Is This Excessive?

[ferlew]

Just had a quote for cleaning block paving.
Approx 5 car length drive, plus a hardstanding. Weeded machine cleaned, sanded, weed killer applied. Plus a couple of paving slab paths.
Chap is quoting £1100 - I have NO clue whether this is fair or not.
Any advice welcomed, thank you.

[New Judge]

How long did he say it would take him to complete the job and what, if any, materials are included?

[Canary42]

Seems a bit steep - even at an exorbitant rate of £50 per hour that's over 20 hours work which for a machine job sounds wrong. Try somewhere else.

[ferlew]

Team of 3 men, everything included.
At least one full day to complete.

[maggiebee]

I feel this is excessive, but my son does mine so it costs zilch. Maybe price around ferlew.

[melv16]

Get another quote. £1,100 seems a bit steep for a couple of days work. BTW, weedkiller takes at least 4 days to work and that's when the weeds are growing.

[gingejbee]

This is why three quotes is a good idea...then you can see if anyone's trying it on.

[Captain2]

Our little 'commune' of 7 houses had our block paving done this year (same spec that you mention); approx 8 x 3 cars area wise (to keep a comparison with yours) - £650.

Just be careful who's paying for the water. 'We' paid that ourselves.

[ferlew]

Oh dear, I felt that would be the case. He put a bit of pressure on for me to agree to the job doing within the next week.
I said I had to check my finances, and I didn't agree to anything yet.

[ferlew]

Taken your advice and booked a visit for a quote from Purple Wellies. Just looking around for others in my area.

[Canary42]

Oooh, expressing urgency is a very bad sign, typical of scammers.

[ferlew]

Flipping heck, thank you Canary.

[The Builder]

3 chaps @ £200 per day, plus bits and pieces.

I'd say Captain's figure was more like it Ferlew

[bednobs]

was it a 'proper' firm or travellers?

[ferlew]

Thank you Builder.
It was a proper firm Bednobs, I checked companies house. Although they have been operational only 4/5 years.

[Zacs-Master]

Yep I'd say £600/£700. 

[Ryzen]

Buy a  Karcher for £200 and ask a local handyman to do it.

[THECORBYLOON]

As a guide, Checkatrade.com gives a range of £8.50 and £12.50 per square metre. 

https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/cost-to-clean-a-driveway/

[ferlew]

Thank you :)

[ferlew]

When I received his quote by text, I returned the text saying I couldn't afford it. Then I had 2/3 more texts offering different deals, and asking what I COULD afford. Warning bells galore I think.
I just said I would leave it :(

[Toorak]

I think you have done the right thing Ferlew - it sounds very dodgy to me.