Lay 0.5M2 of concrete - get delivered or mix myself?

[happypeter]

Hi,
I need to raise up a concrete floor by about 600mm, I've worked out I' need 0.5m2 of concrete for the job.

I'm thinking of getting ready mixed but worried I might not be able to level it all out in time before it goes off (an hour or so?).

If I hire a mixer and do it myself can I then just take my time? doing it bit by bit

Any pointers much appreciated

 

[lostinthelight]

Only 1/2 dozen mixes in a belle mixer, should only take an hour...thats if it 1/2m³ and not 5m³ so could you clarify your quantities incase Ive read it wrong

 

[happypeter]

My mistake! I need to raise the floor by 60mm NOT 600mm Good job I hadn't called the concrete people

so 1/2m3, A 3M X 2.5M room by 60mm. An online calculator says I need around 40 X 25kg bags which does sound like a lot of mixing.

 

[stuart45]

For 0.5 metre you need a bulk bag.

 

[Notch7]

Do it in a mixer, don't make it too sloppy then you can tamp it as you go.

As lostinthelight says it's around half a dozen mixes. if you allowed 15 mins a mix that's only 2 hours or so incl cleaning up.

A volumetric truck might be expensive for that small a qty, if they will even do it.
I would get a price through, as you have the mixer hire cost etc.
If you are quite fit you could wheelbarrow the qty quite quickly, well before it goes off. You need to know what waiting time the concrete co will allow, it won't be much.

 

[happypeter]

Do it in a mixer

Thanks I will, think there's less chance me buggering it up!

 

[Old Salt]

Buy a mixer off ebay and sell it when your finished. I bought a new mixer 5 years ago and its been used by all the family since. Secondhand prices are still near to what I paid.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

If you've got another project to get rid if the spare you might find it cheaper to get a full cube from one of the readymix type wagons. Half a cube will be pricey from a volumetric truck, if you've got a mixer and a friend and decent access then doing it in the mixer will be fine (one mixing and delivering, the other spreading and tamping)