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QUESTION:I'm about to start the final phase of block paving.
The latest scheme requires around 60 cubic yards of muck to be dug out
and disposed of, and around 40 tons of stone sub-base to be spread (200
square metres - most of it 200mm deep, some a bit deeper). The area in
question is a mixture of a very flimsy concrete drive on a few
half-bricks, hardcore with gravel squashed in, and soil.
I've thought of two options: get a man with a JCB, or hire a skid-steer
loader. Any thoughts on how long it might take to dig out, then to
spread the stone in either case? Likely costs? Is a skid-steer the
best machine for the purpose?
I'm treating little jobs like drains, a new water service, and a phone
cable duct as separate problems - I've got a walking digger that's OK
for that.
ANSWER: Sounds like a 2 or 3 hour job for a JCB. I had 20 tonnes of
gravel carried up my drive (400yds) and the same drive scraped
by one a couple of weeks ago. It took him about 3 hours and
cost me 60 quid - his minimum was 50 quid as he was based 10
miles away.
Bear in mind that they do make one hell of a mess! By the time
he'd finished shifting the gravel, the drive was rutted to a
couple of feet deep in places. Definitely something to bear in
mind.
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