FAQ
General Questions
What services do you offer?
Stonebase provides a wide range of exterior property services, including driveways, patios, landscaping, walls and fencing, driveway and patio repairs, cleaning and resealing, roofing, flat roofing, fascias, soffits and guttering. We work on both new installations and existing surfaces or roof areas that need repairing, improving or replacing.
Which areas do you cover?
We work across St Albans, Southgate, Barnet, Hornchurch, Upminster and surrounding areas. If you are nearby but your location is not listed, get in touch and we can confirm whether we cover your area.
Do you provide free quotes?
Yes. We provide free, no-obligation quotations. For most jobs, we will arrange a site visit so we can properly assess the area, discuss what you want to achieve and provide an accurate fixed price.
Do you charge for site visits?
No. Initial site visits and quotations are free.
Will the price change after I accept the quote?
The price we agree is the price you can expect to pay for the work quoted. If anything unexpected is uncovered that genuinely changes the scope of the job, we will explain it before carrying out any additional work.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
No. We do not ask for money up front.
Is your work guaranteed?
Yes. Our work is backed by a 10-year guarantee, giving you added peace of mind after the job has been completed.
Before Work Starts
How quickly can you start?
Start dates depend on the type and size of the job, current workload and weather conditions. Once you accept the quotation, we will agree a suitable start date with you and keep you informed if anything affects the schedule.
How long will the work take?
That depends on the project. A smaller repair may only take part of a day, while a new driveway, patio, roof or larger landscaping project will take longer. We will give you an idea of the expected timescale before work begins.
Do I need to prepare anything before you arrive?
We will let you know if anything needs moving or clearing before the job starts. For most projects, keeping vehicles, furniture or other items away from the working area is usually enough.
Do I need to be at home while the work is carried out?
Not always. As long as we have access to the working area and any decisions have been agreed in advance, many jobs can be completed without you being at home throughout.
Will you remove the old materials and waste?
Yes, where removal is part of the agreed work. Old paving, roofing materials, soil and other waste can be taken away as part of the project rather than left for you to deal with.
Driveways, Patios & Landscaping
What driveway materials do you install?
We install block paving, tarmac, resin-bound surfacing and imprinted concrete. The best option depends on your budget, the look you want, the size of the area and how the driveway will be used.
Can you replace an existing driveway or patio?
Yes. We can remove an old surface, prepare the area properly and install a new driveway or patio from the ground up.
Can you widen an existing driveway?
Yes, in many cases. We can assess the existing layout and explain what would be involved in widening the driveway or creating additional parking space.
Do you carry out the groundwork as well?
Yes. Proper groundwork is one of the most important parts of a driveway or patio installation. We handle excavation, sub-base preparation, levels, drainage and the finished surface as part of the job.
Can you repair a driveway instead of replacing it?
Often, yes. Sunken blocks, damaged paving, loose edging, localised cracks and other smaller problems can often be repaired without replacing the whole driveway.
Do you clean and reseal driveways?
Yes. We offer driveway cleaning, re-sanding and resealing as a separate service for suitable surfaces.
Do you install patios as well as driveways?
Yes. We install patios using a range of paving materials and can also carry out associated landscaping, walls, edging and fencing.
Can you build garden walls and install fencing?
Yes. We carry out garden walls, boundary walls, fencing, gates and other related exterior work.
Roofing
What roofing work do you carry out?
We handle roof repairs, new roofs, flat roofing, tiled and slate roofs, leadwork, chimney repairs, fascias, soffits and guttering.
Can you repair a leaking roof?
Yes. We will inspect the roof, identify the likely source of the leak and recommend the most suitable repair.
Does a leaking roof always need replacing?
No. Many roof problems can be repaired without replacing the entire roof. A full replacement is usually only considered where the roof is badly deteriorated or repeated repairs are no longer practical.
Do you work on flat roofs?
Yes. We repair and replace flat roofs on extensions, garages, porches, outbuildings and other properties.
Do you replace fascias, soffits and guttering?
Yes. We install and repair uPVC fascias, soffits, guttering and downpipes, including complete roofline replacements where required.
Can you repair guttering without replacing all of it?
Yes. Leaking joints, loose brackets, damaged downpipes and localised sections can often be repaired without replacing the whole system.