My work progress
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peter: Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 9:07 PM
A reasonably good day, I know we all moan about the weather but there is no happy medium its either rain and cold or blooming hot, got 90 per cent of the old council paving up and in the skips, we have had three up to now, these slabs are 50mm thick and are 3ft x 2ft in size so they are heavy, the best way is get them broken and carry the pieces. Will finish the rest tomorrow and have got 6 tonnes of ballast coming so that should be good. In readiness to laying the concrete base. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Monday, May 21, 2012 9:00 PM
Started the Shorne job today, we were contracted to do so, need to get to a point we can leave it for about two days, just to get some other work finished. Weather has been good and looks like the rest of the week is going to be fine so that should help. Its a massive job to be done about 23 days in all. Over 400 slabs and two circle patios. I think I might have mentioned that before. We had some extra help today, Neils son Mitchell is down for two weeks and is free to help us get on, day one has started good, he has been loading up the two skips we had which enabled us to crack on with the lifting of the old paving. See you allo soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2012 7:25 PM
Sunday Evening for me always the quietest time of the week. Sitting here writing down what to take to Shorne in the morning, a van load I think. Twenty items all together to take, need a lorry not a van, should get it all in. A bespoke pattern for a paving scheme needs many tools to get it done. This going to look great when its finished. The weather has just been shown on TV and its going to be warm, about time I here you all say, great news all round. Been to see a job in chatham, this one is for paving , the base is already done so should be easy to do, Indian Sandstone to be used. Nearly done the price of yesterdays scheme. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012 5:15 PM
Hello everyone, the weekend is here and the weather is good so far. Been to chatham to see a decking quote, also had two more inquiries, both from recomendations which is good. Going to see another one tomorrow Sunday. Cant wait till monday though starting a large bespoke scheme in Shorne near gravesend, about 400 slabs and two circles plus turfing, about 23 days work which is great. Better set up a cafe so we can make coffee and tea. Haha!! I have two gazebos though so they will have to do. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 9:12 PM
A better day today, weather was as it should be for the time of year, dry, almost got the whjole deck areas done, got the railway sleeper flower beds done just got to fill them with compost. Tomorrow will finish the above and start dooing the lights. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, May 13, 2012 7:15 PM
Decking Oil is a product that will keep your deck in good condition, its easy to apply, do not put too much on at a time allow to penetrate, better to apply a thin coat then a second later. I have found that a product called Deck restorer makes the deck slippery. Of course decking stain is a great way of colouring your area, but I always say this, please make sure that you will like the colour because it is a stain and will need to be worn over a period of time. There are ways of getting the stain off but that invloves more cost. In my mind natural effect is better, so oil or a product called Stay New is good. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, May 13, 2012 12:58 PM
Sunday the best day of the week, and the sun is out what joy. Dinner is on the go courtesy of Joanne my other and better half and have done one quote two more to do. Starting a Bespoke deck tomorrow. We use local suppliers when ever possible, makes the materials easier to obtain and send back if not correct. We only use good quality. But on the occasions there are bad products we simply return them to the supplier, this is why we use local places. We use Torx screws for decking we find these attach the deck boards really firm and are easy to screw into place with the cordless, no slipping out of the screw heads and damaging the boards. We do not use nails at all, not even on our close boarded fencing, we use screws to attach the feathered edge boards onto the rails. Nails will become loose over time. Glad you all approve as we get a number of recommendations throughout the year. Our Driveways are firm as well, we lay the blocks onto a cement screed instead of just sand, we fouynd that drives that were done years ago are still firm and have not sunk, like some laid on sand could do. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2012 5:10 PM
Been to see two more jobs today, both in Gillingham area, one is for a fence and this lady got my number from a friend who we did work for, nice way to get enquiries, the other is from the website and this is for a deck, some Indian sandstone paving, and a small shingle area. The work is coming in fast now which is good news considering the wet time we have had, hopefully a dryer spell will arrive soon. Gazebo at the ready!! See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 9:08 PM
