Recently I needed a relatively small amount of concrete for flooring a shed, one of those load sizes that falls between small and not too small. So I cast around, thinking I would try to borrow a mixer, buy the materials and do the job myself.
The sums involved were pretty stirring stuff, if you’ll pardon the pun, until somebody tipped me off about Shropshire Mini-Mix who specialise in supplying more modest loads of concrete, deliver it to as near your site as they can get and stay with you until the full load is off the lorry. None of this dropping the whole load and scarpering off down the drive to the next job, leaving you battling with a rapidly drying heap of the stuff.
Furthermore, on arrival the driver, obviously moved by my fragile appearance, offered to help unload with my spare barrow, gave advice and even helped level the service – a real mate.
But wait for it. The cost of this whole brilliant service, which arrived precisely on time as booked, came to exactly half the most expensive quote I had for the materials, unmixed, and with extra for delivery. Even the cheapest quote only equalled Mini-mix, still leaving hours of labour, finding a mixer, etc. Plus no advice or offer to help.
Their telephone number is 01939 250986. And no, I am not on commission. But if they were a quoted company I would certainly be having a word with my broker.