Maximising Efficiency with Ready Mix Concrete Deliveries

Ready mix concrete can make your job much easier, but only if you get it right. Poor planning leads to delays, extra costs, and concrete that goes off before you can use it. Here’s how to make ready mix deliveries work perfectly for your project.

Book Early and Be Specific

Don’t wait until the last minute to order concrete. Good suppliers get busy, especially during building season. Book at least a week ahead for small jobs, longer for big pours.

Tell your supplier exactly what you need. How much concrete, what strength, when you want it delivered. Be clear about your site access too. Can a big truck get close? Are there height restrictions or narrow gates?

The more details you give, the better service you’ll get. Suppliers can plan properly and bring the right equipment.

Get Your Site Ready First

Ready mix waits for no one. The truck arrives with concrete that’s already setting. You need to be completely ready.

Have your forms built and checked. Make sure they’re strong enough and properly aligned. Fix any problems before the concrete arrives, not after.

Clear the delivery route. Move cars, tools, and materials out of the way. The truck driver needs clear access to get close to your work area.

Set up your tools and have your team ready. Concrete doesn’t wait whilst you hunt for a float or argue about who does what.

Plan Your Pour Carefully

Work out exactly where you want the concrete placed. Most trucks can reach about 3 metres from where they park. Beyond that, you’ll need wheelbarrows or pumping.

Think about the order of your pour. Start at the furthest point and work back towards the truck. This way you don’t have to carry concrete over finished areas.

Plan for the right amount of people. You’ll need someone to guide the chute, others to spread and level the concrete, and someone to do the finishing work.

Time Your Delivery Right

Concrete has a working time of about 90 minutes from mixing. After that, it starts to go off and becomes hard to work with.

Schedule deliveries so you can use the concrete quickly. Don’t order it for 9am if you won’t be ready until 11am. The concrete will be setting before you start.

Allow enough time between loads if you need multiple deliveries. Most sites can handle about 3-4 cubic metres per hour. Order your next load accordingly.

Check Access Routes

Concrete trucks are heavy and need good access. They weigh about 30 tonnes when loaded. That’s too much for some driveways or soft ground.

Walk the route the truck will take. Look for overhead cables, low bridges, or tight corners. A stuck truck costs time and money.

If access is tricky, consider having the truck park on the road and using wheelbarrows or a pump to move the concrete. It’s often cheaper than getting a truck unstuck.

Communicate with Your Driver

The truck driver knows about concrete and deliveries. Talk to them when they arrive. They can often suggest the best way to discharge the concrete.

If you’re not ready, tell the driver straight away. Don’t let them sit there with the drum turning whilst you fix problems. That concrete is setting and you’ll pay for the delay.

Most drivers are helpful and experienced. Use their knowledge to make the job go smoothly.

Handle the Concrete Properly

Concrete comes out of the truck quite stiff. Don’t add water to make it easier to work with. This weakens the concrete badly.

Use the concrete as it comes. If it seems too stiff, the mix might be wrong. Talk to your supplier about adjusting future deliveries.

Work the concrete into place with rakes and shovels. Don’t over-work it as this brings water to the surface and weakens the top layer.

Keep Things Moving

Once you start pouring, keep going. Don’t take long breaks or let the concrete sit around. It’s setting all the time and becomes harder to work with.

Have a system for moving and placing the concrete. Everyone should know their job. Good teamwork makes pours go much faster.

If you’re doing a big pour, coordinate multiple truck deliveries carefully. You want each truck to arrive just as you’re ready for more concrete.

Deal with Weather

Hot weather makes concrete set faster. Work early in the morning if possible. Keep the concrete damp after placing it. Plastic sheeting or wet hessian helps stop it drying too quickly.

Cold weather slows setting but can cause other problems. Concrete can freeze before it gets strong enough. In winter, you might need special mixes or protection.

Rain is concrete’s worst enemy when it’s fresh. Don’t pour in heavy rain. Light rain after the concrete has firmed up is actually helpful.

Know What You’re Ordering

Different jobs need different concrete strengths. A garden path doesn’t need the same mix as a driveway that will carry cars.

Standard mixes work for most domestic jobs. C20 concrete is fine for paths and patios. C25 or C30 is better for driveways and areas with heavy loads.

Tell your supplier what the concrete is for. They can recommend the right mix and make sure it meets building regulations.

Manage Multiple Loads

Big jobs often need several truck loads. The key is timing them so each truck arrives just as you need more concrete.

Most trucks carry about 6-8 cubic metres. Work out how long it takes your team to place this much concrete, then schedule the next truck accordingly.

Leave a bit of overlap time between trucks. It’s better to wait a few minutes than run out of concrete halfway through a pour.

Have a Backup Plan

Things sometimes go wrong. Trucks break down, weather changes, or site problems crop up. Have a plan for these situations.

Know what you’ll do if a truck can’t get close enough. Have wheelbarrows ready or know who to call for pumping services.

Think about where you can dump concrete if you can’t use it all. Having a spare area prepared can save expensive waste charges.

Work with Your Supplier

Build a good relationship with a reliable supplier like National Mini Mix. They get to know your needs and can offer better service.

Good suppliers will work with you on timing and help solve problems. They want your jobs to go well because happy customers come back.

Don’t just go for the cheapest price. Reliable delivery and good service are worth paying a bit extra for.

Learn from Each Job

Keep notes about what worked and what didn’t. How long did the pour take? Were there access problems? Did you order the right amount?

Use this information to plan better next time. Experience makes you much more efficient at managing concrete deliveries.

Talk to your team after each job. They might have ideas for improving the process next time.

Make It Work for You

Ready mix concrete is a great tool when used properly. It saves time, reduces waste, and often costs less than mixing your own.

The key is good planning and preparation. Get these right and your concrete deliveries will be smooth and efficient.

Take time to plan each job properly. It’s much easier than trying to fix problems when the concrete truck is waiting outside.