How Much For Shed Concrete Base

[R500POP]

Tearing down the old shed as it's properly rotten & getting a 6x6 steel one instead.

Prior to installing the new shed I'm going to get a concrete hardstanding laid, approx 6'6" x 7", depth approx 4" & associated digging/removal of soil.

Roughly how much am I looking at to get the work done, I'm in the Bristol area, so if any builders on here fancy the work, give me a shout.

[mk1fan]

If the shed is going to be pre-fabbed then make sure the base is level / flat. Could be done in a day by two blokes so allow £300 for labour, £120 for concrete delivered and £80 sundries and waste disposal. That'll be £500 budget.

A single guy could do it but they may want a day and a half.

This time of year make sure it's warm enough for the concrete to cure properly.

Is it going to be raised out of the ground? If it is then allow 6-inch depth - 4-inches in the ground and 2-inches above - not for structural reasons but it'll help keep water out.

[R500POP]

£500, bugger me. I'll be doing it myself then!!!!!

I was hoping more like £300.

[CDP]

You should be able to dig 6'6X7 to four inches fairly quickly; I did (mostly on my own) 33' by 24' to between around 30" deep. I managed to "lose" the soil around the garden so I can't understand the issue for waste disposal with such a small amount. If it's only 4" deep it will only be useful topsoil so if you've got no space for it your neighbours might.

I'd recommend getting the level ready and getting premixed concrete. Although I was ordering 5cm at a time it makes the job so much faster and the results are better.

Just make sure you've got a mate on hand and you're completely shuttered and prepared so all you've got to do is pour and level; you can have it laid within an hour or so.

Don't forget the waterproof membrane though or the damp will come up through it; condensation may be bad enough with a steel building.

[Spudler]

CDP said:

Don't forget the waterproof membrane though or the damp will come up through it

DONT use a membrane, it will just trap water. Add a waterproofer to the mix. Make sure you dig to a firm base(worms like to aireate soil) or the slab will crack in time. As mentioned, keep the slab raised above ground level. Try and use something with a smooth inside face on the shuttering, failing that line with polythene/plastic, it will help bring the fat to the edge of the slab and eliminate air pockets.

[CDP]

Spudler said:

CDP said:

Don't forget the waterproof membrane though or the damp will come up through it

DONT use a membrane, it will just trap water. Add a waterproofer to the mix. Make sure you dig to a firm base(worms like to aireate soil) or the slab will crack in time. As mentioned, keep the slab raised above ground level. Try and use something with a smooth inside face on the shuttering, failing that line with polythene/plastic, it will help bring the fat to the edge of the slab and eliminate air pockets.

Thinking about it my membrane was inside the walls so the water wouldn't get in and underneath polystyrene slabs.

[R500POP]

Not too worried about the membrane as the shed is being built on a timber base, on 2"x2" bearers. The concrete base itself is going to have drain tubes going through to the soil below.

[spikeyhead]

don't put a shed on a concrete slab,

Thick layer of gravel and a series of conrete fence posts is much easier to prepare and make level. Also allows some airflow under the shed to stop it rotting.

[R500POP]

spikeyhead said:

don't put a shed on a concrete slab,

Thick layer of gravel and a series of conrete fence posts is much easier to prepare and make level. Also allows some airflow under the shed to stop it rotting.

It's a metal shed........

Edited by R500POP on Tuesday 9th November 12:30

[Silver993tt]

spikeyhead said:

don't put a shed on a concrete slab,

Why not? Mine was fine for at least 15 years on a concrete slab and it showed no sign of rot whatsoever.

[CDP]

R500POP said:

spikeyhead said:

don't put a shed on a concrete slab,

Thick layer of gravel and a series of conrete fence posts is much easier to prepare and make level. Also allows some airflow under the shed to stop it rotting.

That's the purpose of the timber base on 2x2" batons

I didn't realise you were planning on putting it on batons, I thought it was one of those steel sheds without a floor. The gravel should be better as it allows better drainage. You can get a 1 ton bag of gravel for about £40 so you'll be spending very little too.

[mk1fan]

R500POP said:

£500, bugger me. I'll be doing it myself then!!!!!

I was hoping more like £300.

BUDGET £500. No harm in asking local builders for quotes just make sure you ask for everything you need them to do. And make sure you ask each builder for the same things.

Of course, doing it yourself will only cost you in time and money for materials.

[cpas]

As a previous reply, if you're going to make a timber 'raft' anyway, why not lay some small concrete slabs or blocks and use these to support the timber frame. This works perfectly well for my timber shed (7"x7") and is far cheaper and easier.