Cheapest Way To Make A Hard-Standing?

[Elton]

I want to make a solid base, firm enough to jack a car up on when needed. At the moment, it's just gravel on top of soil. What would be the best way to do this cheaply?

[Ken Davison South Wales]

I want to make a solid base, firm enough to jack a car up on when needed. At the moment, it's just gravel on top of soil. What would be the best way to do this cheaply?

 

Concrete, get a mini mix, one cube metre would do a decent size base 100mm thick. Lay any old polythene over area to ensure the grout is not being lost, timber frame from second hand wood and away to go. 3m x 3m should give you a good working area.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Ken Davison South Wales

[chesters1]

i would do the reverse ,dig hole with sleeper side walls then drive car over it ,far safer than jacking up a car your own inspection pit , tiger trap ,emergency pond or grave

Edited February 21, 2010 by chesters1

[Worms]

i would do the reverse ,dig hole with sleeper side walls then drive car over it ,far safer than jacking up a car your own inspection pit , tiger trap ,emergency pond or grave

Until the soil collapses, and you end up in your own grave with your car as a headstone!

 

I'd go with Ken's idea and some decent axle stands.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Worms

[JV44]

If you are going to concrete a base old galvanised pipe or reinforcing steel rods if you can get hold of ant helps to strengthen the base esp if laid criss cross in the base before pouring the concrete .

[Elton]

The idea, eventually, is to put a large shed-type building over the base. However, having had a look at the prices of pre-made ones, I may be paying a mate to build me one!

 

I did think about incorporating a pit, but haven't looked at how to make one safely.

[Worms]

The idea, eventually, is to put a large shed-type building over the base. However, having had a look at the prices of pre-made ones, I may be paying a mate to build me one!

 

I did think about incorporating a pit, but haven't looked at how to make one safely.

That depends on how legal you want to be! Pits come under some quite strict regulations these days (surprise surprise) due to their ability to hold heavier than air gases and fluids. I looked at constructing one in my workshop and to be honest, I wish I hadn't wasted my time thinking of the idea at a residential premises!

[Worms]

An alternative to a pit or an expensive hydraulic car lift is the old VW style rolling frame. Bolt the wheel hubs to the correctly positioned arms and roll the car around in any old direction (drain the fluids out first though ) Find a mate who can weld properly and you could make your own to suit your vehicle!

[Ken Davison South Wales]

Create your base to the size you want but stick with 100mm thickness, use steel mesh but in my view avoid laying any metal sections directly on the ground as they will rust out from below and weaken the concrete. Support mesh mid-way in the slab ensuring 50mm cover to ends.

 

I would go with plain concrete if the slab is longer than 4m put a crack control joint at its central point, this can be done by cutting a 25mm to 50mm line across the slab with a grinder.

 

Make the slab to desired internal dims, at a later date you can purchase treated 100mm x 100mm treated post 4m long one for each corner and two central ones, six bags of post concrete holes approx 500mm deep good idea to put a 50mm thick of dry mix in the bottom to sit post on, place mix around post and making sure the post is plumb apply water, do not worry if tops of post are not level at this stage providing they are within 50mm to 100mm ish.

 

Next stage is roof, can supply easy build guides if required.

 

Next stage is the walls again some very easy methods and from basic cost to higher cost if you want it really cosy.

 

The beauty of doing in this way is the ability to do it bit by bit as cash becomes available, very easy to DIY and it is very easy to obtain a good exterior finish for little expenditure.

[barry luxton]

And just to put a little fly in the ointment, not 100% sure, i think building control regs changed last year, you either need to go through them when doing a drive or a hard stand or you will need to create one that allows water to permeate through as opposed to running off.