Large Driveway

DVardysShadow

renovation_man wrote: »

Dvardyshadow I have just sent you a pm but your inbox is full, I have asked a moderator to remove any unsuitable wording regarding our website, it was not intended to tout but it is sometimes easier to show somebody a picture than to try and explain

It is the fact you are sending unsolicited PM's with your website. This will not win you a permanent place here.

renovation_man

Hang on I am am trying to right a wrong? remove what you wish.

DVardysShadow

renovation_man wrote: »

Hang on I am am trying to right a wrong? remove what you wish.

I can't remove your unsolicited PM's to people giving your web site address. But if you sent me one, I would report you. And you would probably be warned if not banned.

bordercars

calm down please. it seems reno man is genuine if unsure of the rules, hardly helps the OP. back on track

OP, if your going to remove it and start again, one option to get rid of the stuff might be to check your local Pits, ours has a free tip ur own clean rubble dump, might work out to hire a tipper rather than grabaway or skips.

renovation_man

The first thing would be to dig a few exploratory holes to find the depth of the concrete( my guess is about 75mm where it has cracked severely) and also to find out what is underneath. If there is existing hardcore then it may be reusable. A contractor would charge between £30-40 per m2 all in for plain concrete, this area anyway and pattern imprinted concrete would be £60-70 per m2

xx_lucy_xx

Thanks so much for all your help, going to have a serious think in regards to the next steps. All your comments have been helpful, I will keep you all updated with progress!

Avoriaz

xx_lucy_xx wrote: »

...I only see myself at the house for another 2-5 years so dont really want to spend megabucks,

You probably shouldn't spend more than will add £value to the house.

Can you afford the outlay to transform that driveway into an attractive feature that will enhance your enjoyment of your remaining years there plus will add £value and make it more saleable when you put it on the market?

Can you borow the money cheaply by adding to your mortgage?

You might recover your outlay with an easier sale in a few years time.

Maybe take advice from local estate agents.

I don't know how much £value, if any, a nice driveway might add but it should make a house easier to sell. People might be put off by a tatty and unmaintained driveways as it reflects on the rest of the house.

No offence intended. You said it looks awful yourself.

Johnhowell

Lucy,

Have a look at Pavingexpert website for options on driveway materials.

Personally, I would not use imprinted concrete, it always appears "tacky" to me.

If you go the gravel drive route - please do NOT use 6mm stone - use the 18-20mm size stone as recommended on the PE website. My ex got led by the builder see employed and now we suffer with the largest cat litter tray in the world and cars bog down when trying to drive through the thicker sections!

Another, personal opinion: from looking at the photos - it would appear that the condtion is not that bad except the ponding by the cars. And the immediate area to the highway.

I would do a straight exchange. A new (thicker, possible lightly reinforced) concrete slab, with correctly spaced/positioned/formed joints, lightly brushed finish with smoothed edges. The existing driveway appears to drain fine (ponding excluded), you could insert a movement joint between the house and driveway - or 2-3inch pea shingled gap.

Edited to add:
Any pavement is only as good as the foundation it is on. The more work you put into the foundation layer the better. Get a proper vibrating roller rather than a "wacker" plate and proper sub-base rather than "hardcore". All covered on the previously recommended website.

Good luck,

renovation_man

1.5 ton machine with digging and grading buckets are self drive and about £100 per day, 8cubic meter skip £180 so you will need several of these, or you could get 12 cube or get a price of a tipper, concrete is £120 per cubic meter that is blended with fibres so no additional reinforcement required, 10mm fibre board to wall and house to allow movement. Brush finish as stated with crack control joints. All prices are local and plus vat.I hope this gives you some idea of cost if you want to do it yourself, you will need to see what ballast is required though