Summary: How much is ready mix concrete, average cost and price of ready mix concrete and factors to consider when ordering ready mix concrete.
There are many things to consider when purchasing ready-mix concrete. Preparation of the area to be concreted is essential and this must be considered in the final costs of the project. Ready-mixed concrete costs vary substantially in price depending on your location, the type and volume of concrete used. As a guideline, a range of between £40 per cubed metre up to £70 is reasonable.
Be aware that there are different types of ready-mixed concrete suitable for different projects. You will need to clarify with the supplier as to which type you need – most suppliers will happily discuss your needs with you if you're not sure. Firstly are you using the mix for foundation footings, paths, flooring and foundations, garage floors or agricultural constructions? Also different mixes can produce different colours and textures all adjusting the final cost.
The amount of concrete you need to order will depend on many things:
You will also need to specify how wet you want the ready-mix concrete to be (the 'slump'). The wetter the concrete, the more workable it will be, but remember you can always add water, but you can't take water away.
Always order 5-10% more concrete than you have calculated for, to allow for spillage, wastage and spreading.
You will need to specify how wet you want the ready-mix concrete to be.
The timing of when you lay concrete is important, so think carefully before you book a delivery. When talking to suppliers, to finalise your exact costings, make sure you have answers to the following questions:
You will also need to ensure you have adequate protective clothing for skin and eyes for when you handle the concrete, as it can cause alkali burns and acute dermatitis.
When the concrete is laid, it will take time to cure (dry out). To stop this from happening too quickly you will need to cover the freshly laid concrete with plastic, this reduces the moisture loss. Concrete must never be laid in freezing weather and if the night temperature is likely to fall below zero, you will need to support a plastic sheet above the newly laid concrete with wooden stakes.
With careful planning and preparation it's easy to have a problem-free experience of obtaining and laying ready-mix concrete.
How long will the truck-mixer wait at the site? Obviously to make their delivery schedule as efficient as possible, the truck-mixer has a limited time to wait.
If you place plastic sheet on top of freshly laid concrete this will slow down the time it takes for the concrete to cure (dry out).
Author: C J Mills Google+
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