Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about garden stone? You might just find the answer right here amongst our FAQs. However, if you can't find the solution to your query, feel free to drop us a message on our Live Chat!
Pre Purchase
Concrete/Reproduction - This is a popular and often cheaper alternative to natural stone. A manmade product, the concrete is cast in moulds specially designed to be as natural as possible, producing top quality paving for which Westminster Stone are renowned. Concrete products are very consistent in size and depth, making it easier to lay than natural stone which has lots of variances. Reproduction paving comes in a large range of sizes, textures and colours to suit all design requirements. It is strong, durable and frost resistant.
Porcelain - This is a great option for low maintenance paving and for those that prefer a uniform finish. Porcelain is water resistant and extremely durable so is ideal for ‘wet’ areas of the garden. Porcelain is made from a mixture of sand, clay and minerals heated to a temperature of 1400 degrees, producing a strong resilient material with a scratch free, non-slip surface that retains its colour. Porcelain is completely consistent in style and colour within each tile and from tile to tile.
Natural Stone - The beauty of natural stone products is that each is completely unique, providing a wide variation in texture, size and tone from piece to piece. Natural stone is strong, durable and resistant to all weather conditions for a very natural looking appearance. Natural stone will require some annual maintenance to keep it in tip top condition.
Limestone - This is one of the most eco-friendly/renewable products available, it is extremely diverse and offers a great choice of colours and styles. Limestone is naturally non-slip so can be used in wet areas within the garden such as ponds and swimming pools.
Sandstone - This is the perfect product if you like natural colour variations. Sandstone is one of the most common types of sedimentary rock and can be bought in smooth and riven variations. Sandstone provides an eye-catching natural effect but please be aware it can be slippery underfoot.
Slate - A popular contemporary choice, slate creates an attractive, unique finish that is low maintenance, durable and naturally non-slip.
We aim to represent each product as authentically as possible. However, the appearance can change in different conditions i.e if the product is wet or viewed at different times of the day. We have tried to provide images that are as close a representation as possible, however for complete peace of mind, we recommend you order a sample before purchasing.
Samples can be ordered online for most of our larger products for £15.00. Just head over to the product you’re interested in and click the ‘Order Sample’ button to proceed.
As natural stone products are quarried from the ground, they have natural variation which you would expect to see from rock and stone that has formed over thousands of years. If you prefer more uniform colours and consistent sizing and depth, please consider our manmade concrete or porcelain paving products. These products are manufactured, so colour variations can be controlled and products tend to be very consistent in colour to meet the requirements of the marketplace.
We endeavour to keep our stock levels as accurate as possible. However, if you have ordered a product and it is not immediately available, we will call you with the offer of a full refund, a suggestion for a similar product we have in stock or the option to wait with an extended lead time.
We always recommend that you allow 10% extra in case of breakages or damage whilst laying the product on site. It is normal to receive a couple of breakages in a pack and we suggest keeping these to one side to use for cuts. When your product is being laid, it is also common for the odd mistake or breakage to occur.
We can offer split packs on some paving products. However, please be aware that we don’t offer returns on split packs as a split pack is produced to order.
The Ethical Trading Initiative is something we feel very strongly about at Gardenstone. We follow all of the base guidelines as listed below to ensure we are a diverse, fair and caring company.
ETI Base Code:
- Employment is freely chosen
- Freedom of association
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour shall not be used
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive
- No discrimination is practiced
- Regular employment is provided
- No harsh or inhuman treatment is allowed
Delivery
Delivery is Free if you spend over £500. For smaller orders, delivery is £55.00 and will be automatically applied at the checkout
We also offer a Click & Collect service from our Head Office Display Centre on the Shropshire/Wales border. Orders will be ready for collection 2 working days after order confirmation.
Most products are available on standard delivery which takes 3-5 working days, however under the present circumstances, these lead times may be extended. Once you have made your order, we will contact you confirming when your delivery is on its way and will notify you if there are any unforeseen delays.
Your order will arrive between the hours of 8am - 6pm, unfortunately we cannot guarantee an exact time as it depends on the delivery schedule of our courier partners.
Typically, deliveries will be made on 18 tonne tail lift vehicles. Please make us aware if lorry access to your property may be difficult i.e tight access, dead-end with no turning point, steep hill access etc.
As the delivery is a ‘kerbside’ delivery we would recommend ensuring that someone is on site to be able to take delivery of your order and move it to a suitable position on your property.
Courier drivers are not obliged to deliver into your garden. Deliveries are made by a pallet carrier system and are known as ‘kerbside’ deliveries. If you are at the property when delivery takes place and are able to lend a hand, the drivers are usually quite helpful and may help you to pull the products closer to the property, but please be aware they are only obliged to deliver ‘kerbside’.
Returns
Receiving 1 or 2 breakages in a pack is normal and fairly standard in the industry, if you have ordered paving, we recommend keeping these to one side for cuts.
If your order arrives with lots of breakages (this does occasionally happen due to the nature of some products) then please report the breakages with a list of what is broken, images and the crate number to [email protected]. Please see our Returns & Cancellation Policy
Yes, you’re free to change your mind, and as long as your product hasn’t been dispatched you should not incur any costs. If you wish to cancel after the products have been dispatched, you can still return them within the time frame highlighted on our Returns & Cancellation Policy page.
You have 14 days from the date of delivery to return any unused products in their original condition and packaging. This includes all shrink wrapping and banding around the pallet or crate for safety reasons and product quality. This can be extended to 30 days if you wish to exchange a product, giving time to make an alternative option. We cannot accept return or cancellations for split packs, only full packs can be returned.
Please see our Returns & Cancellation Policy page for more details.
Payment & Prices
Our website defaults to display prices excluding VAT, you can toggle to see the prices including VAT in the top left corner of the website.
We accept the following:
- Card payment via Stripe
- Apple Pay