Paving question

[aircobra19]

A neighbour is getting a patio done, and I've never seen one laid like this. I would expect the grass to be removed, then some compacted hardcore/stone, then a dry mix sand and cement for bedding the slaps. In the neighbours garden its like this, membrane is laid on top of the grass then a medium mix of gravel compacted then the slab. Is using hardcore/stone overkill?

 

[Leo]

I think that sounds like the lazy option. I'd imagine there could be problems down the line as the soil below starts to dry out and shrink. Any heavy traffic on this area would also cause compaction.
Leo

 

[breathnach1]

could be for drainage

 

[aircobra19]

could be for drainage

How so?

 

[mossym]

if hardcore then dry mix is overkill, then i'm going all out. would muh rather do it with hardcore/dry mix than this other method you mentioned, no matter how much easier it seemed

 

[cibby]

Had a patio laid last sept - builder took away all grass/topsoil, leveled the earth underneath and beat it down, then put in hardcore-3 or 4inches deep before finishing with slabs/ stones/pebbles its just lovely this summer.....