I'm currently getting quotes for a Tarmac driveway, approximately 100m long. A local company just informed me they can quote but their current waiting list for work to be done is over 12 months ! I thought money was tight and getting such work done would be easy. Is this normal?

the first contractor I tried to get my drive done kept me waiting 2 months with no hint of when they might be able to do it.  the second one did it in less than a week.

I think there are mixed results for different trades in different areas of the country...

 

Its honest of them to let you know and not keep you hanging. They may be a big company that is involved in large contract works, although I don't think HS2 is going that far!!!

Try some others.  I would try the Asphalt batching plants for company names. They will know who is working in your area.

 

Good luck

M

 

Edited November 30, 20223 yr by Marvin
spelling error

Well, just round the corner from you (Lancashire) , I'm hearing that customers are pulling the plug on building projects if they have arranged finance  recently on a variable rate. 

 

A good chippy near us is talking about the end of next year before he can come: and no drop off in sight. Another local builder was glad to be able to come and work for us replacing the chimney on our cottage as soon as the weather improves next Spring.

 

Currently the  picture is variable, but the trend is worsening.

All of this is word-of-mouth: to be taken with a pinch of salt, therefore.

15 minutes ago, Triassic said:

I'm currently getting quotes for a Tarmac driveway, approximately 100m long. A local company just informed me they can quote but their current waiting list for work to be done is over 12 months ! I thought money was tight and getting such work done would be easy. Is this normal?

If you don't mind, can you tell me what sort of prices you are getting for that kind of work?

6 hours ago, Ralph said:

If you don't mind, can you tell me what sort of prices you are getting for that kind of work?

I would, if I could get someone to visit site to price for the job!!

I paid £5900 for 105 square metres of driveway to be surfaced. The sub base was already down, levelled and whackered and all drainage and edging in place.

 

I thought that was a lot, but all 3 contractors I saw quoted within a few ££ of each other.

 

That's £56 per square metre.

 

If that scales up, a 100 metre long 3 metre wide drive would be £16,857

1 minute ago, ProDave said:

That's £56 per square metre.

 

But how thick? The labour doesn't change much but the tarmac does.

 

A phone call to the tarmac supplier will get you a guide cost per tonne, then multiply by 2 for the £/m3.

 

A man called Mr Lee once had some spare tarmac and offered a 25mm dressing which I accepted. I supervised so actually got 20mm after his very gentle rolling. He ran out of stuff, and I was cursed.

 

What construction do you gave in mind?

The sub base is important too.

 

Another option is to find a small groundworker who has the skill but doesn't like spending so much on material.

Then you buy, and save markup

 

NB it isn't easy and is hard work, so not for beginners. A Boss, a skilled man on the rake and some muscle for barrows.

Mine was 85mm thick, and they ran out and had to get some more so probably ended up a bit over that thickness.

 

It took 3 of them working their socks off best part of a day to lay my 105 square metres.

I have just had 160m2 laid in Ambleside. We installed all the edging and drains, and the hardcore base. We had 120mm on the bits that vehicles travel on, and 60-80 on the pathways. Having the prep spot on saves a lot of time. We also marked all the levels and falls on the edgings. I waited a week for a site visit and two weeks after that to have it laid. Can forward his details if you want?

1 hour ago, Beckside said:

160m2 laid in Ambleside. That is very thick for a private driveway. Mine is about 40mm, which is mean but pretty good after 15 years.

 

The vehicle that uses it is over four tons. Plus we had to have two trucks to deliver as one was not enough. So the excess was used where the heavy vehicle travels.

On 30/11/2022 at 10:51, Triassic said:

I'm currently getting quotes for a Tarmac driveway, approximately 100m long. A local company just informed me they can quote but their current waiting list for work to be done is over 12 months ! I thought money was tight and getting such work done would be easy. Is this normal?

Paving is blessed will rogues and thieves.

 

If you want post your specification and make sure you give details of the sub base and ground below if you know this. Also let us know what your design axle load is. Normally 5 tonnes for domestic at the entrance.

 

A drive at 100m long is going to cost a bit so there may be other ways of doing it. You could burn your way through a lot of cash for no real benefit.

 

Do you have any planning / BC caveats re fire engine access and so on?

Luckily the driveway is existing and the limestone base is solid, in a few areas the bedrock sticks out! I’ve also found a tarmac company working in the village at the moment and asking around neighbours the owner is well regarded locally. I’ve asked him to quote, but he did warn me it could be between six and eight months before he could do the work. 

21 hours ago, Triassic said:

the driveway is existing and the limestone base is solid, in a few areas the bedrock sticks out

It sounds as if you have all the strength you need, and the tarmac is only for tidiness and smoothness. So the tarmac can be much thinner.

100m x 3?= 300m2 

× 150mm = 45m3

X 2tonnes x £100(?) 

£9,000 for the material.

You should at least half that and also save on sundries and labour.