If you are planning a driveway, patio or shed base in Stevenage, ready mixed concrete is usually the easiest way to get the job done properly. This guide walks you through the basics, from working out how much you need to what happens when the lorry arrives.
What is ready mixed concrete?
Ready mixed concrete is concrete that is made to order and brought straight to your property, rather than mixed by hand on site. Instead of lugging bags of cement and standing over a mixer for hours, you get a fresh batch delivered exactly when you need it.
At Base Concrete, we supply Stevenage homeowners using volumetric mixers. These lorries carry the raw ingredients (cement, aggregate and water) in separate compartments and blend them fresh at your kerbside. This matters for two reasons. First, the concrete is always at its best quality when it hits your site, because it has not been sitting in a drum during the drive over. Second, you only pay for what actually gets poured. If your job needs 2.3 cubic metres, that is exactly what gets mixed. There is no leftover load to pay for and no waste to deal with.
Working out how much concrete you need
Before you order anything, you need to know your volume. The formula is simple:
Length (m) × Width (m) × Depth (m) = Volume in cubic metres
For example, a patio measuring 4m by 3m at a depth of 100mm (0.1m) needs:
4 × 3 × 0.1 = 1.2 cubic metres
It is always sensible to add around 10% on top of your figure. Ground is rarely perfectly level, and a little extra covers any spillage or uneven digging. If you would rather not do the sums yourself, use our concrete calculator and it will work out the volume for you.
Which grade of concrete do you need?
Concrete grades tell you how strong the mix is. The number refers to the compressive strength in Newtons per square millimetre after 28 days of curing. A higher number means a stronger (and slightly more expensive) mix. Picking the right grade for the job means you are not overpaying for strength you do not need, or risking a slab that cracks under normal use.
| Project | Recommended grade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shed or garden office base | C20/GEN3 | Strong enough for storage and foot traffic without overspending |
| Patio or garden path | C20/GEN3 or C25/ST2 | Handles weather and light use, C25 for heavier traffic |
| Driveway (family car) | C25/ST2 | Copes with regular vehicle weight and weather exposure |
| Driveway (vans or heavier vehicles) | C30 | Extra strength for repeated heavy loads |
| Foundations for an extension | C20/GEN3 or higher | Depends on the structure, always confirm with your builder |
For most Stevenage homeowners, C20/GEN3 covers the majority of garden and driveway projects. It is a good balance of strength, workability and cost, and it stands up well to the British weather.
Delivery day: what actually happens
Knowing what to expect on the day makes the whole process much less daunting.
- We confirm your access. Before the lorry arrives, we will already know whether your site needs a full-size lorry, a mini mix lorry, or our volumetric concrete truck for tighter driveways and awkward access.
- The lorry arrives at the agreed time. Stevenage sits comfortably within our regular delivery area, so scheduling is usually straightforward.
- Concrete is mixed fresh at your kerbside. Because our lorries mix on site, the concrete is at peak workability the moment it is poured, giving a stronger, more even finish than concrete that has travelled some distance in a drum.
- You only pay for what is poured. The mixer stops once your measured volume is reached, so there is no surplus to dispose of.
- The site is left clean and tidy. Minimal mess is part of the job, not an afterthought.
Caring for your concrete after it is poured
Once your concrete is down, how you treat it in the first few days matters just as much as the mix itself. Fresh concrete needs to be protected from drying out too quickly, especially in warm or windy weather, as this can weaken the surface and cause cracking. According to the Concrete Society’s guidance on curing, keeping young concrete moist and at a steady temperature helps it build strength properly and improves its long term durability. Covering a fresh pour with polythene sheeting for the first day or two is a simple way to help it cure properly.
As a general guide:
- Light foot traffic is usually safe after 24 to 48 hours
- Vehicles should stay off for at least a week
- Full design strength is reached at around 28 days
Why homeowners choose volumetric mixing
Traditional drum-mixed concrete is batched at a plant and driven to you, with the full load charged regardless of how much you actually use. Volumetric mixing works differently. Because the ingredients are combined fresh on site, the lorry can:
- Mix the exact amount you need, with nothing wasted
- Switch mix design part way through a job if different areas need different strengths
- Reach tighter driveways and gardens using smaller, more manoeuvrable vehicles
For a typical domestic concrete project like a patio, driveway or shed base, this usually works out both cheaper and less stressful than arranging a traditional delivery.
Getting a quote for your Stevenage project
Every project is different, so the best way to get an accurate price is to give our team a call with your measurements. We serve Stevenage and the surrounding area, including Hitchin, Letchworth, Knebworth and Welwyn, and we are happy to talk through grade, quantity and access before you commit to anything.
Call Base Concrete on 01442 389105 to discuss your Stevenage project, or use our concrete calculator to get a head start on your measurements.