If you ever visit Tescos in Gillingham then pick up one of my cards from the saving stamp machine advertising board. Pass it onto your friends. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 4:51 PM
Its Friday and finished the job at Hempstead after a week of rain and wind, against some odds we had built the deck and built the brick wall, all thanks to the gazebo. Without it we would still be there on Monday. Starting a new Bespoke Deck on monday in Iwade near Sittingbourne. Its got three levels, all at ground level because the garden slopes upwards, so no handrails on the customers drawing, also decking lights to finish the job. Had the materials delivered today, so all ready to start. We quality control the decking as its delivered, so we had send 14 pieces back as they were not up to quality. Watch out for pictures of this one when its done. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 6:28 PM
Went well today, Neil has been building a wall under the gazebo to keep the work dry. A gazebo for £17 well worth it to do the work. Has kept the area dry. Should finish tomorrow, me, I am off to Iwade for a delivery of materials. Hoping it will be there before 12 noon. All ready for Monday start. A bespoke deck and lights. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 7:28 PM
Today was a better day, not too wet, but I was so fed up with the weather I took the decision on Monday to buy a Gazebo, this allows us tyo do sections of the garden under cover, 3m x 2m in size completely waterproof, great. Got the footings laid for a brick wall we are building. Completely dry under the cover and no water was in touch with the ballast. Left it up overnight and secured so will allow the cement ot set. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Monday, May 07, 2012 7:01 PM
The holiday Mondays soon go, this weekend went just as quick and with an extra day. Daughter Hayley built the playhouse that one of my customers was throwing out, its a real timber one, its got a porch, wooden door and windows. Tuesday we are starting a brick wall, so I have bought a small gazebo to hopefully the rain off while we build it, you watch the sun come out now that we have a cover. Still I hope it does, long overdue. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 10:05 PM
To be the best at what we do is an ongoing thing. Like in all walks of life we are always learning new ways to get the best job done. We all pride ourselves, especially when it all goes to plan. There is not but in this message, just to say that sometimes things do not always go right, but having the ability to bend the rules to acheive the correct outcome takes courage and understanding in what you are trying to do. Our Patios and Decking as we say are always the right choice, given the time and expertise we can do almost anything. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 3:49 PM
Just seen a driveway scheme in Rainham kent, also some bricks walls with pillars. The customer has the blocks so just the other materials and labour time. We do a firmer base then anyone else, so you dont get that sinking feeling after about 18 months. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 8:16 PM
Saturday night, in watching some TV, thinking about Tuesday and hoping its a dry day, as we have a brick wall to build, and some digging. After all we have a wet April, hoping for a dryer May. Done the thing at Tescos so having a rest. One thing that came up yet again, was the painting of your timber deck. Whatever you do, do not paint it with shed and fence paint, this is no good as some chemicles do not mix. What happens after a while the paint starts to peel off. Make sure its decking paint, say decking stain or perhaps oil, a cuprinol Stay New. See you all soon. |
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peter: Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 9:53 PM
Another deck done in Hempstead, this is just a flat one as said before in an earlier blog. All done and customer is very pleased with the result, we had to cut around a tree, always adds a feature when there is a tree or plant through the deck, we always make sure that the tree or plant has room to grow without damaging the deck. see you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2012 8:09 PM
Today was ok, just ok, drizzle rain most of it, but ok. Almost got the deck done, this is a flat near to ground type 6.7m long x 2.1m wide, in Hempstead. Weed membrane under the frame and away we went. Then the house alarm went off, there we were in the garden and the alarm ringing, we were expecting PC plod to come calling, but never did, and the alarm stopped, peace had returned, then the bloody thing went off again. Headache anyone See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2012 7:48 PM
Started a new deck today, still catching up because of the rain, or drought as the weather men call it, got the frame done and tomorrow going to lay the deck boards. The job is in Hempstead Gillingham, its part of a full scheme but the customer is having it done in stages, which is a popular way of creating a garden. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Monday, April 30, 2012 9:10 PM
A lovely day, the roof has been fitted to the pergola, as per the customers drawing, who has emailed me and is said to be very pleased with it. The design is the clients and we have done it to the letter. Looks great!! The whole scheme is a timber deck with handrails, with some shape to the front, a pergola with the Twin wall roof opal shade, a paving area complete with a path leading from the deck, and then slate chippings either side of the path, and to finish a new gate. Watch out for pictures on the site soon. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2012 4:16 PM
