Whether you are laying a garden shed base, extending your home, or working on a larger commercial build, getting the right concrete delivered to your site in St Albans is one of the most important parts of the job. This guide walks you through everything you need to know: what ready mix concrete is, which grades are best for common projects, how delivery works in the St Albans area, and how to get a quote.
What Is Ready Mix Concrete?
Ready mix concrete is concrete that is prepared and delivered directly to your site, ready to pour. Instead of mixing it by hand or on site from scratch, you order the exact amount you need and it arrives on a lorry.
At Base Concrete, all deliveries are made using volumetric mixers. These lorries carry the raw materials separately and mix the concrete fresh on your site, right as it is poured. This is different from a plant-batched delivery, where concrete is mixed at a factory and could sit in a drum for hours before it reaches you.
Volumetric delivery has two big advantages. First, you only pay for what is actually used. Second, the concrete is mixed at its freshest, which means it sets stronger and is easier to work with. You can read more about how this works on the volumetric concrete page.
The Concrete Society offers a useful overview of how designated ready-mixed concrete mixes are classified under British Standard BS 8500, which is the standard all reputable suppliers follow. You can read it here: Designated ready-mixed concrete, The Concrete Society.
Why St Albans Suits Volumetric Delivery
St Albans is a city with a mix of older Victorian terraces, newer housing estates, and commercial areas. Many streets in the older parts of the city are narrower than you would find in a newer development, and access to the rear of properties can be tight.
This is exactly where volumetric delivery works well. The smaller lorries used by Base Concrete are around the same size as a six-yard skip lorry, which means they can reach sites that a large plant-batched mixer simply could not get to. For sites with very restricted access, a concrete pump can also be added to the delivery, allowing the concrete to be piped from the lorry on the street to the pour area inside or behind your property.
Which Concrete Grade Do You Need?
Choosing the right grade is important. Use too weak a mix and your slab or foundation may crack under load. Use a mix that is stronger than needed and you will pay more than necessary.
The table below covers the grades most commonly ordered in the St Albans area, along with their typical uses:
| Grade | Common Use | Typical Project |
|---|---|---|
| C20 / GEN3 | Domestic slabs and bases | Shed base, patio, garden path |
| C25 / ST2 | Domestic foundations | House extension footings, garage base |
| PAV1 | Driveways and paths | Block-paved driveway sub-base, footpath |
| C30 | Reinforced slabs | Larger domestic or light commercial floors |
| C35 | Heavy-duty commercial | Industrial floors, car parks |
| C40 | Structural and commercial | Large foundations, structural frames |
For most homeowners in St Albans, C20 and C25 cover the majority of jobs. C20 is the standard choice for garden-level slabs such as shed bases, patios, and garden paths. C25 concrete is a step up in strength and is commonly used where a foundation needs to support more load, such as under a single-storey extension or a concrete garage base.
PAV1 is worth knowing about if you are planning a driveway. It is a designated mix specifically made for paved surfaces and is more resistant to surface wear than a standard C20 slab.
If you are unsure which grade to choose, the Base Concrete team will talk you through the options when you call. The St Albans number is 01727 881979.
How to Work Out How Much Concrete You Need
Concrete is measured in cubic metres (m3). To work out your volume, multiply the length by the width by the depth of the area you are pouring, all in metres.
Example: A shed base measuring 3m x 2.5m at a depth of 100mm (0.1m) would be:
3 x 2.5 x 0.1 = 0.75 m3
It is a good idea to add around 10% to your figure to allow for uneven ground or slight losses during pouring. In the example above, that would bring the order to approximately 0.83 m3.
Because Base Concrete uses volumetric mixers, you only pay for what is poured. There is no minimum order worry if your project is small, and no risk of paying for leftover concrete if your measurements were slightly off. Use the concrete calculator on the Base Concrete website to get an accurate figure before you call.
Access and Delivery: What to Think About Before You Order
When you call to place your order, the team will ask about access to your site. It helps to have a rough idea of the following before you ring:
Road width: Can a skip-sized lorry reach your property? If the road or entrance is very narrow, the team can advise on whether a smaller lorry or a pump is needed.
Surface: Is the lorry parking on tarmac, gravel, or grass? This can affect where the lorry can safely position itself.
Distance to pour point: If the lorry cannot get close to where you are pouring, a line pump can pipe the concrete up to 100 metres. This is popular on St Albans jobs where side access is gated or blocked.
Time of day: Concrete deliveries should be planned so that your team is ready to pour as soon as the lorry arrives. Having the area prepared, shuttering in place, and enough hands to spread and level the concrete will make the job much smoother.
Areas Served Near St Albans
Base Concrete covers the whole of St Albans and the surrounding area. Nearby towns where deliveries are regularly made include:
- Harpenden (5 miles north)
- Hatfield (7 miles east)
- Hemel Hempstead (8 miles west, also the base of operations)
- Watford (10 miles south)
- Welwyn Garden City (10 miles north-east)
If you are in St Albans and also need floor screed for a renovation project, screed deliveries are available from the nearby Harpenden service area. You can find details on the floor screed Harpenden page.
Getting a Quote
To get a quote for ready mix concrete in St Albans, call 01727 881979. Have your measurements ready and a rough idea of the grade you need (the team can help with this if you are unsure). Alternatively, fill in the enquiry form on the Base Concrete website and someone will get back to you.
Base Concrete has been supplying ready mix concrete across Hertfordshire since 2002. As a family-run business, it prides itself on helpful advice, punctual delivery, and leaving your site clean and tidy after the pour.
