Whether you are laying a shed base, pouring a driveway, or working on a new build in Harpenden, ordering the right concrete makes a big difference to how your project turns out. This guide covers everything you need to know before you order, from choosing the correct grade to getting your site ready for delivery.
What Is Ready Mixed Concrete?
Ready mixed concrete is concrete that is made to order and delivered directly to your site. Rather than mixing bags by hand, you get the exact amount you need, mixed to the correct specification, and poured straight into place. It saves time, reduces waste, and gives you a much more consistent finish than hand mixing.
At Base Concrete, we deliver using volumetric concrete lorries. A volumetric lorry carries the raw materials onboard and mixes the concrete fresh on your site. This means you only pay for what you actually use, and the mix can be adjusted on the spot if your job requires a small change. There is no risk of the concrete going off in transit, which is a common issue with traditional drum mixer lorries.
Which Concrete Grade Do You Need?
Concrete is sold in grades. Each grade number refers to its compressive strength, measured in newtons per square millimetre (N/mm²). A higher number means a stronger, denser mix. The Concrete Society explains how characteristic strength works in more detail if you want to understand the technical side.
For most jobs in Harpenden, you will be choosing between a small number of common grades. The table below gives a quick overview of the most popular options for domestic and small trade projects.
| Concrete Grade | Typical Uses | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| C10 / GEN1 | Blinding layers, backfill, non-structural bases | Low |
| C20 / GEN3 | Shed bases, garden paths, internal slabs, kerbing | Medium |
| C25 / ST2 | Driveways, footings, external slabs | Medium-high |
| C30 | Foundations, reinforced slabs, commercial bases | High |
For most homeowners in Harpenden, C20 concrete is the most commonly ordered grade. It works well for shed bases, garden steps, paths, and general domestic groundwork. If you are laying a driveway that will take vehicle weight, C25 is a better choice as it handles the extra load more reliably.
If you are unsure which grade is right for your project, give us a call and we will talk you through it.
How Delivery Works in Harpenden
Harpenden has a mix of older residential streets and newer housing estates. Many roads are narrower than you might expect, especially around the town centre and the older parts of Batford and Kinsbourne Green. Our lorries are available in two sizes:
- Our smaller lorries are the same size as a standard 6-yard skip lorry and can carry up to 4.5 cubic metres. These work well on tighter streets and in gardens with limited access.
- Our larger 8-metre lorries carry more concrete and are better suited to open driveways, sites with good road access, or larger pours.
When you call to order, let us know about any access restrictions such as low bridges, narrow gates, or parked cars that are common along your street. We will advise on the best lorry size for your job.
Minimum Order Amounts
There is a minimum order amount for concrete delivery, which covers the cost of sending out the lorry. As a rough guide, most suppliers set a minimum of around 1 cubic metre, though the exact amount can vary. Use our concrete calculator to work out how much you need before you order. It takes your length, width, and depth measurements and gives you a figure in cubic metres, which makes it easy to check you are ordering the right amount.
It is worth adding a small amount on top of your calculated figure to allow for slight variations in your ground level or formwork. Around 5 to 10 per cent extra is usually enough.
How to Prepare Your Site Before Delivery
Getting your site ready before the lorry arrives means the pour can go smoothly and safely. Here is what to do:
Set up your formwork. Formwork is the temporary edging that holds the concrete in shape while it sets. Use timber planks or shuttering boards and make sure they are level and firmly staked into the ground. Check the corners are square if you are pouring a slab.
Clear the access route. Move any parked vehicles, bins, or garden furniture that might block the path from the road to your pour area. The lorry needs to get as close as possible to avoid a long wheelbarrow run.
Lay any sub-base material. For most outdoor slabs and driveways, you should have a compacted sub-base of MOT Type 1 (crushed stone) already in place before the concrete is poured. This gives a stable foundation and helps drainage.
Have your team ready. Concrete needs to be spread, levelled, and tamped quickly once it starts flowing. Make sure you have enough people on site to work at a good pace.
What If Access Is Difficult?
Some properties in Harpenden have restricted access, whether that is a narrow side passage, a garden behind a terrace, or a rear plot with no direct road access. In these cases, a concrete pump is usually the best solution.
We offer concrete pumping in Harpenden using line pumps that run pipes along the ground. A line pump can reach up to 100 metres or more, which means the lorry can stay on the road while the concrete travels through the pipe directly to your pour area. It is a clean, efficient option that saves a lot of manual carrying and speeds the job up considerably.
Floor Screed in Harpenden
If your project includes internal floor finishing, such as laying a new floor over underfloor heating or preparing a surface for tiles, you may also need floor screed rather than standard concrete. Screed is a smoother, finer mix that is designed to be applied in a thin layer on top of an existing base.
We also supply floor screed in Harpenden for domestic and commercial projects. Like our concrete, it is mixed on site using our volumetric lorries so you get exactly the amount you need.
Get a Quote for Ready Mixed Concrete in Harpenden
We have been supplying concrete to homeowners and builders across Hertfordshire since 2002. Our team is friendly, helpful, and happy to talk through your project before you order. We aim to leave every site clean and tidy, which is not always something you can count on in this industry.
To get a quote or discuss your order, visit our ready mix concrete in Harpenden page or call us on 01727 881979 (St Albans office, covering the Harpenden area).
