Not all concrete is created equal, and the requirements for a residential patio differ vastly from those of a commercial warehouse floor. Whether you’re a homeowner planning a driveway extension or a contractor managing a multi-unit development, understanding these distinctions will help you specify the right materials, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure your project meets the necessary standards.
At Base Concrete, we work across both sectors daily, supplying everything from shed base concrete in London to large-scale commercial concrete projects. This guide explores the key differences between domestic and commercial applications and what they mean for your project.
Scale and Complexity
The most obvious distinction lies in project scale. Domestic concrete work typically involves smaller volumes—a garage floor might require 3-4 cubic metres, whilst a garden patio could need even less. These projects are usually straightforward, with simpler specifications and less stringent oversight.
Commercial concrete projects operate on an entirely different level. A single commercial floor slab can require hundreds of cubic metres of concrete, poured continuously over several hours or days. These projects involve detailed structural engineering, strict building regulations, and often require specific performance characteristics like enhanced load-bearing capacity or chemical resistance.
This difference in scale affects everything from delivery logistics to curing procedures. A domestic driveway can often be completed with a single delivery and a small team, whilst commercial work might necessitate multiple mixer trucks arriving in sequence, coordinated pours, and specialist pumping equipment.
Specification Requirements
Domestic Concrete Specifications
For most domestic applications, the specifications remain relatively standard. A typical driveway uses C25 or C30 concrete with a standard slump for workability. Shed base concrete in London generally requires nothing more than C20, whilst internal floor slabs for houses sit comfortably at C25.
Homeowners rarely need to worry about complex mix designs or admixtures unless they’re dealing with specific challenges—perhaps a sloping site requiring a stiffer mix, or exposure to aggressive ground conditions. The focus tends to be on practical considerations: will it be strong enough, will it look acceptable, and will it last?
Commercial Concrete Specifications
Commercial concrete in London comes with far more demanding specifications. Structural engineers typically provide detailed mix designs specifying not just the strength grade but also cement content, aggregate types, slump values, and required admixtures.
You might encounter specifications for enhanced durability classes, requirements for specific chloride content limits, or demands for particular curing regimes. Commercial projects often require third-party testing, with regular samples taken throughout the pour to verify compliance. Floor screeds for commercial spaces might need laser-level flatness tolerances that would never concern a domestic user.
The regulatory oversight also differs significantly. Commercial projects almost always require building control approval, structural calculations, and compliance with CDM regulations. This paperwork trail ensures accountability but adds layers of complexity absent from most domestic work.
Delivery and Placement Methods
Ready Mix Concrete Delivery
For both domestic and commercial work, ready mix concrete remains the most common delivery method. Traditional barrel mixers arrive with pre-mixed concrete, ready to pour. This works well for most projects, though domestic customers should note the minimum order quantities—typically around 3-4 cubic metres, which might exceed requirements for smaller jobs.
Commercial concrete projects almost exclusively use ready mix due to the volumes involved and quality control requirements. Multiple trucks can be scheduled in sequence, ensuring continuous placement for large pours. The concrete company coordinates delivery timing precisely, preventing cold joints and maintaining quality throughout.
Volumetric Mixing
Volumetric concrete offers particular advantages for domestic concrete in London, especially smaller projects. The mixer carries raw materials separately and mixes on-site, allowing you to purchase exactly what you need—no minimum orders, no waste from over-ordering.
This flexibility proves invaluable for projects like shed bases, small patios, or repairs where ordering a full barrel mixer would mean significant wastage. You can even adjust the mix strength mid-pour if needed, though this level of flexibility matters less on commercial projects where specifications are fixed.
On-Site Mixing
Some smaller domestic jobs still use on-site mixing with bagged cement and aggregates. Whilst this offers ultimate flexibility for tiny volumes, it’s labour-intensive, inconsistent, and ultimately more expensive once you factor in time and effort. For anything beyond minor repairs, ready mix or volumetric concrete proves more economical and reliable.
Commercial projects never use on-site mixing for structural elements. The quality control requirements and volumes involved make it completely impractical.
Cost Considerations
Domestic Pricing
Domestic concrete costs focus heavily on the material price per cubic metre, with delivery charges representing a smaller proportion of the total. A typical driveway might cost between £500-£1,500 depending on size, access, and finish requirements.
