Rough Price For Concreting A Path

[CW1]

Hi,
Have asked a few people to quote to lay a concrete path about 45' long, 7' wide. Quote will likely include taking up a few slabs & some stones that currently cover the area. The one I've had so far seems mighty expensive, wondered if anyone could give me a ballpark figure.
Thanks

[The Builder]

Materials would be around £700. Maybe half that if a Ready-Mix truck is used.

Labour for two guys, say around £800-900

But, any concrete is only as good as the sub-base, otherwise it will crack, even with no vehicular traffic on it.
You may need some rammed hardcore first. That's something I can't tell from here.

Also, access for materials. Add even more if it has to be barrowed in from the road.

Sorry I can't be more precise without looking at it.

[Buenchico]

This tool looks useful:
http://www.whatprice.co.uk/costs/paths-pavings-price-calculator.php
I've just tried it myself, to check that it's not one of those sites which demands your email address, so that you can be sent a quote. (It doesn't, and the results look realistic to me).

[CW1]

Thanks both.
Well, going by The Builders estimate (path would go to the road, not sure about the base but don't think they'd add anything else, if they did it wouldn't be of any great depth) & that calculator (thanks Buenchico), the quote I've had is pretty good - wow !

[The Builder]

It's a pity that Chris's WhatPrice doesn't include a concrete option, otherwise it would be very useful as a "check price".

Don't forget, concrete needs temporary shuttering. That takes time.

[The Builder]

What thickness of concrete are they suggesting?

[CW1]

They haven't told me Buenchico, but it needs to just be slightly below some concrete that's already there so would say maybe a touch more than the depth of a 300mmx300mm paving slab.

[The Builder]

Thanks, CW.

That's only 40mm though. Maybe passable for a narrow path, but 7' wide?

[CW1]

Have just re measured it … it's actually 5 feet wide ! *doh*
40mm looks about right but thinking this quote isn't so good after all :(

[The Builder]

Ok, so we need to go about this another way.
Given a solid base, 50mm thickness would just do.
But, even 5' is too wide. It will crack. I would do it by shuttering (2x1 batten) around the edges
AND running a settlement/expansion joint down the middle to break it into two 2'6" wide strips.
Then, break the 45' into 5' lengths (9 of them). All of this with simple 2x1 batten. Nothing fancy.

Breaking the whole thing up into smaller "slabs" will just about eliminate any chance of it all breaking up.

I'm sorry if I appear to be making a lot of this, but there are "paths" and there are "paths". So easy to skimp.

[The Builder]

Also, materials cost would now be about £350 if knocked up on site.

[CW1]

Thanks for going to that trouble :) They did mention battens (one said 1" gravel boards attached to fence posts, which would come away if a post ever had to be replaced - not my fence), but only along the edges.

Well, the quotes are s'posed to include replacing steps in decking for composite decking too & it's taking an age to get quotes. Of 4 people that came round all I've had is 1 quote, just for the path, so looking unlikely I'll be using any of them so ... when I start over, I know what questions to ask ;)

[The Builder]

Good for you CW. Knowing what to ask for is 90% of the battle with tradesmen.

Paths, like tiling and decorating, are not always the simple job that some so-called tradesmen might assume.

I wish you luck.