How to get your site ready for a ready mix concrete delivery

Start planning before you order

Ordering ready mix concrete is straightforward, but the success of the pour depends on what happens before the truck arrives. The delivery driver can only do so much - the rest is up to you. Taking a few hours to prepare can save you from a half-finished slab or a set of wasted materials. This article walks through the main steps to take before the mixer turns up at your gate.

Check your access for the delivery vehicle

The first thing to confirm is whether a ready mix truck can reach your pouring area. These vehicles are large and heavy, often carrying around six cubic metres of material. They need a solid, level route with a minimum width of about three metres and a turning circle wide enough for the truck to manoeuvre. Low overhanging branches, narrow gates, or soft ground can stop the driver before they even start. If your access is tight, speak to your supplier about the vehicle dimensions and ask whether a smaller mixer or a pump truck is an option. For jobs where the truck cannot get close enough, you may need to arrange a concrete pump or organise wheelbarrow access from the nearest hardstanding.

Prepare the pouring area

Once you know the truck can get in, turn your attention to where the concrete will go. The ground should be compacted, level, and free of loose debris. If you are pouring a slab, make sure the formwork is secure and the reinforcing mesh or rebar is in place. Check that the depth of the excavation matches your order volume - a common mistake is ordering too little or too much material because the hole was measured incorrectly. Use a simple peg-and-string setup to mark the finished height so you can guide the pour as it arrives.

If the concrete is going into a trench or a narrow strip, consider whether you will need to move it from the chute to the far end. A long-handled rake or a shovel should be ready, and if the pour is more than a few metres from the truck, you may need helpers with wheelbarrows. Plan the route from the truck to the pour area so that wheelbarrow access is clear and the ground is firm enough to carry a loaded barrow without sinking.

Think about timing and weather

Ready mix concrete has a limited working life. Once the water is added at the plant, the clock starts ticking. Most loads need to be placed within two hours, although this can vary with temperature and the mix design. On a hot day the concrete will stiffen faster, so you need to work quickly. On a cold day the set slows down, but frost can damage the surface if the concrete freezes before it has gained strength. Check the forecast before you order. If rain is expected, have plastic sheeting ready to cover the fresh pour. If the temperature is likely to drop below five degrees Celsius, ask your supplier about a cold-weather mix or accelerators.

Delivery time is another factor to plan around. Most suppliers will give you a window, but traffic and other jobs can cause delays. Make sure you and your helpers are on site and ready at the start of that window. Nothing is more frustrating than watching the truck arrive when you are still digging out the last corner.

Calculate your order volume accurately

Getting the volume right saves money and avoids waste. Measure the length, width, and depth of your pour area in metres, then multiply them together to get cubic metres. Add a small allowance for spillage and uneven ground - around five to ten percent is typical. If you are unsure, most suppliers are happy to help you check your figures over the phone. Ordering too little means a cold joint if you have to order a second load. Ordering too much means you will need to find somewhere to put the surplus, or pay for disposal.

Arrange help on the day

Pouring concrete is a team job. One person should direct the chute while others rake, shovel, and tamp the material into place. For a standard driveway or foundation slab, three or four people can manage a small load. For larger pours, consider hiring a concrete pump and a small crew. The pump allows the concrete to be placed exactly where it is needed, reducing the physical effort and speeding up the work. If you are using wheelbarrows, have at least two people running barrows and one person at the pour area spreading the concrete.

Make sure everyone knows their role before the truck arrives. A short briefing on the day can prevent confusion. Agree on hand signals so the driver can hear you over the engine noise. Keep children and pets well away from the work area.

Set up your tools and materials

Have everything you need ready before the truck appears on the road. You will need a wheelbarrow, a shovel, a rake, a tamping tool or a vibrating poker for consolidation, a straightedge or screed board for levelling, and a float or trowel for finishing. A hose with a spray nozzle is useful for dampening the formwork and the ground just before the pour, which stops the dry ground from sucking moisture out of the concrete. A bucket of water and a brush will help you clean tools before the concrete sets.

If you are ordering a specific strength grade such as C10, C30, or C40, confirm with the supplier that the mix is suitable for your application. C10 is often used for non-structural work like kerb bedding, while C30 and C40 are common for driveways and foundations. The supplier can advise if you are unsure.

Manage traffic and safety

If your site is near a road or a shared driveway, think about traffic management. The delivery truck will need to park for twenty to thirty minutes, sometimes longer. Let neighbours know in advance if the truck will block access. Put out warning signs if the pour area is close to a public footpath or a road. Wear steel-toe boots, gloves, and eye protection. Concrete is alkaline and can cause burns if it sits on the skin for any length of time. Have a supply of clean water nearby in case anyone needs to rinse off splashes.

One of the main advantages of ordering ready mix is that the material is mixed to a consistent standard and can be concrete brought directly to site without you having to mix it yourself. This saves time and ensures a uniform quality that is hard to achieve with bagged mixes. However, that convenience relies on your preparation being thorough.

Stay with the pour from start to finish

Once the concrete starts flowing, stay with it. Do not walk away to fetch a forgotten tool. Watch for segregation - if the mix looks too wet or the aggregate is separating, adjust your placement technique or ask the driver to slow the discharge. Work the concrete into the corners of the formwork and tap the sides to release air pockets. Screed the surface level as you go, and do not leave a section half-finished for more than a few minutes, or you will get a visible cold joint.

After the pour is complete, cover the concrete with damp hessian or polythene sheeting to slow the evaporation and prevent cracking. Leave the forms in place for at least 24 hours, longer in cold weather. Keep the surface moist for the first few days while the concrete cures.

Whether you are a seasoned builder or a first-time DIYer, the same rule applies: the work you do before the truck arrives determines the quality of the finished slab. Having concrete brought directly to site is a huge time-saver, but the site itself must be ready. Measure twice, prepare the ground, gather your team, and you will be set for a smooth pour.

For professional advice and a wide range of ready mix grades, Stacey Concrete Ltd, based at Ryder Point Works, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4HE, UK, can be reached on +44 1629 825188. Stacey Concrete is a Derbyshire-based supplier of ready-mix concrete grades C10, C30, C40 and more with delivery across the East Midlands.

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