Sunday has turned out to be a nice day, and will hopefully continue on Monday. Been watching recorded TV and generally lazing around after a week of rain and hard work. Booked now until middle of June is fine, not sure if future enquiries will wait that long, but I suppose if they feel we are the best then the wait would be worth it. We are in a great position too, we have secured two great schemes, one in Shorne the other in Sidcup. Fencing, decking, and a Bespoke paving scheme in Shorne. The work just seems to be flooding in at the moment. We pride ourselves on a specialising in Decking and Patios. The word is getting around through two websites, one is getting the work at the moment, the other has only just begun, so early days on that. Still better to have two bites at the cherry then none. See you all soon!!! |
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peter: Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2012 9:47 PM
If you have an idea for your garden and also have a drawing of it, then let us quote you for the work. We carry out Bespoke landscaping, we acheive this by attention to detail, as the work progresses we talk over the project with you and exchange ideas. Give us a try!! |
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peter: Posted on Saturday, April 28, 2012 9:42 PM
Getting some work done at last, the weather has been bad has'nt it? Putting the roof on the pergola on monday, looks like it might a good day, normally pergolas do not have roofs, unless you are building a Gazebo of course, but this was a bespoke job and its what the customer wants. So its a structure with several angles, 4m long x 3.3m wide, 125mm x 50mm timbers as beams ready to take twin wall plastic sheeting. Beading and roof trims are to be used. Bespoke shape, and height, looks good!!. |
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peter: Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 9:00 PM
today I was rained off, could not do a thing. Trying to do a garden in rainham 90 per cent done. Hope we can get the path done tomorrow, then all it is to finish is the roof on the pergola and the slate chippings. see you all soon!! oh and by the way can we all prey for dry weather please! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2012 6:32 PM
Another week has passed and what a week, rain, wind, and more rain. Playing havoc with the schedule. Managed to get the paving done in rainham, great name, RAINham, its been doing nothing else. Need a dry day now to point the slabs, got to lay the new path on Monday, should be able to do this as the morning is dry I think. The roofing sheets came on wednesday so need to get that done as soon as also. I blame this wet weather on the hosepipe ban, since the area has gone on the ban, it has rained almost if not every day. The ponds must be filled up by now. Hope the rain has not spoilt your week too much. We are running about a week behind though because of it. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2012 5:03 PM
What a week, we did need the rain as I have said before, so blame me for it, but it had held us up a little, the decking was finished and the pergola also, just waiting for the roof to be delivered. The fencing is almost done just got across the back to be done. Paving has to start this week weather permitting. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, April 08, 2012 3:05 PM
Easter Weekend, time to relax, well if I can that is, been catching up on paperwork, and doing the last of the quotes. So it is time to sit down and write my blog. Lots been happening, finished two decks, a patio, fencing, brickwork. Filled a skip, and laid a circle patio. Turned out lovely!! Hope we are all having a nice weekend although the weather here is not too great. Started a design in Park wood Rainham this is a covered pergola, deck, paving and fence, also slate chippings. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 9:01 PM
well the patio is going great, this one is a circle built in the main paving area, 1.8m diameter. Square off kits allow to carry on the pattern, whic is the Oakham Pattern, just two sizes but works. This spring weather is great isnt it!! tee shirt weather in March, the last time I was able to do that was on holiday a while back in Tenerife. Make the most of it!! see you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Monday, March 26, 2012 9:48 PM
getting quite a few visits to the site 45 views from Gillingham in the last 24 hours alone, other areas were chatham,gravesend, sittingbourne, rochester. Great, give me a call if you need some work done. Hope you like the site see you all soon!!! |
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peter: Posted on Thursday, March 22, 2012 9:28 PM
The Rope Deck has been completed, looks great, we did stairs using Walksure boards for the treads, very secure on the foot. Watch out for pictures. Quoting again tomorrow, and starting a new Patio on Monday. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 9:57 PM
