Ready-mix concrete is a staple for contractors and home improvement DIYers. Whether you're building a sidewalk, paving a driveway, or constructing a walkway to your front door, ready-mix concrete is going to be your main material. There are a lot of ready-mix concrete varieties out there, though, and you want to make sure you purchase the right one for your project. Here are some guidelines for buying the versatile building material.

Do

Know exactly how much you need.

Ordering ready-mix concrete is not the time to make loose guesses about how much of the material you're going to need for your job. Ordering too little holds up the entire project while ordering too much is a waste of money. Consider using a concrete calculator to help you determine how much to order.

Give the batch plant all the necessary information.

You'll be ordering your ready-mix concrete from a batch plant, and the more the professionals there know about your job — exactly where and under what conditions the concrete is going to be used — the more synchronized the delivery will be with your project and workflow.

Don't

Forget about additional fees.

While the cost of the ready-mix concrete will certainly constitute the primary expense, there are often other fees associated with ready-mix concrete. One of these is the cost of transportation, which can vary dramatically depending on how far the batch plant is from you. Ask potential suppliers about additional fees ahead of time, and keep in mind the distance between you and the plants.

Overlook compressive strength.

One of the most essential features of ready-mix concrete you'll want to keep in mind when ordering the material is something called compressive strength. This usually ranges from around 3,000 to 5,000 PSI, and different numbers correspond to various purposes. For example, flooring and outdoor spaces require somewhere between 3,500 and 4000 PSI, while pavement requires concrete with a compressive strength closer to 5,000 PSI.

For over 50 years, residents and businesses in Windham County, CT, have come to rely on the Builder's Concrete East for all their ready-mix concrete needs. The concrete mix professionals have supplied the materials for local bridges and sidewalks as well as pools and patios. Additionally, the concrete supplier keeps some of the latest, most technologically advanced concrete on the market in their inventory, including energy-efficient NewCem®. Visit the concrete professionals’ website to learn more about their products and services, or call directly at (860) 456-4111 for the Windham area and (860) 643-5578 for Manchester.