Shed/aviary base

[Jackmcgee]

HI,

Just looking for a bit of advice / guidance.
I'm build a new shed and aviary. The old shed has already gone and I've doug out ready for the new base. My original plan was to reuse the old slabs for the base to save money. I've done some working out today and I'm really not sure it will be! It's about 3m X 2m so I'll need 2x bags of MOT (wickes £135 + £35 delivery) then a bag of sharp sand plus 7 bags of cement (roughly). Would it be just as easy and maybe cheaper to get some free hardcore off FB then I'll just need 1X ballast £100 inc. delivery & 8 bags cement?
I'm also assuming concrete is stronger/better and is more likely to be OK in 15-20 years?
One other thing as you see the area backs onto my fence so I need a small retaining wall, would it be OK to use paving slabs on there ends? they are 16" by 16" so I was going to bury half of them in the ground on a mortar base?

Thanks in advance

 

[Wayners]

I just paid £40 plus £10 delivery for type 1.
Large bag is 850kg I think.
20kg bags are £3 each so expensive if you want a few..

Loose tip gravel and sand can be cheaper sometimes and local firm can normally deliver same day.
Large bags you might have to wait a few days.

Sharp sand is about £60 for 850kg.

So £40+£60+£10 delivery if you want large bags.

Yeah use paving for edgers.
SBR and cement to make a slurry if you want concrete to stick better


You could use concrete and polished off for smooth surface. Then seal