2013 15:27

also looking at paving my house being built in auckland.

around 24m2, figure its going to cost around 3 to 5k going by builderscrack.co.nz. a deck would cost around 7k going by that website.

http://builderscrack.co.nz/cost-estimates/paving?j114=t&s=95&c130=203

watched the mitre10 DIY video, and was put off by all the work in it (something I would stuff up and end up looking terrible).

buildercrack type websites are quite good, have reviews of tradies etc.

gcorgnet

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Reply # 741125 7-Jan-2013 15:33

reven: also looking at paving my house being built in auckland.

around 24m2, figure its going to cost around 3 to 5k going by builderscrack.co.nz. a deck would cost around 7k going by that website.

http://builderscrack.co.nz/cost-estimates/paving?j114=t&s=95&c130=203

watched the mitre10 DIY video, and was put off by all the work in it (something I would stuff up and end up looking terrible).

buildercrack type websites are quite good, have reviews of tradies etc.

Looks like we are in the same situation then..

I also initially thought about a deck but then figured pavers might be cheaper and look quite good with the brick and tile house...

I wasn't expecting such a high price for either the deck or pavers. I guess I should've done my research on buildercrack...

Anyway, thanks for your contribution.

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Reply # 741335 7-Jan-2013 22:55

i just paved two areas at my house, a patio and a front path - around 15m2 total - with natural stone pavers from purestone.co.nz.

I'm going to *estimate* the costs as follows (i didnt keep an accurate record):

nb. stone pavers were laid on compacted hard fill with mortar
nb. also had lava rock shelf than needed breaking up

breaker/kango hire - $250
hard fill (gap 20) - $200
plate compactor hire - $80
pavers - $1500
cement (for mortar base) - $60
sand + gap7 (for mortar base)- $80
concrete mixer hire (2 days) - $120
125mm angle grinder inc diamond blade - $85 (lucky special)
mortar trowel/float - $20
level - $20

total materials/tools/hire = $2415

labour (more than average in my case due to the lava rock shelf):
excavating lava rock - 3 days
excavating soil, filling, compacting base course - 2 days
laying pavers - 2 days

total labour = 7 days = 56 hours = $2240 (@ $40/hr)

total job = $4655

this isnt a good breakdown of what you'd expect to pay a professional, but it might give you some insight into why it might cost $3K to $5K to pave an area....

by DIYing, i saved on the labour component but probably spent more on materials.

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mattwnz

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Reply # 741337 7-Jan-2013 23:02

Regs:

total labour = 7 days = 56 hours = $2240 (@ $40/hr)

I would expect pro to do it in probably half the time. Also larger pavers could mean a time saving, as less pavers to cut, and less tiles to lay.

Possibily the OP could look at laying concrete slabs instead of pavers, with a paving edge, as I think pavers are a lot more expensive. This is what I did. Concrete is quite a cheap material.

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