When you plan to put concrete down somewhere in your yard, there are two basic ways you can go about it. The first option is to order bags of dry concrete and then mix the concrete yourself. The other option is to order ready-mix concrete. The ready-mix concrete is delivered to your place already mixed and ready to use, or it is mixed on-site by professionals. Both approaches have their own distinct advantages, but ready-mix concrete does tend to be the better choice. Here are the key advantages it tends to offer.

1. It's formulated specifically for your project

When you order ready-mix concrete, you tell the concrete company what you're going to use the concrete for. You'll tell them, for instance, whether you're building a patio, pouring some bases for fence posts, or replacing a walkway. Based on the information you provide, the concrete company will create a specific formula of concrete to suit your needs. They may, for instance, use more sand for texture. Or they may use larger stones to give the concrete a tougher consistency. The concrete you end up with will be better suited to its purpose and will last longer, with less wear, than bagged concrete.

2. It will be well-mixed

When you buy bagged concrete for a small project, you have to figure out how to mix it. Most people end up doing this in either a bucket, a wheelbarrow, or a portable concrete mixer they rent from a home improvement store. With all of these options available to you, it can be hard to get the concrete mixed evenly. This can result in uneven curing and wet patches in your concrete. When you buy ready-mix concrete, on the other hand, it is mixed in powerful, professional equipment that does an even, consistent job.

3. You'll get the right amount

When you order ready-mix concrete, you typically give the concrete company the dimensions of the space you're going to fill, and they determine how much concrete you need. This way, you end up with enough, and you don't end up with too much waste. If you were to buy bagged concrete, it would be much easier to over-estimate or under-estimate your needs.

Ready-mix concrete does tend to be a better option than bagged concrete. If you have a concrete company near you that offers ready-mix concrete, make that your preferred, go-to option for your next concrete project.