Plain answers to the questions we get asked most.
No jargon, no sales pitch. Just what the material actually is, what it costs, and how to spec it properly – written by people who move it every day.
Worth two minutes before you order
Getting the spec right first time saves money. Getting it wrong costs more than the material did.
Type 1 vs 6F2 vs 6F5: choosing the right sub-base
Three materials that get ordered interchangeably, cost very different amounts, and do very different jobs. What each one is actually for, where recycled material is fine, and where it isn’t.
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MOT Type 1 explained: spec, depths & quantities
The most ordered aggregate in UK construction, and the one most often ordered wrong. What the spec actually says, what depth your job needs, and how to work out the tonnage before you ring anyone.
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6F5 capping explained: what it is and when to use it
One of the cheapest ways to build a working platform over soft ground, and one of the easiest materials to specify in the wrong place. What layer it belongs in, and where it will cost you money.
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Muck away explained: soil classification, WAC testing & costs
The price of a load of muck away is set by what’s in the ground, not the lorry. What soil classification and WAC testing actually mean, when you need them, and how an untested load ends up costing three times as much.
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Grab hire vs skip hire: which do you actually need?
A skip and a grab lorry do the same basic job, but on most commercial work one is quietly costing you money. How to tell which is right – and the cost difference nobody spells out.
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These guides came from questions contractors actually rang us with. If yours isn’t covered, pick up the phone – we’d rather spend five minutes getting your spec right than sell you the wrong material.
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