Nearly finished the deck, with the rope handrail, had to soak the rope, and left to dry out. Deck boards all down, posts ready, the trellis and the steps are going in tomorrow. So we should finish. Starting a new patio on Monday. Lovely weather !! See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 5:28 PM
Another successful day, done all the supports and cemented them in, and part of the deck boards are placed, weed membrane under the deck and shingle spread over. Its just a thin layer of shingle enoiugh to keep the WM in place, too much shingle and it starts the opposite effect, dust settles in it and seeds flow into the dust and starts growing, so too much depth is not good. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Monday, March 19, 2012 8:29 PM
Well today was eventful, after trying on Saturday afternoon to deliver the decking boards and 4 x 2, in which the truck could not turn a corner which leads down the rear entrance of the garden, we had the delivery on the main 7.5 tonne lorry, now the house is on a bank, which leads to a rear pathway, along side other houses, walking distance of about 400 yards, we had 40 deck boards and 30 lengths of 4 x 2, so it took the driver of my supplier to life them onto the bank to Neil, then neil lifted them over the rail to me, then we had to walk the 400 yards to the job two lengths at a time. Nightmare was one word for it, thanks to our suppliers we had a slightly less walk to do. It would have been 600 yards. It wasnt until I rang Shaun of "All and Sundry rubbish clearance just to ask him how he got his truck up the bank and to the garden, he then turned up in his car to give us a hand, what a great chap, he managed to get round the corner, cars can do it, he put the boards on his roof rake and drove them down to the garden, bearing in mind we had already taken about a third by walking, this was a great help. Well done Shaun!! See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2012 8:43 PM
Sunday night, looking forward to starting the new deck tomorrow, the one with the rope handrail. Should be good, the customer has left us access to the back door so we can plug in the extension leads for power. They will have a surprise every night for about a week, as they see the deck taking shape. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2012 9:48 AM
Much needed rain I know, always the wrong time though, night time is the best. Still looks good for next week I think, starting a deck on monday, this one is slightly raised, and with the rope handrail and stairs, trellis to face it off, will look great. St Williams Way Rochester. Watch out for the pictures when done. The rope has to be soaked and dried before use. Got two enquiries to see today and another one tomorrow. Going to pick up two Guinea Pigs with the hutch, food and all the trimmings today for Amber my 4 year old granddaughter, its a surprise for her, going with Hayley my daughter to pick them up. Wonder what she will call them. So long as its not pinky and perky!! A little before her time I think. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Thursday, March 15, 2012 8:30 PM
Office bound today, catching up on paperwork, done two more quotes, one is a large scheme in Chatham, depending upon which option is needed, option 1 will be 5 skips and option 2 will be 9 skips, large amount of earth and concrete to be dug out. What a job I only have a shovel, no a mini digger is a must. Retaning walls will also be needed. Some 4000 bricks. Hope to hear soon see you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Monday, March 12, 2012 9:57 PM
Three done, three to go, still its great the enquiries are coming in, one on this Saturday is from a customer we did a deck and raised beds last year, they require some extra work done, lovely to get work this way. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2012 5:40 PM
Well my favourite time of the weekend, Sunday afternoon very peaceful. The sun is out and all is well in the house, just waiting for something to go and spoil it. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2012 10:23 AM
The mobile side of my website is going really well, its the side that only mobile devices like blackberry and ipad and others can search for my site, the site activity counter has given me searches from Chatham, Maidstone, Greenhithe, Rochester, rainham, gillingham, and others a little further afield, here the site gives you me an indication of where and what people are searching for. Another good thing is that it allows to advertise where the most searches are. See you all soon!!! |
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peter: Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2012 10:41 PM
Another quote to do, and a further two visits tomorrow, starting a deck on Tuesday, so that should be good. All together I am pleased. Hope to hear from at least one of them. Another day tomorrow. The website is getting more and more visits, which is great. Adverts in the Medway Guide and hopefully The Net might bring some more good news, so expensive in some of these mags, but has to be done, lets hope they live up to the hype the staff of these mags are saying. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Friday, March 09, 2012 9:58 PM
all done at snodland, another patio finished, Indian Sandstone Autumn Brown, great colour. Look out for the picture on the site. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2012 4:35 PM
