Hey there! That’s a really common question, and honestly, the answer depends on the type of bench you’re looking at. I’ve helped lots of folks navigate this, and it can get a bit confusing because not all street benches are created equal.
For most of our standard heavy-duty street benches, the concrete base is actually not included. I know – you’d think it would be, right? But here’s why: shipping a bench with a pre-attached concrete block would be incredibly heavy and ridiculously expensive to freight. Plus, every installation site is different. Some people need a surface-mount bench where you bolt it directly onto an existing concrete pad, while others need an in-ground mount where you dig holes and set the posts in concrete yourself.
So generally, you have a few options. If you’re putting the bench on an already existing concrete sidewalk or plaza, you’d just choose the surface-mount style. That comes with metal base plates that you anchor down with bolts (those are usually sold separately too, by the way, just because different surfaces require different anchors). If you’re installing on grass or soil, you’ll likely want the in-ground mounting version. For that, we sell the steel legs that go down into the earth, and then you pour your own concrete to set them securely.
Now, there are some lighter “quick-install” benches, like those park-style ones with cast iron ends, where you can purchase optional concrete ballast blocks to just sit on the ground without digging. But even those blocks are typically additional because, again, adding 200 pounds of concrete to a shipment can triple the cost.
My best advice? When you’re ordering, always check the product details or the “mounting type” dropdown. If you see “in-ground mount,” plan on a trip to the hardware store for some quick-set concrete. If you see “surface mount,” just ensure you have a level concrete pad and grab the right anchor bolts. And if you’re ever unsure, reach out directly – we can help you figure out exactly what you need for your specific spot so there are no surprises on delivery day. Hope that clears things up!