Gravel - how much and where from?

Jez · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:04

I have a requirement of (i estimate) 8 tons of gravel, i am easy on the style, but it will be used for creating a drive of 100M^2

Question is, where should i purchase it from? And how much should i be paying per ton? Thought i would get some user opinions, some of you must have bought gravel in the past.

Diesel · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:14

Get some ****** to tarmac it for you.

Or go to a builders merchants perhaps?

Aero · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:19

Travis perkins, buildbase, possibly even B and Q just ring round and get some quotes :0

Aero

Werewolf · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:21

any builders merchent will sell it by the ton, iirc my dad paid either £40 or £70 per ton at one of our local merchents, and got it delivered for free.

The price does vary depending on where you are, and the size/grade of gravel, i think we get it a bit cheaper as we're surrounded by quarries so it doesn't have to be transported any distance

Jez · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:27

Does anyone know if the prices at these places are negotiable, or will i just sound like a tool even asking? ive got a few quotes and they seem to vary somewhat

gillywibble · 17 Dec 2008 at 13:57

If you've got a suitable trailer, or have access to one, go direct to a quarry.

I purchased 3 tons for £40. It's a pain having to make several trips, but you save a fortune.

Jez · 17 Dec 2008 at 13:58

gillywibble said:
If you've got a suitable trailer, or have access to one, go direct to a quarry.

I purchased 3 tons for £40. It's a pain having to make several trips, but you save a fortune.

Woah

I am being quoted anywhere between £38+vat to £150+vat per ton delivered. Sadly i do not have a suitable trailer.

gillywibble · 17 Dec 2008 at 14:05

Contact the quarry anyway. See if they deliver.

Barry Smalley · 17 Dec 2008 at 14:27

It depends on what gravel you want, as there are loads of different types. I think golden gravel is the most expensive, which was about fifty quid a tonne (IIRC) the last time I bought some.

Jez · 17 Dec 2008 at 14:28

Where was that from, Barry?

peterattheboro · 17 Dec 2008 at 14:30

All i'll say is B&Q is more expensive than from an specialist. Don't know if you have it in your area but try Jewsons if you do?

Barry Smalley · 17 Dec 2008 at 14:39

Jez said:
Where was that from, Barry?

A local builders merchant up near me (Lancashire). I'd have a hunt round for something similar, if I were you.

username · 17 Dec 2008 at 20:27

If you have very good access to your drive and you would easily be able to get a bin lorry sized vehicle up your drive start phoneing round the local quarrys for a load. It will work out much much cheaper to get it tipped in one go than to have 8 - 10 bags dropped individually. also consider the depth of the gravel If it is for a driveway having deep gravel is a pin in the but and you would be better laying a layer of compacted type 3 hardcore then a barrier layer (geotextile cloth to prevent the mixing of gravel and hardcore but allow drainage) then a shallow layer of gravel again compacted down as best you can.

The advantage tot he multi product finish is that the hardcore is cheaper than the gravel. If you have no quarrys near you try calling some of the big firms lafarge or tarmac they may do a load for you if you ask nice and pay cash (they are all dead att he minute so any money is taken)