Garden Coverage.

[Pique318]

Hi,

I want to replace my garden but I'm at a crossroads as to what to replace it with, gravel, concrete, paving (reclaimed/'Homebase'), decking, sleepers etc.

Can anyone give me adivse about the relative costs for an ares approx 120 M2 (excluding soil removal and other 'site specific' costs) ?

I am doing this to have a useable space for the summer and also for our dog so that he's not housebound in fine weather.

Sorry for the very generalistic question, but I'm open ot options. Cost is an issue so the cheaper the better. However, I have to admit to not liking large concrete areas for gardens as I think it looks 'orrible and too much like a silage slab ! Small areas mixed with gravel/paving/etc. is fine but I'm trying to work out a rough cost before I get a landscaper in.

TIA,

PK.

 

[Scaper]

Hi,

I want to replace my garden but I'm at a crossroads as to what to replace it with, gravel, concrete, paving (reclaimed/'Homebase'), decking, sleepers etc.

Can anyone give me adivse about the relative costs for an ares approx 120 M2 (excluding soil removal and other 'site specific' costs) ?

I am doing this to have a useable space for the summer and also for our dog so that he's not housebound in fine weather.

Sorry for the very generalistic question, but I'm open ot options. Cost is an issue so the cheaper the better. However, I have to admit to not liking large concrete areas for gardens as I think it looks 'orrible and too much like a silage slab ! Small areas mixed with gravel/paving/etc. is fine but I'm trying to work out a rough cost before I get a landscaper in.

TIA,

PK.

Cheaper is not necessarily better, eg gravel is cheaper than slabs, but wouldn't fancy cleaning dog litter within a graveled dog enclosure!
Concrete would be compromise on price, easy to clean but wouldn't look very appealing.


A combination of paving and decorative stone might be best option and general costs would be:

- gravel/decorative stone approx € 25.00-€ 50.00/Sq m
- paving € 65.00 - € 100.00/Sq m

Be careful on how and where you use Decking and Sleepers, decking requires regular maintenance otherwise can quickly become treacherous and dangerous especially in heavy traffic areas. Avoid using decking in such sites that are regularly damp/in shade, ie north facing. Sleepers although use for Raised Beds/Edges is acceptable (personally I prefer Pressure Treated Pine Sleepers, new and clean and no oils/creosote residues) are not recommended for use as steps, becoming slippy when wet.

Siter access and conditions will also bear on price etc.

 

[Pique318]

Thanks for the quick reply Scaper.

Your quote for the decorative stone approach is quite expensive ! I have got a price for nive coloured gravel for approx €500-550 per load (20T) which I assume would be more than enough for a 120 M2 area to a depth of approx 10cm.

What about reclaimed paving ? I personally prefer the un-uniform look of these rather than the arrow-straight edges of normal paving stones. Is this generally more expensive to source (as I assume laying it is much the same) ?

Thanks for the caution on decking. It's a north-facing Garden so that's out.
the sleepers/similar will be used for raised beds, not steps.

As for cleaning up after the mutt, not a problem, no worse than cleaning up after him in a sodden lawn !

 

[Scaper]

Thanks for the quick reply Scaper.

Your quote for the decorative stone approach is quite expensive ! I have got a price for nive coloured gravel for approx €500-550 per load (20T) which I assume would be more than enough for a 120 M2 area to a depth of approx 10cm.

What about reclaimed paving ? I personally prefer the un-uniform look of these rather than the arrow-straight edges of normal paving stones. Is this generally more expensive to source (as I assume laying it is much the same) ?

Thanks for the caution on decking. It's a north-facing Garden so that's out.
the sleepers/similar will be used for raised beds, not steps.

As for cleaning up after the mutt, not a problem, no worse than cleaning up after him in a sodden lawn !

If you covered the whole area with pebble you wouldn't need more than 8 ton, there is a wide range of pebble available, plus you order a bulk load you still have to get it in! Whether you use pea gravel @ € 15/ton or wexford beach pebble@ € 40/ton, you need to calculate your requirements.

There's a wide variety of paving stone available and an even wider range of finishes (mainly Cowboy). You get what you pay for and I think you underestimate how difficult it is to clean a pebble dog run, wet grass is no comparison.