News

What Makes Concrete Cheaper?

Cost is at the forefront of our minds in almost everything we do. Whether it’s a contractor trying to budget for a big construction project or a homeowner trying to save a little on a DIY job, building projects can get pricey. As one of the most popular and useful building materials on the planet, concrete is sure to factor in to your project sooner or later. If you’re in the market for concrete, then price has probably crossed your mind – but what can make concrete cheaper? In this article, we’re looking at concrete costs and what might affect them….

The Role of Aggregates in Concrete

Concrete consists of three main ingredients: cement, water and aggregates. Your base concrete mix will have different properties depending on how these ingredients are proportioned. Aggregates are often seen as a filler material, but their role in concrete is more varied than that. In this article, we’re looking at how aggregates influence the end concrete mix, including the differences between aggregates of varying sizes, shapes and texture. Workability Arguably the most obvious aspect of a concrete mix influenced by aggregates. Workability refers to how easy concrete is to mix, transport, place and compact – or, how easy the concrete is to…

A Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide to Build Systems

One of the most crucial issues you have to contend with when starting a selfbuild project is settling on the type of build system you’ll use. Almost every single aspect of your project will be affected by this key decision, from cost to construction time, layout to energy efficiency and everything in between. Making the right choice, therefore, is of the utmost importance. Here, we’re going to be looking at the differences between the most popular build systems and highlighting their merits. Timber Frame Post and beam, conventional open or closed panel, or oak timber frames are just some of the…

The Ultimate How-To Guide For Self-builds

Self-build homes are becoming increasingly popular, not only because they allow those looking to buy the opportunity to build their dream home tailored to suit their requirements, but also because nowadays property prices are constantly on the rise, making attaining a reasonably priced home very difficult. This is especially true in areas like London where house prices are increasing at a drastic rate. Whether it’s to cut costs or to build something unique, there are many considerations you will need to bear in mind prior to committing to a self-build. Working out your budget and getting a mortgage Once you’ve…

Video Testimonial By Kevin Chapman

Testimonials & Reviews Neil Sullivan & Sons are always looking to update our reviews and testimonials to provide our customers with reliable information about the quality of our service. Watch our video testimonial here to find out more about how Kevin rated our services. We always aim to offer an impeccable standard of customer care alongside our concrete services, and the best way to ensure we are meeting up to our own standards is to ask our clients. With this in mind, we’ve put together a case study of one of our many satisfied clients, Haynes Building and Development. We…

Why is Concrete So Strong?

Concrete is a fantastic material that is used worldwide to create some of the most impressive, strong and long lasting structures. Suitable for a whole range of constructions, including pavements, houses, skyscrapers, dams and bridges, the strength of concrete very rarely fails to hold up. With concrete being so integral to our society, this month we’re looking into the question: why is concrete so strong? The production The most simple answer comes down to the production process: concrete is produced when a paste of portland cement and water is mixed with both small and large aggregates. When the paste and aggregates…

Aggregates Explained

In order to learn more about concrete and its properties, we must first take a look at aggregates to understand the role it plays in giving concrete it’s all-too familiar characteristics and properties, making it such a reliable material to work with. What are aggregates? Aggregates are rock or mineral fragments that come in all shapes and sizes. As a purely natural material, aggregates are differentiated by grades, such as 1-3mm, 2-5mm etc. that are all suitable for different uses – we’ll discuss this further later on in the article. Classified as either normal weight, lightweight or heavyweight, they are either…

Receiving your concrete delivery

If you’re undertaking a DIY project at home that involves laying new concrete, such as foundations for a shed or patio or a new garden path or driveway, there are a few things you will need to do before your concrete arrives! The first thing to check with your concrete suppliers is that you have enough space for them to park their truck safely. If not, you may need to hire a concrete pump to transport the concrete from the truck to the required location. Secondly, speak to them about your quality requirements – the last thing you want is to…

Welcome to our new blog!

The whole team here at Neil Sullivan and Sons are proud to welcome you to our brand new blog page! Here, we will share top tips, latest news and updates from both within the company, as well as the wider industry. We believe that frequent communication with our customers is key to managing a good relationship, so check back to this page regularly for our informative blog posts. In the meantime, have a browse through the rest of the Neil Sullivan and Sons website for more information about our full range of services.