So you think this estimate is too much?

[Blodauwedd]

Hello . I recently had a quote for extending my front path to meet the pavement with maybe block paving ? The quote was a lot more than I thought it would be . I’m not sure what a fair price would be for the work ? Would anyone be able to advise me ? I have attached a picture . I got quoted 4 thousand pounds to do the work

Can you source the same paving stones? It’s going to look odd otherwise. Four thousand pounds for that little area is highway robbery. I’d say you’re being taken for a ride. Get a few more quotes.

That’s a really narrow area for block paving as you’d usually have edging stones leaving a small area for the pattern. Block paving can be hard to maintain too and is often very slippy when icy.
I’d turn the paved area into a square/ rectangle instead of an L shape instead just in the same area and access the pavement via the drive.
I know that’s not what you asked and you might need a path for a reason.
You should be able to google a price for block paving per square metre fitted in your local aarea. As PP says the quote sounds ridiculous.

For an area that small, I'd do it yourself. It isn't that difficult.

Another vote for trying it yourself! That quote is a total rip off

I would have someone dig it out, lay a membrane and gravel it, it's much better for the environment.

£4000 that honestly sounds like daylight robbery for such a small area.
Definitely get some more quotes and take it from there.

We had stepping stones laid in the gravel which saves tracking gravel into the house. With membrane, gravel, stonesand labour I would expect quotes under £1k.

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I read it (incorrectly) as A thousand pounds & thought they were having a laugh. Four Thousand 🤣🤣🤣no fucking way.

@HappiestSleeping @MidnightScroller
it's weird becoming disabled overnight. Some comments really upset me 'just do if yourself it's easy' no it's not. Not for everyone! But I'm sure I would have been just as glib beforehand, so I TRY not to 'bite' & I agree you can't put a 'disclaimer' on every post. But maybe people could just. E a little more mindful that things aren't 'easy' (or indeed possible) for many posters.

@PrincessofWells but not as practical for someone who might need a mobility aid.

@Blodauwedd if it's a 'new build' & they're still building in the site. Quite often they'll help you with 'spares & labour' if you approach the workmen themselves.

or an app called 'Nextdoor' is really good for local trades recommendations/handy people.

Point taken, although I broke my neck and smashed my ribcage in a car accident when I was younger, so also find things difficult, especially as I age. I have found it impossible to find reliable tradespeople, so am stuck between what I am physically capable of doing, and the sub standard, extortionately priced dross provided by tradespeople, if they even turn up to do it.

Life is a challenge for sure.

Id get rid if the lawn entirely and have a Beth Chatto type gravel garden with a pathway. Maybe ask a landscaper. We are paving a small area similar size materials are £250. Labour would be about £600.

Yes it’s excessive - can you get some more quotes?

That sounds way too expensive. Keep getting quotes, try builders and landscapes. Sometimes you get people who chuck out a ridiculous quote because they can't really he bothered with such a small job (to them).

sorry to hear about your accident!

It is indeed a challenge. I was mid renovating my home when I became disabled by the stroke, literally overnight.

not having much luck with trades doing things as I would have, but as I can't anymore... it's hard.

Each to their own, but I'd much rather keep the grass & just extend the path a little if necessary.

Personally I’d complete both strips or it will look odd.

I don't understand what you mean? She just wants the path to extend to the pavement & leave the little off shoot to the driveway as it is (I think anyway)

are you leaving that small strip of lawn on the left ? That would look odd and be a bugger to mow. You could make it a little flower bed and plant some lavender or wildflowers .

It sucks. Sorry to hear about your stroke also.

I am not sure which way the pendulum has swung. Is it people who have found the job market hard and are doing the best they can to make ends meet, or is it people who just do the minimum required and realise they can charge what they like? Or a mixture of both. It was bad before covid, but these days it is impossible.

With the exception of one thing, everything I've paid other people to do has broken, and everything I've done myself is fine (or at least I accept the deficiencies because it was free). I'll have been here ten years this year and it still isn't finished. I knew it would be a long game, but wasn't quite expecting it to be this long.

The is a FB group called Nightmare Customers where people complain about paying reputable builders who don’t just turn up take cash but actually pay taxes/insurance/(increased) NI/ employee sick days/holidays/paternity pay/bereavement pay/training/ pension/heath and safety.
People have a very feudal attitude towards tradesmen - think of all the benefits you expect from your job - tradesmen deserve those too!

Yeah do it yourself. You could do it in a day.

I’m not sure what’s more insane, the quote or the fact you are even entertaining it.

Not sure what you are trying to achieve here. If it’s a better walkway then block paving is slippy and needs regular pressure washing. Gravel is better for being no slip but not so good if you wear 👠 or use crutches. Unless you want more parking it seems an unnecessary expense. Spend money on the back garden and enjoy it.

Thank you all for your messages . I am due to get some more quotes next week . I need the path extended as all delivery drivers etc walk across the grass and in winter it gets all muddy .
my health problems means that I can’t do it myself but you have put some great suggestions on here regarding gravel and plants . I will ask the next tradesperson to quote for gravel as well .
thank you you have been so helpful 👍🏻😁

We are looking at putting in a sloped pathway in our back garden for our dds to be able to safely get into our back garden, either using wheelchairs or crutches. We are going to use bonded resin and are planning on doing it ourselves, but there are companies who do it too. Obviously at a price, but I can't imagine it would be more than what you've had quoted for that tiny bit of paving! I can only imagine they didn't want the work so overpriced for it.

They don't want to do the job. When you get the other quotes you'll likely get a better idea about about how much this will cost in your area.