Railway sleepers

[rabbitygirl]

Anyone had any garden work carried out involving sleepers (not original)? Need a retaining wall built of 15 x 2.5 feet and told using sleepers is cheaper. Have had quote for sleeper version which is higher than I expected. Also he is using softwood (pine) ones which last 15 ish years. Advice from the experienced please.

[landscaper2]

Sleepers are a good economical option for retaining ground. For a retaining wall of 15' x 2.5' high you will need 6 sleepers, with another 2 cut as securing posts and will cost around �25.00 each. If the wall doesn't have a return, then posts will be needed to be set in concrete in the ground and can be in front of the wall as buttresses or hidden behind the wall with the sleepers securely bolted thru them. A waterproof membrane behind the sleepers and a backfill of shingle will help drainage. Hope this is helpful.

[rabbitygirl]

Very helpful thanks landscaper2. I have been quoted �1300 inc VAT to build such a wall. Looking into diy version using system using smaller sleepers which we could do ourselves. We are quite competent but would probably kill ourselves diy ing those big sleepers.

[bill preston]

great advice from landscaper!

those big sleepers are not as heavy as you think!

[buildersmate]

Here's a useful site on railway sleepers to complement Landscaper's good advice. The Used ones are slightly cheaper than New, but both generally work out at about �25 each. At �1300 for the job, a lot of money is being made here. Time to get another quote?
http://www.railwaysleeper.com/Index.htm

[landscaper2]

Dont like to get involved in comparing quotes here, as prices vary greatly from area to area. Maybe 'rabbitygirl' lives in a mid terrace town house in central london, with impossible access to the rear garden and materials need to be craned over the house! However, I agree with you buildersmate. Although we do not know what preparation is involved, on the face of it, �800odd (+VAT)for labour to fix 8 sleepers is a mighty margin!

[dmsymr]

Timber yards often have stacks of reclaimed sleepers. We got 6 near where we live in the south-east for �13 each

[rabbitygirl]

Thanks everyone. No I do not live in London (anymore) and I know a cheeky quote when I see one. Have done some research on the net and come up with my solution -

www.woodblocx.co.uk

I can do my wall from a kit of parts for about a third of mentioned quote and what appears to be a neater look. Have had the surveyor check this system and he says ideal for job in hand (retaining wall pior to conservatory build).