Plan excavation, concrete, gravel, paving and finished levels with checked examples and free Handyman Hub calculators.
Groundworks & Patios
How Much Sand and Cement Do I Need for a Patio? A Practical Mix Calculator Guide
Working out sand and cement for a patio is more than multiplying the patio area by a guessed bag count. The mix depends on whether you are bedding slabs on a mortar bed, pointing joints, or both. ...
How Many Paving Slabs Do I Need? A Practical Patio Calculator Guide
Patio slab quantities are easy to underestimate because the visible area is only part of the order. Slab size, joint gaps, cutting around edges, steps, borders and waste all affect the final count. ...
How Much MOT Type 1 Do I Need? A Practical Aggregate Calculator Guide
MOT Type 1 is a popular sub-base for patios, paths, driveways and small building bases, but ordering it by eye is an expensive way to start a project. The quantity depends on the footprint, the ...
How Much Hardcore Do I Need for a Patio? A Practical Aggregate Calculator Guide
Patio projects often go wrong before the first slab is laid because the sub-base is guessed rather than measured. Hardcore, crushed concrete, MOT Type 1 and other compactable aggregates are sold by ...
Pipe Water Capacity and Fill Time: Bore, Length and Measured Flow
Calculate pipe water capacity from actual internal bore and length, then estimate fill time from measured flow with checked examples and clear limits.
Fence Materials Checklist: Runs, Posts, Panels and Gates
Build a fence material list from a measured run sketch. Check panel coverage, shared posts, gate openings, stock lengths and separate concrete quantities.
Artificial Grass Ordering: Roll Width, Seams and Cut Waste
Compare artificial-grass roll layouts before ordering. See why the same 18-by-12-foot area can require 270 or 360 square feet of turf.
Ordering Sod: Measure an Irregular Lawn and Allow for Cuts
Measure sod for an irregular lawn using rectangles, triangles and deductions. Check cutting allowance, roll coverage and whole-pallet rounding.
How Much Topsoil Do You Need? Depth, Volume and Delivery
Turn measured area and added soil depth into cubic yards. Compare variable depths, whole bags, bulk order increments and delivery assumptions.
Raised Bed Materials: Lumber Cuts and Inside Soil Volume
Plan rectangular raised-bed lumber cuts and soil quantities. Follow an 8-by-4-foot example with actual board thickness, kerf and fill depth.
Gabion Fill Quantities: Basket Volume, Stone and Delivery
Calculate gabion basket volume, distinguish facing stone from core fill, and check bulk density, purchase rounding and delivery weight.
French Drain Materials: Trench, Stone, Pipe and Fabric
Measure a French drain material order with a checked trench example. Separate excavation, aggregate fill, pipe displacement, fabric and discharge piping.