[color=#000000]I have an area under a Pillar in the images below where the stucco failed. The material that came off behind the outer stucco looks like a mortar or concrete was under the stucco.[/color] [color=#000000]What is the best way to repair this area in terms of the concrete, mortar and stucco? What materials would I need to get from home depot?[/color] [color=#000000]I want to keep moisture out to ensure the metal does not rust. I've already sanded the rust off the metal and painted it with Rust-Oleum.[/color]

I am currently getting bids for paving my gravel drive. I have a question about thickness, lifts and compacting. When I requested proposals I asked for bids to do two lifts of 2 inch thickness, compacted to 3". Two contractors gave me a quote for that but the third said that 2" lifts are difficult. He initially proposed a 3" lift rolled to 2". When I said I didn't want that he said he could do two lifts at 2.5" but that made the job twice as difficult and he upped his 2" price of $16K to $30K for the two lifts.. Any idea why the huge difference in cost? Is there a rule of thumb for estimated final thickness based on pre rolled thickness? I initially wanted a finished drive rolled to 4" thick. Is that thickness unnecessary? Is a 3" thickness adequate for a residential driveway? Also there was a significant difference in the area of my proposed drive. I walked it with all 3 contractors using measuring wheels and their results 3600 s/f, 3750 s/f and the last was 4240 s/f. Is it unusual for that much variance (measurement #3) or is this guy padding the area?