Measure the length of the pad and cut two pieces of the steel wire mesh to length with a helper holding on to one end of the mesh roll. Measure and cut the pieces so that when in place, they edges will be 3 inches away from the form. Use bolt cutters to cut the mesh, and place it inside the form. To eliminate the mesh curl, flip the mesh sheet over, opposite the way it was rolled up. Overlap each mesh sheet and join them by twisting the cut ends together.
Space bricks out evenly under the mesh throughout the form.
Be sure the edges of the mesh are at least 3 inches away from the form. To determine the number of cubic yards of concrete you need, measure and multiply the width, length and depth of the excavated area inside the form, and then divide that number by 27. Add an additional 15 percent for normal waste, the variation of the slab thickness and the slight spreading of the forms. With this information, the ready-mix company is able to determine just how much concrete the truck would deliver to your site. If you'll be working the concrete into the form yourself, locate the cement truck chute to the farthest point of the pad.