Garden / Patio - What would you do?

oligopoly

Below is a photo of my (scruffy) garden. We want to tackle the unsightly anduneven existing concrete that's there. The cheapest solution is probably a loadof gravel on top of an anti-weed membrane, but I understand we’d need to first removethe concrete ? I have reservations about doing this in case we cause damageto any water pipes etc.

Decking would look lovely and presumably could go straight onto the concrete with the correct foundationsbut is probably the most expensive option, considering we'd want to run it the whole width of the garden.

New patio slabs would be the middle ground cost-wise (from my initial research). I assume the concrete would have to be removed for this option to level the ground first?

Aesthetically, any of the 3 options above would be great – but money is verytight at the moment. Looking at the photo (and taking into account the DPC line)what would you do?! And what could the likely cost be. We’re in Hampshire.

Thanks in advance

27col

Decking without a doubt. By far the easiest to do, and not particularly expensive.You wouldn't need to remove any of the concrete. which would a lot of trouble and expense.

oligopoly

Thanks for the reply. As the decking needs a level ground wouldn't the concrete need to come up in this instance anyway?

27col

oligopoly wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. As the decking needs a level ground wouldn't the concrete need to come up in this instance anyway?

The decking needs to be level, but it does not need level ground. All you need to do, is to build the frame to the size you require, or even two frames which can bolt together. You then set them level to the height that you want, using temporary packing. You concrete in a couple of corner supports using post mix. This prevents the frame from moving. After that you just screw short lengths of vertical support to the frame at various places to provide intermediate support. These supports vary in length, they just reach down to whatever level the paving slabs happen to be. I have used this technique on several decks and there has not been a problem with any of them. The supports can be offcuts of decking or of the framing. It really is quite simple.