Homeowners can often reduce costs by preparing the site thoroughly themselves—excavating, installing formwork, and ensuring clear access for the delivery vehicle. Labour costs for domestic work are generally lower, and projects can often wait for suitable weather rather than working to tight commercial deadlines.
Commercial Pricing
Commercial concrete pricing is more complex. Beyond the base material cost, you’re paying for stringent quality control, third-party testing, specific delivery scheduling, and often specialist placement equipment like concrete pumps or boom trucks.
A commercial concrete project might cost £100-£150 per cubic metre for the concrete alone, with additional costs for pumping (£200-£500+), testing, and labour. However, commercial projects benefit from economies of scale—the per-unit cost decreases significantly on larger volumes.
Floor screed in London for commercial spaces adds another layer of cost, with specialist screeding often required to achieve the flatness tolerances demanded by warehouse operations or retail fit-outs. These screeds might cost £20-£40 per square metre depending on depth and specification.
Quality Control and Testing
Domestic concrete rarely undergoes formal testing beyond visual inspection. If the concrete looks right, performs adequately, and cures without obvious defects, the job is considered successful. This pragmatic approach works well for non-structural applications where precise strength isn’t critical.
Commercial concrete exists in a different world. Regular sampling, slump tests, and cube testing are standard practice. For critical structural elements, you might see testing at 7 days and 28 days to verify the concrete achieves its design strength. These test results become part of the building’s documentation and may be reviewed years later if issues arise.
This testing regime isn’t just bureaucracy—it protects everyone involved. The client gets documented proof their structure meets specifications, the contractor has evidence of proper installation, and the concrete company demonstrates quality control.
Finishing Requirements
Domestic finishing tends towards the practical: a tamped finish for a driveway, a wood float for a patio, perhaps an exposed aggregate for aesthetic appeal. Homeowners prioritise durability and appearance in roughly equal measure.
Commercial finishing specifications can be extraordinarily demanding. A warehouse floor might require FM2 flatness tolerances, measured with specialist equipment and documented extensively. Retail spaces might demand power-floated finishes with specific slip resistance values. These finishes require specialist contractors and equipment well beyond domestic capabilities.
Choosing the Right Concrete Company
For Domestic Projects
When selecting a supplier for domestic concrete in London, look for companies offering flexible delivery options, reasonable minimum orders (or volumetric alternatives), and clear communication. You want someone who’ll take time to understand your project, verify quantities, and offer practical advice based on experience.
Local knowledge matters too. A supplier familiar with London’s narrow streets, parking restrictions, and access challenges will save you considerable stress on delivery day.
For Commercial Projects
Commercial concrete suppliers need demonstrable quality systems, testing capabilities, and experience with large-scale projects. Check their quality accreditations, ask about their batching plant capabilities, and verify they can meet your specification requirements.
Reliability becomes paramount on commercial work. Delayed deliveries or substandard concrete can halt entire sites, costing thousands in lost productivity. Choose a concrete company with a proven track record on similar projects.
Base Concrete: Your Trusted Partner
Whether you’re laying shed base concrete in London for a garden workshop or managing a major commercial development, Base Concrete brings the expertise, reliability, and quality your project demands.
Our modern batching plants produce consistent, high-quality concrete to any specification, whilst our fleet of mixers and volumetric trucks provides flexible delivery options for projects of any size. We understand the distinct requirements of domestic and commercial work, and we tailor our service accordingly.
For domestic customers, we offer practical advice, flexible scheduling, and options to minimise waste on smaller projects. For commercial contractors, we provide robust quality systems, comprehensive testing, and the capacity to handle large-scale requirements.
With competitive pricing across both sectors and a reputation built on reliability, Base Concrete has become the preferred supplier for thousands of projects across London and the surrounding areas.
Ready to Discuss Your Project?
Whether you’re planning domestic concrete work or managing a commercial development, our experienced team is ready to help. We’ll discuss your requirements, verify specifications, recommend the most appropriate concrete grade, and arrange delivery to suit your schedule.
Contact Base Concrete today for expert advice and a competitive quote. We’re here to make your concrete project straightforward, whatever the scale.