Can You Order Small Amounts of Concrete?
If you're planning a smaller project at home, you might assume that ordering ready-mixed concrete is only worthwhile for large building projects.
But what if you only need concrete for a shed base, a small patio, a garden path or a relatively modest home improvement project?
The good news is that concrete delivery isn't just for large construction sites.
At William The Concreter, we supply concrete for projects of all sizes throughout East Sussex and Kent, including smaller domestic jobs where convenience, accurate quantities and easy delivery can make a real difference.
Here are some of the things to consider if you only need a relatively small amount of concrete.
What Is Considered a Small Concrete Delivery?
There's no single definition of a "small" concrete order.
A major commercial project might require tens or even hundreds of cubic metres of concrete, whereas a domestic customer may only require a relatively small quantity for a garden or home improvement project.
Typical smaller projects can include:
Shed and garden building bases
Patios
Garden paths and steps
Small floor slabs
Fence and gate posts
Hot tub bases
Small extensions
Garage or workshop bases
Repairs and alterations
The important thing is to work out approximately how much concrete your project requires before arranging delivery.
Our Concrete Calculator can help you estimate the volume required in cubic metres.
Can I Have Concrete Delivered for a Small Job?
Yes. William The Concreter regularly supplies concrete for domestic projects as well as larger construction work.
For many homeowners, ordering concrete can be considerably more convenient than buying individual bags of cement and aggregate and mixing everything by hand.
This becomes increasingly important once you move beyond a very small amount of concrete. Mixing numerous batches yourself takes time and effort, and maintaining a consistent mix throughout the project can also become more difficult.
Having concrete delivered allows you to concentrate on getting the concrete placed and finished rather than spending your entire day mixing it.
How Much Concrete Do I Need?
Concrete is normally ordered by volume in cubic metres (m³).
For a simple rectangular area, the basic calculation is:
Length × Width × Depth
For example, a concrete base measuring 4 metres long, 3 metres wide and 100mm (0.1 metres) deep would require approximately:
4 × 3 × 0.1 = 1.2m³ of concrete
Real sites aren't always perfectly uniform, however. Excavations can vary in depth and ground levels may not be completely even.
That's why it's sensible to calculate your requirements carefully before ordering.
You can use our online Concrete Calculator to get an initial estimate, or speak to our team if you're unsure.
Is Volumetric Concrete Good for Smaller Deliveries?
Volumetric concrete can be particularly useful where the precise quantity required is difficult to predict.
Unlike conventional ready-mix concrete, which is mixed before arriving on site, a volumetric mixer carries the individual materials and produces the concrete on site.
This can provide additional flexibility because the amount produced can be adjusted to suit the job.
That can be useful for domestic projects where excavations, trenches or uneven ground make it difficult to calculate the exact volume beforehand.
We've explained the differences in more detail in our guides to Ready-Mix vs Volumetric Concrete and When Should You Choose Volumetric Concrete?
What If Access to My Property Is Difficult?
This is another common concern with domestic concrete deliveries.
The delivery vehicle doesn't necessarily need to reach the exact location where the concrete is being poured, but it's important to think beforehand about how the concrete will get from the vehicle to the project.
Depending on the quantity, distance and site layout, concrete may be moved using suitable equipment or delivered using a concrete pump.
Concrete pumping can be particularly useful for:
Rear gardens
Properties with restricted access
Extensions behind existing houses
Sites where the delivery vehicle can't get close to the pour
Locations where moving concrete manually would be difficult
William The Concreter operates its own concrete pumping equipment, allowing us to coordinate the concrete supply and pump hire where required.
We'll look at this particular subject in more detail in our next guide: Can Concrete Be Delivered to My Back Garden?
Do I Need to Prepare Before the Concrete Arrives?
Even for a relatively small concrete delivery, preparation is important.
Before ordering, make sure the area is excavated and prepared correctly, any required sub-base has been installed and compacted, and formwork or reinforcement is ready where necessary.
You should also check vehicle access and make sure you have enough people and equipment available to place and finish the concrete.
Our recent guide, How Do You Prepare a Site Before Concrete Is Delivered?, provides a useful checklist.
Small Concrete Deliveries Across East Sussex & Kent
William The Concreter has more than 40 years' experience supplying concrete for projects throughout East Sussex and Kent.
From our base in Battle, we regularly deliver to customers across Hastings, Bexhill, Rye, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Cranbrook, Robertsbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and surrounding areas.
Our customers range from homeowners completing relatively small garden projects to builders, groundworkers and contractors managing substantial construction projects.
So if you're unsure whether your project is large enough to arrange a concrete delivery, please just ask us.
Tell us what you're building, approximately how much concrete you think you need and where the project is located, and our helpful and friendly team can discuss the most appropriate options available to you.
Need Concrete for a Smaller Project?
Whether you're building a shed base, laying a patio, constructing an extension or tackling another home improvement project, William The Concreter can help with concrete supply throughout East Sussex and Kent.
We can provide ready-mix concrete, volumetric concrete and concrete pump hire, helping you arrange a delivery that suits your project and site.
Call us on 01424 775388 or contact William The Concreter online to discuss your requirements.
