Retaining wall quote sense check pleasethankyou

Retaining wall quote sense check pleasethankyou

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Sporky

Original Poster:

6,557 posts

67 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
Afternoon all. Just had a quote from a reputable local builder (in that he's done work for both immediate neighbours, who are both very happy, and a house round the corner who rate him) to replace a not-actually-a-retaining-wall with a retaining wall, and wanted to check it was about right. In Hampshire as I know there's some regional variation.





So, pull out all the wooden staves (which are just pressed into the soil!), build a block/concrete retaining wall that's level from the path all the way down and round behind that bush. New shingle path with granite edge blocks (from the current little ramp) from the front door to where it ends currently. Add weep holes, and then a decorative stone wall in front. All has to be hand dug because that big bugger of a pine has a TPO (this has all been OK'd by the tree officer).

It's about 6m long to the curve, and they're also building up the garden by about 60cm at the front so it's near level. This is the stone they'll be matching (or close to - the bush will hide the transition). Yes, I know the wall needs a bit of a clean.



The green thing is a gas regulator, in case you were wondering.

And the view from near the front door - you can probably see we're on a fairly steep hill.



He's quoted £5100 including all materials and disposal of all waste, with the job taking 2 weeks start to finish (not solid work as the concrete has to dry). My best beloved felt that was a bit high, but it was less than I'd expected.

Ta in advance.

Aluminati

2,611 posts

61 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
I think that’s quite reasonable. How far is he going down with the footing ?

Sporky

Original Poster:

6,557 posts

67 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
I can't remember! I suspect it'll be adequate, he used to do houses and was adamant that he was only interested in jobs he could do right.

Douglas Quaid

2,331 posts

88 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
£1500 is a good price

mickk

29,104 posts

245 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
Douglas Quaid said:
£1500 is a good price
It's more than a days work.

Sporky

Original Poster:

6,557 posts

67 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
Douglas Quaid said:
£1500 is a good price
The quote is £5100...

ferret50

1,157 posts

12 months

Sunday 26th May
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If your best beloved can do it for less, I'd suggest that you buy 'er a spade!

biggrin

ColinM50

2,634 posts

178 months

Sunday 26th May
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Doesn't sound OTT to me. Just had two chaps dig out a sizable laurel tree, and a 2mx.6x.6 trench and fill with concrete for a gate support and that was £1,800. Two men, 2 days so your quote seems OK to me

Rusty Old-Banger

4,357 posts

216 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
Sounds OK to me. (civil engineer)

sfella

921 posts

111 months

Sunday 26th May
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I'd be asking him to crack on asap before he changes mind,I was reading the text expecting you to have had a 8k quote and be questioning it. 5k crack on please

119

7,459 posts

39 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
Almost seems too cheap tbh.

aeropilot

35,181 posts

230 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
119 said:
Almost seems too cheap tbh.
What I was thinking as well.


valiant

10,682 posts

163 months

Sunday 26th May
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We’re having a new front wall built which will also be taken up the front steps

It’s also a retaining wall with quite a bit of ‘weight’ behind it and our brickie has estimated approx 4 days work to dig out, remove, sort out new footings (if needed), reinforce with concrete blocks and then rebuild the new wall.

Quoted £2600 including bricks but I have to supply everything else inc skip hire (which will be around £500-£750). Used this brickie before so trust his work.

Your quote doesn’t seem too bad considering especially if he’s decent.


Sporky

Original Poster:

6,557 posts

67 months

Sunday 26th May
quotequote all
Thanks all.

Sporky

Original Poster:

6,557 posts

67 months

Wednesday 26th June
quotequote all
First day on site in case anyone's interested in seeing progress. Dug out the old footings and poured new, and marked up where the path will go. The big shingle stuff on the current path will go between the pavement and the new wall.






Cats_pyjamas

1,496 posts

151 months

Wednesday 26th June
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I've just built a very small retaining wall, about 6m long and 0.4m high and a 7x4 patio area kinda with it as a DIY project, materials alone will have set me back 5k. I think 5k for your job is fair for two weeks work, probably bring in a mini digger to dig footings and it's a fair old wall.

Sporky

Original Poster:

6,557 posts

67 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Wall itself is mostly done. Path and tidying today.


Den Den

214 posts

22 months

Wednesday
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That's a very decent looking job.

Sporky

Original Poster:

6,557 posts

67 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
This far I'm pleased - they've also matched the bird's beak pointing that the stone on the house has.

They're about halfway through the little granite edging blocks for the path.

sfella

921 posts

111 months

Wednesday
quotequote all
Looks nice work, case of beer at end for sweetener, next time you need them etc