Getting Ready for a Ready Mix Concrete Delivery

Plan Your Access Before the Truck Arrives

The arrival of a ready mix concrete truck is a timed event. Once the drum starts turning, the clock is running. Unlike materials you can stack and use later, concrete has a working life measured in hours. The difference between a smooth pour and a costly delay often comes down to what you did the day before. Preparing your site properly ensures the concrete brought directly to site is placed before it stiffens, and that the driver can get in, discharge, and leave without problems.

Start by examining the route the delivery truck will take. Ready mix trucks are heavy, typically carrying around six to eight cubic metres of material. They need a solid, level path. Soft ground, steep gradients, or tight turns can stop the vehicle or tip it. Look at the entrance to your site. Is there enough width for a large vehicle? Are there low-hanging branches, overhead cables, or narrow gateways? Trim back any obstructions and mark the route clearly. If the ground is soft after rain, consider laying track mats or temporary hardstanding to prevent the truck from sinking.

Check the Pouring Area

The point where the concrete will come out of the chute needs to be within reach of the truck. A standard ready mix truck can extend its chute perhaps three or four metres, but that is not always enough to reach the pouring area. If your foundation or slab is set back from the road, you may need a pump or a wheelbarrow run. For smaller jobs, wheelbarrow access is the simplest solution. Make sure there is a clear, level path from the truck to the pour area, wide enough for a loaded barrow. Remove any trip hazards or obstacles. If the ground is uneven, lay planks or plywood sheets to create a smooth route.

For larger pours, a concrete pump may be needed. The pump truck requires its own access and set-up space. Confirm with your supplier that the pump can reach every corner of the formwork. Have a hose path planned that avoids sharp bends and keeps the concrete flowing. If you are placing concrete directly from the chute, ensure the truck can reverse close enough to the pour area. Mark the position where the driver should stop.

Order the Right Volume and Grade

Ordering concrete is not a guessing game. Measure your formwork carefully and calculate the volume in cubic metres. Add a small allowance for spillage and uneven ground, typically five to ten percent. Ordering too little means a cold joint and a weak spot. Ordering too much leaves you paying for material you cannot use. If you are unsure about the calculation, ask your supplier to check your figures. Most suppliers will help you avoid a mistake that can ruin a pour.

The grade of concrete matters just as much as the volume. For a garden path or a shed base, a C10 mix may be adequate. For a garage floor or a driveway that will take vehicle traffic, C30 or C40 is more appropriate. Discuss the intended use with your supplier and let them recommend the right strength. Do not assume that a higher number is always better; a mix that is too strong can be harder to work and may crack if the ground moves.

Prepare the Formwork and Sub-base

Before the concrete arrives, your formwork should be complete and secure. Check that the shutters are level, braced, and watertight. Any gaps will leak grout and leave honeycombing in the finished surface. Compact the sub-base and lay a damp-proof membrane if required. If the weather is hot and dry, dampen the sub-base and the formwork with a hose. This stops the dry ground from sucking moisture out of the concrete, which can cause cracking. If rain is forecast, have covers ready. Fresh concrete and heavy rain do not mix well.

Reinforcement should be in place and supported on chairs or blocks so it sits at the correct depth within the slab. Do not let the mesh or rebar rest on the ground; it will not provide any strength if it is lying at the bottom of the pour. Walk the entire area and check everything is as it should be. Once the truck arrives, there will be no time for adjustments.

Organise Your Team and Tools

A concrete pour needs hands. Make sure you have enough people on site to spread, tamp, and finish the concrete before it begins to set. The number of people depends on the volume and the complexity of the pour. For a small slab, two or three people may be enough. For a large foundation, you may need five or more. Assign roles in advance: one person directs the chute, one spreads, one levels, and one finishes. Have a standby person ready to fetch tools or water.

Gather all the tools you will need: shovels, rakes, tamping beams, floats, a straightedge, a bull float, and a trowel. Check that your concrete mixer or vibrator is working if you are using one. Have a wheelbarrow and a strong barrow board ready if you are moving concrete by hand. Do not forget personal protective equipment: gloves, wellies, and eye protection. Concrete is caustic and can burn skin if left in contact too long.

Manage the Delivery Time and Traffic

Ready mix concrete is batched to order and delivered on a schedule. The delivery time is set when you place the order, and the supplier expects you to be ready at that moment. If you delay the driver, you may be charged for waiting time, and the concrete will start to stiffen in the drum. Plan your day so that everything is prepared an hour before the truck is due. That gives you a buffer for last-minute checks.

If your site is on a busy road or a narrow lane, consider traffic management. A concrete truck blocking the road for half an hour can cause disruption. Arrange for a banksman to guide the driver and warn other road users. If possible, schedule the delivery for a quiet time of day. Let neighbours know that a truck will be arriving, especially if access is shared. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Watch the Weather

Concrete behaves differently in different weather. On a hot day, the water in the mix evaporates faster, shortening the working time. Have a spray bottle or a misting hose ready to keep the surface damp while you finish. On a cold day, hydration slows down. The concrete will take longer to gain strength, and frost can damage it if it freezes before it has set. If temperatures are near freezing, ask your supplier about accelerators or winter-grade mixes. Cover the pour with insulating blankets if a frost is forecast overnight.

Wind also matters. A strong wind can dry the surface of fresh concrete as fast as the sun can. If the wind is blowing, erect windbreaks or work quickly and cover the slab as soon as it is finished. The key is to be aware of the conditions and adapt. A pour that goes well in calm weather can become a nightmare in a gale.

Receive the Load and Start Pouring

When the truck arrives, check the delivery ticket. Confirm that the grade, volume, and mix match what you ordered. The driver will ask you to sign, but do not sign until you are satisfied. Once you sign, you accept the load. If something is wrong, speak up before the concrete is discharged. The driver can adjust the mix with a superplasticiser if it is too stiff, or add water if it is too dry, but only within limits. Too much water will weaken the concrete, so trust the driver's judgment.

Direct the chute to the furthest point of the pour and work back towards the truck. This way, you do not have to walk through freshly placed concrete. Spread the concrete evenly and vibrate or tamp it to remove air pockets. Work steadily and do not rush. The concrete brought directly to site has a limited window of workability, but that window is long enough if you are organised. Keep an eye on the surface and start finishing as soon as the water sheen disappears.

After the Pour

Once the concrete is placed, the work is not over. Curing is the process of keeping the concrete moist and at a stable temperature so it can gain strength. For most slabs, this means covering the surface with plastic sheeting or a curing compound, or keeping it damp with a fine spray. Do not let it dry out in the first few days. Cure for at least three to seven days, depending on the grade and the weather. Protect the edges from damage and keep heavy loads off the slab for the recommended time. Your supplier can tell you when the concrete is safe to walk on and when it can take vehicle traffic.

Stacey Concrete Ltd, based at Ryder Point Works, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4HE, UK, supplies ready-mix concrete grades C10, C30, C40 and more with delivery across the East Midlands. For a smooth delivery and a successful pour, preparation is everything. Check access, order the right mix, gather your tools, and give yourself time to work. A well-prepared site turns a high-stress hour into a straightforward job.

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Stacey Concrete Ltd · Ryder Point Works, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4HE, UK · +44 1629 825188