Got rained off today, we tried our very best to lay some paving and did do some of the cuts and laid those, but then the heavy rain came and it was a losing battle. Tomorrow and friday are suppose to be dry. Lets hope so. Need to finish the paving and start the pointing. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2012 9:30 PM
Indian Sandstone is a great paving product, very hard wearing, attractive and versatile, beautiful natural colours, will last a very long time. Needs a clean from time to time, as sandstone does attract moss and other airborn fungi, just a hard broom can work wonders. Jet washing is not always needed. Every year the stone could do with a good clean though, an old fashion scrubbing brush does the trick, but if that sounds like too much hard work, then a jet wash attachment using the scrubbing circular item would do the work for you. If you are going to seal the stones then make sure that the salt has come out for good, this is mainly in the cement used to bed the paving and in the pointing, it is a white powdery stain that wears off in time, whatever you do do not seal this in as you will be looking at the white stain for a very long time, usually about 3 to 5 months after the paving has been laid is enough time. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Monday, March 05, 2012 9:59 PM
Today was a bit dryer than I thought it was going to be, we got some slabs laid and finished off the concreting, so had a good day after all. Hoping if all goes well to get the rest of the paving done, its Indian Sandstone Autumn Brown colour, a blend of browns and grey, looks great, four different sizes make a different pattern. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2012 8:53 PM
Looking ahead to next week, I have four enquiries to go and view, great news. All sorts, patios, decking, fencing, and some brickwork. I aim to give everyone as always a great price, I go by the old saying, half is better than none. So I like to keep busy, but we all have bills to pay so I have to make a profit. Waiting for "jack the lad" to raise from the dead soon, with his lorry and silly prices, one customer whom I am seeing this week has had him turn up last year, said he do the work for some low price, I do mean low, not only did he get the work all wrong, but he turned round and asked for more money at the end of the job, in the end the customer did pay. But was not happy with the service he gave. Time and time again I hear this, he gave no quotation, just a verbal price. I know what you are thinking the customer should have asked for paperwork, which we give by the way, but I suppose with some they just want to get rid of the workmen. I saw in a strood area which was called a "cold calling free zone" no go for jack the lad. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2012 10:16 PM
Well that was Saturday, goes too quick, went to Newchurch today measure for a patio, slate this one, very attractive material and hard wearing. Slate comes in different thicknesses, as a general rule about 25mm to 30mm thick, I do not advise laying any thinner, comes in tones of grey to blue black and green. Great for giving the area to be paved a rich, and warm feeling. Like all natural products used for paving they attract the natural growth, but this can be washed or even brushed off without too much trouble. The colour is more stable also. It maybe a little more money than say manmade slabs but they will last years if looked after. |
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peter: Posted on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 7:59 PM
All done at Gillingham, Snodland here we come, from a deck to a patio, with Indian Sandstone, Autumn Brown beautiful colour. Cement base first tomorrow. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 10:33 PM
Not a bad day today, got almost all of the decking finished in Gillingham. The customer here have three children and I think they cannot wait for it to finished so they can play. Also they have a staffy dog, and a camelion, lovely thing, bright green with reds and other colour markings, I do not htink it will go on the deck, if it does it might change colour and then no one will find it. Should finish the deck tomorrow. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2012 8:15 PM
Had a good weekend, three jobs came in, one is still pending, just need the contract signed a agreed and off we go. Have stated all that I need so we wait to hear. Next week we might be able to finally lay the lawn at strood, if not certainly within the next two weeks as the weather is getting a little warmer and settled at the moment. Patios, Decking and some landscaping. Emails have also been coming in so all ready to go for the spring. See you all soon!! |
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peter: Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2012 3:04 PM
We have today been thinking a great deal. See the last blogs. I am not usually so indecisive but this has to right. The pound sign syndrome, I think its called. But its not going to be worth it if I only come away with £100 at the end of it. And it is precisely that which makes me think. I have priced it to the best of my ability, covered all. The drawing was a little hard to follow because it was done by some other company requested by the customer before I can onto the scene. Still thinking.com See you all soon!! |
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