PATIO SLABS SELF BUY OR TRADESMAN SUPPLY

MarinaTrench

Hi,
    This is first time we are getting this kind of work done.
We are getting a Patio and path built. About 24 sqm worth of paving using Indian Sandstone.
This includes labour and materials including the slabs.
Do people usually buy the Slabs themselves or do they let the tradesman supply them? 
If the tradesman supplies them how do you ensure quality? What is stopping him from getting the cheapest sandstone available?
Thanks,
Marina

Supersonos

Personally, I'd source buy the slabs myself to ensure they were the ones I wanted.  But I'd discuss it with the trade first in case they could get the same ones cheaper (trade discount etc).

Davesnave

Decide on the slabs you like then get the trades person to purchase them. If they get discount, as they should, they may choose to pass some of it on, but that will only apply if you choose from somewhere that they know and have an account with. Liaison is therefore everything in this and similar matters.

EssexExile

Tell them what slabs you want, make and style/colour.

Nearlyold

Most tradesman will give you a brochure or two from the supplier they use which will  also explain the quality differences, we pick what we want from that, you can usually visit the supplier to see the stone if you want to, though there's no guarantee that the colour you see will be exactly what you get.
We then just leave the tradesman to order, that way he can arrange to co-ordinate delivery etc. 

NB Most of the Sandstone on offer from reputable sources is from the same quarries in India though the colour name and range name may be different across UK suppliers, basically just comes with a different label on the pallet.

43 sqm came out at £108.per sqm  which included removing the old "council slabs".