Returning wall

Moneygoes2money

Hi everyone

Today I have received a quote for a returning wall (whatever that is) as follows:

Excavate and dispose of existing flowerbed (think I can do this myself)
Supply and concrete foundations
Supply and build a 4.5 inch returning wall a total of 4.8 lm an average of 0.600 high (what does all this mean? What is lm?)

Costs £670.00
[EMAIL="VAT@17.5%"]VAT@17.5%[/EMAIL] £117.25
Total costs £787.25

I think this is expensive, any advice and help would be appreciated.

(Note: A closeboard fence is to be situated on top of this wall.)

macduf

Do you mean Retaining wall?
If you do dont employ them because 4.5inch wall is not sufficent.

Moneygoes2money

macduf wrote: »

Do you mean Retaining wall?
If you do dont employ them because 4.5inch wall is not sufficent.

Hi macduf

Thanks for the quick reply. The quote definitely says returning wall.

I think we are going to get a couple more quotes. Why is 4.5 inch wall not sufficient? What should I be looking for?

macduf

It is a Retaining wall. The top 18inch of a RW has to be 9inch wide, then every 18inch after that has to be an extra 4and half inch and so on whilst retaining soil etc. It is built in step formation on the inside then the soil etc sits on the steps and does a cantilever effect on the wall thus supporting it. It also requires Pea gravel down the back of the wall and holes in the wall for water to drain through.

Moneygoes2money

macduf wrote: »

It is a Retaining wall. The top 18inch of a RW has to be 9inch wide, then every 18inch after that has to be an extra 4and half inch and so on whilst retaining soil etc. It is built in step formation on the inside then the soil etc sits on the steps and does a cantilever effect on the wall thus supporting it. It also requires Pea gravel down the back of the wall and holes in the wall for water to drain through.

Hi macduf

Thanks for your detailed reply. I'm not sure I understand all of it being just an office penpusher it's like a foreign language but does that explain why we've been quoted £787? Do you think the quote is reasonable for a wall 4.8 lm in length?

ukwoody

I am going to say that it *could* be a returning wall at 4.5". I understood a returning wall to be an L shaped wall that goes from say a gate to the side of a house with a slight leg (return) in it. No soil banked up on it. ie a Dwarf wall.

A simple 4" dwarf wall is very common for just a small fence to sit on.

Your quote shows 4.5 " (the width of a brick) - so a single skin brick wall
4.8lm means 4.8 Linear Metres ie 4.8 mtrs long
0.600 high means 600mm tall

If you do the clearing yourself, dont forget to dig deep enough for the footings of the wall. Your builder has probably included the cost of a small digger to do the trench in a short time.

woody

ukwoody

Sorry, forgot to say, I'm not a brickie but a chippie. I would guess that quote is about right, allowing for digging and clearing. Laying the footings, which would need to be left for a couple of days, then building the wall. So probaly 2 days work for a brickie and his mate then all the materials.

dont forget that his bill is actually only £670 the rest goes to dear Gordon.

Moneygoes2money

ukwoody wrote: »

I am going to say that it *could* be a returning wall at 4.5". I understood a returning wall to be an L shaped wall that goes from say a gate to the side of a house with a slight leg (return) in it. No soil banked up on it. ie a Dwarf wall.

A simple 4" dwarf wall is very common for just a small fence to sit on.

Your quote shows 4.5 " (the width of a brick) - so a single skin brick wall
4.8lm means 4.8 Linear Metres ie 4.8 mtrs long
0.600 high means 600mm tall

If you do the clearing yourself, dont forget to dig deep enough for the footings of the wall. Your builder has probably included the cost of a small digger to do the trench in a short time.

woody

Hi woody

Many thanks for you help, it is really appreciated and I love it when a tradesman talks in simple language. I understood all the above post!

ukwoody

Pleasure!
woody