At STS Site Testing Services (Nationwide) Limited, we have two decades of experience in the civil engineering and construction industry, becoming one of the leading companies in the UK in the area of site investigation services. Our full scope covers cube testing, slump testing, coring, non-destructive survey and floor testing.
Whatever stage your project is at — a pour booked for next week, or a structure with no records at all — we can tell you which test applies, get an engineer to site, and get you a certified result.
Our full range of services adheres to the latest British and European standards, with fixed rates agreed before we attend and results delivered without the wait.
Contact UsMost competitors list every test they offer. Almost none help you work out which one your situation actually calls for — so start here.
Not sure which applies to your project? Call us and describe the job, and we'll tell you straight.
Call 07301 592141| Your situation | The test | When it happens | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| New pour, need strength evidence | Cube testing | Sampled at the pour; results at 7 & 28 days | Certified compressive strength result |
| Concrete arriving on site, checking consistency | Slump test | At the truck, before discharge | Immediate pass or fail against the spec |
| Existing structure, no records or cubes | Core testing | Any time | In-situ strength of the concrete in place |
| Existing structure, cannot take cores | Rebound hammer survey | Any time | Comparative surface strength across an area |
| Need to locate rebar or confirm slab thickness | Covermeter / GPR survey | Any time | Cover depth, bar layout, slab thickness |
| Floor about to receive coverings | Moisture / RH testing | Before flooring is laid | Whether the slab is dry enough |
Most projects need more than one test — we can usually cover several in a single site visit.
The default method for proving compressive strength in the UK. Cubes are cast on site from the actual pour, cured under controlled conditions, then crushed in the laboratory. A 7-day result gives an early indication; the 28-day result is the compliance figure. Read the full guide to concrete cube testing.
Measures the consistency and workability of fresh concrete. A cone is filled, rodded and lifted, and the slump is measured against the spec. If it fails, the load can be rejected before it's placed.
For existing structures with no cube records, or where a cube result is disputed. Cores are cut from the structure, prepared and tested for in-situ strength — the usual route when a cube fails.
Also known as a Schmidt hammer or concrete test hammer survey. Non-destructive and fast — good for comparing strength across a large area, though it gives a comparative reading rather than a certified figure.
Used to locate reinforcement, measure cover depth, confirm slab thickness, or find voids and services before cutting or drilling. Fully non-destructive.
Moisture and relative humidity testing before floor coverings go down, so you know the slab is dry enough before it's too late. See concrete floor testing for the full range.
Most projects need both — we handle the handover between them, including collection, so you don't have to manage two suppliers.
Slump testing, sampling and cube casting, rebound hammer survey, covermeter/GPR survey and moisture testing — immediate or same-day answers.
Cube crushing, core testing, and anything needing controlled curing or calibrated compression equipment — certified results, issued to the project record.
Results are accepted by Building Control, the structural engineer and the project's QA process because they're produced to these standards, by engineers who work to them daily.
| Standard | Covers |
|---|---|
| BS EN 206 | Specification, performance, production and conformity of concrete |
| BS 8500-1 / -2:2023 | The complementary British Standard to BS EN 206 — how UK concrete is specified |
| BS EN 12350-2:2019 | Testing fresh concrete — the slump test |
| BS EN 12390-1:2021 | Shape, dimensions and requirements for specimens and moulds |
| BS EN 12390-3:2019 | Compressive strength of test specimens — the cube crushing standard |
| BS EN 12504-2:2021 | Non-destructive testing — determination of rebound number |
Every certificate is built to be usable without a follow-up call — everything below is included as standard.
Use this to interview any supplier — including us.
"I have used STS on various schemes over the last few years and have always found them to be professional, give great service and will go out of their way to accommodate should difficult situations arise."
Concrete testing is the process of checking fresh or hardened concrete against a specification, using methods such as cube crushing, slump testing, coring or non-destructive survey. It confirms the concrete supplied or built matches what was designed.
A slump test measures the consistency of fresh concrete before it's placed. A cone is filled with concrete, lifted, and the amount the concrete slumps is measured against the specified range to check the mix is workable and correct.
Strength is usually proven by casting cubes on site and crushing them in a laboratory at 7 and 28 days. Where cubes weren't taken, cores can be cut from the structure, or a rebound hammer can give a comparative surface reading.
The 7-day result is an early indicator of how the pour is curing, typically reaching roughly 65–70% of design strength. The 28-day result is the figure checked against the specified grade for compliance.
Sampling frequency depends on the volume placed and whether it's initial or continuous production under BS EN 206 and BS 8500. Your engineer will confirm the correct rate for your specific pour and specification.
Yes. Existing concrete with no cube records can be assessed by coring, rebound hammer survey or covermeter/GPR, depending on whether the structure can be marked or drilled.
Cost depends on the test, the number of samples and site location. We work to fixed rates rather than day rates, so the figure you're quoted is the figure you pay.
We hold engineers and equipment across the UK, so mobilisation is typically fast. Tell us your location and pour date and we'll confirm exact timing when you enquire.
Engineers across the UK, fixed rates, fast results. We'll price it and confirm an engineer for your date.
Get a Quote
Made with Pagelive