What to Confirm Before Ordering Concrete Delivery

Start with the basics: access, volume, and timing

Ordering concrete for a project involves more than just picking a grade and placing an order. Before you call a supplier, there are several details you need to confirm to ensure the delivery goes smoothly. The first thing to check is site access. Concrete delivery trucks are large and heavy, typically carrying up to 8 cubic metres. You need to make sure the truck can reach the pour area without difficulty. Look at the width of your gate, the turning radius of your driveway, and any low-hanging branches or overhead cables. If the truck cannot get close enough, you may need a pump or wheelbarrow access, which adds time and cost. Measure the distance from the road to the pour point. If it is more than about 50 metres, a pump might be necessary, and that requires a separate arrangement.

Another critical factor is the order volume. Concrete is sold by the cubic metre, and you need to calculate exactly how much you need. Over-ordering wastes money, but under-ordering can be worse because you cannot just order a small top-up later. The second load may not match the first exactly in colour or consistency, and it will not bond as well if it arrives after the first pour has started to set. Use a concrete calculator online or ask your supplier for help. For slabs, multiply length by width by depth in metres to get cubic metres. Add 10% for spillage and uneven ground. For footings, the calculation is similar but you may need to account for reinforcement. Do not rely on guesswork. A small error can lead to a failed pour and a wasted day.

Confirm your delivery time and vehicle clearance

Delivery time is another detail that often gets overlooked. Ready-mix concrete has a limited working life, usually around two hours from batching. If the truck arrives too early, the concrete may start to set before you finish placing it. If it arrives too late, you may be working in poor light or bad weather. Agree a precise arrival window with your supplier and have your team ready. Make sure the ground is prepared: forms in place, reinforcement tied, and any sub-base compacted. The driver will not wait long if the site is not ready. Some suppliers charge a waiting fee after a certain period, so it pays to be organised.

Vehicle clearance is a related point that many people forget. A concrete truck is about 2.5 metres wide and around 8 metres long, and it can weigh up to 32 tonnes when fully loaded. Check the height of any bridges, tunnels, or low-hanging tree branches along the route to your site. If the access road is narrow, consider whether a smaller truck can be used. Some suppliers offer smaller mixers for restricted access, but these carry less concrete, so you may need multiple loads. Discuss this with your supplier beforehand to avoid a situation where the truck cannot get through.

Site access and the pour area

Site access is not just about the truck reaching your property. It is also about the path from the truck to the pour area. If the concrete has to be moved a long distance, you will need wheelbarrow access. Wheelbarrowing concrete is hard work and slow, so plan for extra labour and time. The ground must be firm enough to walk on without sinking, and the route should be clear of obstacles. If the pour area is at the bottom of a slope or behind a building, you may need a pump. A concrete pump can move material over distances of 100 metres or more, but it adds cost and requires the pump truck to be positioned close to the pour. Check with your supplier about pump hire and whether they can arrange it.

Another consideration is the slope of the pour area itself. Concrete flows, so if the ground slopes steeply, you may need to build temporary dams or use a stiffer mix to keep it in place. The supplier can advise on the right mix for sloped sites, but you need to flag this when you order. Also, think about the weather. Rain can ruin a fresh pour by washing out the cement and weakening the surface. If heavy rain is forecast, postpone the pour. Cold weather slows the setting time, so you may need to use a winter mix or cover the concrete with insulation blankets. Hot weather accelerates setting, so you might need a retarder added to the mix. Your supplier can adjust the mix for these conditions, but you need to tell them in advance.

Order volume and traffic management

Order volume is something you should confirm not just in cubic metres but also in terms of the number of loads. A standard truck carries about 6 to 8 cubic metres. If you need more than that, the delivery will come in multiple loads. You need to ensure that the first load does not start to set before the last load arrives. For large pours, a concrete pump and a steady flow of trucks are essential. Talk to your supplier about the logistics: how many trucks they can send, how often they arrive, and whether they can keep a consistent supply. For small jobs, a single truck is fine, but you still need to be ready to place the concrete quickly.

Traffic management is another detail that matters if your site is on a busy road or near a junction. A concrete truck blocking the road can cause problems. You may need to arrange a temporary traffic light or a permit from the local council. Check with your supplier whether they have experience with your area and can advise on what is needed. If the delivery is for a new-build estate or a large extension, there may be specific entry and exit routes for construction vehicles. Confirm these with the site manager or the main contractor.

What to do with the concrete once it arrives

When the truck arrives, the driver will ask where you want the concrete. If you are using a pump, the pump operator will take over. If you are pouring directly from the chute, make sure the chute can reach the centre of the pour area. The driver may be able to move the truck a little to adjust the drop point, but they cannot reposition drastically. Have your tools ready: a wheelbarrow, a shovel, a rake, a float, and a trowel. You also need a plan for finishing the surface. If you are laying a slab, you will need to level it and trowel it smooth. If you are pouring footings, you need to ensure the concrete gets around the reinforcement and fills the form completely. Work methodically from one end to the other, and do not let the concrete sit too long before you finish.

One phrase that sums up the importance of preparation is "ready mix for prepared sites". This is not just a slogan; it is a practical reality. The supplier delivers the concrete, but the site must be ready to receive it. That means the ground is prepared, the forms are in place, the reinforcement is tied, and the team is standing by. If you order ready mix for prepared sites, the process goes smoothly. If the site is not ready, you will waste time, money, and material. The second use of this idea is simply this: when you order ready mix for prepared sites, you avoid the stress of last-minute adjustments and the risk of a failed pour.

Final checks before the delivery day

A few days before delivery, confirm the order with your supplier. Double-check the mix grade, the quantity, the delivery time, and the site address. If you need a pump, confirm that it is booked. If you need wheelbarrow access, make sure the route is clear and the ground is firm. Check the weather forecast and have a backup plan. If the pour cannot proceed because of rain or frost, you will need to reschedule. Some suppliers charge a cancellation fee if you cancel late, so it is better to postpone early if the conditions are wrong.

On the day of delivery, have someone on site to direct the driver. Make sure the access route is clear of vehicles, bins, or other obstacles. If the truck has to reverse, have a spotter to guide them. Keep children and pets away from the area. Concrete is heavy and can cause injury if it gets on skin or eyes. Wear gloves, boots, and eye protection. Have water nearby to wash off splashes, but do not use water to thin the concrete. That weakens it. Follow the supplier's instructions for adding water if the mix is too stiff. Usually, a small amount can be added on site, but only if the supplier agrees.

Stacey Concrete Ltd, based at Ryder Point Works, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4HE, UK, and contactable on +44 1629 825188, is a Derbyshire-based supplier of ready-mix concrete grades C10, C30, C40 and more with delivery across the East Midlands. Their team can advise on the details covered here: site access, order volume, delivery time, and the right mix for your project. Confirming these details before you order ensures a smooth delivery and a successful pour.

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