Let’s face it – when you’re knee-deep in a building project, the last thing you want to be doing is mixing concrete by hand while the heavens open (because they always do, don’t they?). We’ve all been there, desperately trying to get the right consistency while rainwater slowly turns your carefully measured mix into something resembling porridge.
Here at Express Concrete, we reckon there’s a better way. Ready mix concrete has revolutionised how we build, and yet we still meet folks who haven’t made the switch. So, grab a cuppa, and let’s chat about why ready mix might be your new best mate on site.
The “Mix It Yourself” Headache
Picture this: You’ve got a decent-sized foundation to pour. You’ve bought all the ingredients – cement, sand, aggregate – and lined up your mixer. By lunchtime, your back’s killing you, your hands are raw, and you’ve only managed to mix enough for a quarter of the job. Sound familiar?
The DIY approach might seem cheaper on paper, but when you factor in the equipment hire, material wastage, and the four ibuprofen you’ll need at the end of the day, the numbers tell a different story.
Consistency Is King
Here’s something every builder knows but few talk about: consistency in concrete isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential. Each batch you mix on site will be slightly different from the last, which can lead to weak spots in your structure.
One of our customers, a builder, put it rather colorfully: “My lad was in charge of mixing, and let’s just say some batches were like cake mix and others like gravel soup. The finished patio looked like a patchwork quilt of different colours and textures. Never again!”
With ready mix, every cubic metre is exactly the same. Our batching plants use computer-controlled systems that measure each component precisely. The result? Uniform strength and appearance throughout your entire pour. No weak spots, no colour variations, no headaches.
It’s All About the Numbers
Let’s talk brass tacks. For a typical 6m³ residential foundation:
DIY Mixing Approach:
- Equipment hire: £80-150/day
- Labour: 2 people for 1-2 days (£300-600)
- Materials (with inevitable wastage): £550-650
- Total: £930-1,400
Ready Mix Approach:
- Ready mix concrete delivered: £750-900
- Labour: 2 people for half a day (£150-200)
- Total: £900-1,100
Not only is ready mix potentially cheaper, but you’ll finish in half the time with a superior result. Bit of a no-brainer, isn’t it?
The Strength Factor
Now, let’s get a bit technical (but not too much, promise). Ready mix concrete is typically stronger than site-mixed concrete, and here’s why:
- Precise water-cement ratio: Too much water weakens concrete dramatically. Our plants measure water content to the litre, ensuring optimal strength.
- Even distribution of aggregates: Our industrial mixers ensure every stone is properly coated with cement paste – something that’s nearly impossible to achieve with a small site mixer.
- Quality control testing: Every batch is tested before it leaves our plant. When was the last time you tested your site-mixed concrete?
The numbers speak for themselves: properly produced ready mix concrete can be up to 40% stronger than site-mixed concrete. When you’re building something that needs to last decades, that’s a massive difference.
Tailored to Your Needs
“But my project needs something specific,” I hear you say. Well, that’s where ready mix truly shines. We can adjust the mix to suit exactly what you need:
- Need concrete that sets quickly because rain is forecast? No problem.
- Building a water feature that needs waterproof concrete? We’ve got you covered.
- Working in freezing conditions and worried about frost damage? We can add special admixtures for that.
Try achieving that level of customisation when you’re mixing in a cement mixer that’s seen better days!
The Environmental Angle
Now, I know what you’re thinking – how can getting concrete delivered be better for the environment than mixing it yourself? Well, consider this:
- Reduced waste: We calculate exactly what you need, eliminating the over-ordering that’s common with bagged materials.
- Efficient resource use: Our production processes use water and energy more efficiently than site mixing.
- Fewer journeys: Instead of multiple trips to the builders’ merchant for bags of cement and aggregate, there’s just one delivery.
In fact, studies suggest that ready mix concrete production produces about 25% less CO2 than equivalent site-mixed concrete. Not bad, eh?
Time Is Money, Mate
Let’s be honest – in construction, time is money. The quicker you can get that concrete poured, the sooner you can move onto the next stage of your build.
A medium-sized foundation that might take two days to pour using site-mixed concrete can usually be completed in a single morning with ready mix. That’s not just convenient – it’s proper cash in your pocket.
One of our regular customers, a property developer, told us: “We saved three weeks on our six-house development by using ready mix for all concrete elements. Each week saved was worth about £4,000 to us in reduced financing costs alone.”
The Paperwork Bonus
Building regulations getting you down? Ready mix comes with documentation that proves the concrete meets the required specifications – perfect for building control sign-offs and quality assurance.
Try providing that level of documentation when you’ve mixed it yourself with materials from three different builders’ merchants!
Weather-Proof Your Project (Almost!)
We all know British weather is about as predictable as the lottery. With ready mix, you can schedule delivery for that narrow window of sunshine between downpours. And if the forecast changes? Just give us a call – we can usually adjust delivery times to help you avoid a washout.
The Expert Backup
When you order from Express Concrete, you’re not just getting materials – you’re getting decades of expertise. Not sure how much concrete you need? We’ll help you calculate it. Worried about access for the mixer truck? We’ll advise on the best approach. Having issues with placing or finishing? Our drivers have seen it all and are happy to share tips.
It’s like having a concrete consultant on speed dial, included in the price!
Ready to Make the Switch?
If you’re planning a build and fancy saving yourself time, backache, and potentially money, give ready mix concrete a go. At Express Concrete, we deliver across the region, with flexible scheduling to suit your project.
And remember – life’s too short to be mixing concrete when you could be cracking on with the next stage of your build (or, dare we suggest, actually having a weekend off?).
Drop us a line today for a no-obligation quote, and let’s make your next concrete pour a doddle rather than a drama!