Removal of old / installation of new gate and fence posts under existing block paving

[steveoelliott]

Hi Folks,

 

I am having a new gateway and fence provided free of charge by one of the big developers building adjacent to our plot. It's a long story but it was mutually beneficial for them to do this.

 

Per the attached picture, their groundwork's team removed the old fence posts and somehow managed to do this without disturbing the blocks. The post on the leftmost side of the picture was attached to the wall of our house with coach bolts.

 

They are going to come back to remove the existing concrete under these blocks, which will involve them removing blocks and digging / breaking out the old concrete. Then of course, they will need to install the new fence posts and make good the block paving.

 

Now, are there any gotchas I should be aware of with this / things I need to ensure they do... I do have water / power that runs under those blocks (middle of the gate) to the garage. I am informed by the site manager that they do this stuff regularly and have cat scanners etc.

 

Thanks in advance...

[Redbeard]

2 minutes ago, steveoelliott said:

they do this stuff regularly and have cat scanners etc.

 

 

Good!

 

3 minutes ago, steveoelliott said:

things I need to ensure they do.

 

Use the CAT scanner...

 

That may sound cynical but will the person pulled off another 'more important' job have the CAT scanner/ lack of rush which allows for finding cables in a fortunate rather than unfortunate way. Could you re-ask the Q in a way which invites a Yes or no answer? Will you be using a CAT scanner and/or other methods to ensure there'll be no damage to my cable/pipe runs? "Yes". Good! It makes the position clear should damage occur.

[steveoelliott]

11 minutes ago, Redbeard said:

 

Good!

 

 

Use the CAT scanner...

 

That may sound cynical but will the person pulled off another 'more important' job have the CAT scanner/ lack of rush which allows for finding cables in a fortunate rather than unfortunate way. Could you re-ask the Q in a way which invites a Yes or no answer? Will you be using a CAT scanner and/or other methods to ensure there'll be no damage to my cable/pipe runs? "Yes". Good! It makes the position clear should damage occur.

Bottom line is, I will be there before they start work and will make it clear that this MUST happen. In addition, I do have it in writing that they will make good any collateral damage. However, I'd rather not have the pain and stress!

[Alan Ambrose]

As they’ve done quite a neat job so far, yes I would be around and be prepared to interfere - but I wonder whether they’re just going to insert some new posts without disturbing anything. Is that possible?

[steveoelliott]

10 hours ago, Alan Ambrose said:

As they’ve done quite a neat job so far, yes I would be around and be prepared to interfere - but I wonder whether they’re just going to insert some new posts without disturbing anything. Is that possible?

I'm no expert but slotting posts in those gaps surely would never work without them being properly concreted in.

 

I also believe the posts they use are slightly bigger anyway.

[Conor]

How on earth did they remove the old posts? Just pull them out of the ground?! We're they not concreted in?

[steveoelliott]

22 hours ago, Conor said:

How on earth did they remove the old posts? Just pull them out of the ground?! We're they not concreted in?

I wondered that… there is concrete around them. Looks like they came clean out / just lifted out. I wasn’t there to watch that bit but the gate had been there for years prior.