Thanks. The full cost of materials (including drainage), machinery and skip hire came to £79.64 per m2.
I've not laid a stone patio before but am a qualified brickie (many years ago with Wimpey) so I know my way around a spirit level. Having said that, I think anyone with a bit of common sense and patience, who isn't afraid of taking on something new could do this work to a good standard.
Yes I hired a whacker, it was about £60 for the weekend. It was advertised as £35 but with £5 delivery each way and vat it was £60. I put down half of the sub base material and compacted it, then put down the other half on top, and compacted again. I could have done it in a day but I work full time so only have weekends spare, the weather forecast was patchy and because I'm doing it alone I wanted more time if needed. It was only £15 more than 1 day hire anyway.
A couple of other things which I hope you find helpful:
Skips. They did a discount for just soil/stone rather than domestic waste, so do enquire when ordering a skip.
Stone slabs. I anticipated a few breakages, what with them being shipped all the way from India, so bought a 20m2 crate for my 17m2, however upon arrival not one single slab out of 64 was broken. They were cleverly stacked in the crate and a small offcut wedged in there held the stone like a solid block. Had I known this I would've bought a 18m2 pack, but I'll make a nice doorstep out of one of the leftover tombstones and find a use for the others.
Cement mixer. With it being a project for weekends only, I calculated it would be cheaper to buy a mixer rather than rent it to sit unused during the week. I bought this little beauty for £219 and she runs like a dream:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/134-ltr-...ABrrBl1t7wYnJPo-YTMaAuJ2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
They sell used for between £150 and £200 used so I'll probably sell it once finished, though I am becoming attached to it lol. Without the cost of the mixer the project is £66.58 per m2.
