Order ready-mix concrete and arrange delivery — Which Machine, Which Providers?
- Recommended class
- Transportbeton-Anlieferung
- Typical duration
- Liefertag
- Cost estimate
- 90-180 €/m³
Overview
Ordering ready-mix concrete and arranging delivery is a critical task on most construction projects, from residential foundations to commercial slabs. Unlike mixing concrete on-site in small batches, ready-mix delivery provides consistent quality, significant time savings, and the ability to place large volumes quickly. The process involves more than simply phoning a supplier: you must specify the correct concrete grade, determine access requirements for the delivery vehicle, coordinate labour for placement, and ensure the site is fully prepared before the lorry arrives. Poor planning can result in wasted concrete, additional charges, or concrete that sets before placement is complete.
The equipment class for this use case is the ready-mix concrete delivery itself, typically involving a concrete mixer lorry (transit mixer) ranging from mini-mix vehicles (under 2m³ capacity for restricted access) through to standard 6-8m³ trucks. Many projects also require a concrete pump—either a boom pump mounted on a lorry for overhead or distant placement, or a line pump for more straightforward ground-level pours. Choosing the right delivery method depends on site access, pour volume, and placement location. Costs typically range from £90 to £180 per cubic metre depending on concrete specification, delivery distance, and any additional services like pumping. The delivery day itself requires careful coordination, as concrete begins its chemical set within 90-120 minutes of batching.
Step-by-step
1. Calculate required volume and specify concrete grade
Measure the area and depth of your pour to calculate cubic metres required, adding 5-10% contingency for wastage and variations. Specify the concrete grade (e.g., C20, C25, C30) based on structural requirements, slump/workability (typically 75-125mm for general work), aggregate size (usually 20mm or 10mm for restricted access), and any additives (plasticisers, accelerators, retarders). Consult structural drawings or your engineer's specification. For domestic projects, C25 with 75mm slump is common for foundations, whilst C30 is typical for heavily loaded slabs or commercial work.
2. Assess site access and select delivery method
Inspect the route from the public road to the pour location. Standard mixer lorries require approximately 3.5m width, 4m height clearance, and firm ground capable of supporting 26-32 tonnes. Check for overhead cables, narrow gates, soft ground, or steep gradients. If access is restricted, consider mini-mix (small volumetric mixers), a concrete pump, or wheelbarrow gangs. For pours beyond the lorry's 3-4m chute reach, arrange a concrete pump: boom pumps cost £300-600 per day and can place concrete 20-40m away or overhead; line pumps are cheaper (£200-400) but require manual hose handling and suit ground-level work.
3. Request quotations and book delivery
Contact local ready-mix suppliers 5-10 days before your intended pour date. Provide: concrete specification, required volume, delivery address, preferred delivery date and time window, access constraints, and whether pumping is needed. Request itemised quotes showing concrete price per m³, delivery charges (often included within a radius, extra beyond), pump hire if applicable, and any minimum load charges (many suppliers charge for minimum 4m³). Book the delivery, confirming the batching plant will be notified of your exact specification and that you'll confirm final timing 24-48 hours in advance.
4. Prepare the site and arrange labour
Before delivery day, complete all formwork, reinforcement, membranes, and site preparation. Ensure the sub-base is level and compacted, formwork is secure and at correct levels, and steel reinforcement is tied and supported on chairs. Clear vehicle access routes and identify where the lorry will position (consider reversing requirements and ground protection). Organise sufficient labour: typically 4-6 workers for a standard foundation pour to rake, tamp, screed, and finish. Have all tools ready: wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, screeds, floats, vibrating poker if required, and protective equipment. Verify that inspections (Building Control, structural engineer) are completed if required before concrete placement.
5. Coordinate delivery timing and receive concrete
Confirm delivery time with the supplier 24-48 hours beforehand, specifying a narrow time window (e.g., 08:00-09:00). On delivery day, have the full team on-site 30 minutes early. When the lorry arrives, check the delivery ticket confirms your specification, volume, and batching time. Direct the driver to the pour location and begin placement immediately. Concrete lorries typically allow 15-20 minutes on-site before waiting time charges apply (£2-4 per minute). Place concrete systematically, working from the furthest point back, tamping or vibrating to eliminate voids. Do not add water to stiffen concrete without supplier approval, as this weakens the mix significantly.
6. Complete placement, finish, and cure
Once all concrete is placed, strike off (screed) the surface level with the formwork using a straight edge. Allow bleed water to evaporate (usually 30-90 minutes depending on conditions), then proceed with finishing: bull float for large areas, hand float or power float for smoother finishes. Apply any surface treatments (brushing, tamping) before the concrete sets. Begin curing within 30 minutes of finishing: cover with polythene sheeting, apply curing compound, or use hessian kept continuously damp. Protect from freezing, direct sun, and rain for at least 3 days (7 days ideally). Keep traffic off the slab for 24-48 hours and avoid full loading for 7 days minimum.
Cost breakdown
| Ready-mix concrete (C25, 20mm) | £90-130/m³ | Varies by location, specification, and delivery distance; structural grades (C30+) add £10-20/m³ |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete (C30, higher strength) | £100-150/m³ | For heavily loaded slabs, commercial work, or exposed conditions |
| Delivery surcharge (beyond standard radius) | £30-80 per load | Charged when site exceeds supplier's included delivery area (typically 10-15 mile radius) |
| Concrete pump hire (boom pump) | £350-600/day | For placement beyond chute reach or overhead work; includes operator and fuel |
| Concrete pump hire (line pump) | £200-400/day | Suitable for ground-level pours with restricted lorry access; requires manual hose handling |
| Waiting time charges | £2-4/minute | Applied after 15-20 minutes on-site allowance; poor planning can add £50-150 per load |
| Minimum load charge | £150-250 | Many suppliers charge minimum for 3-4m³ even if less concrete is ordered |
Common pitfalls
- Underestimating required volume—running short mid-pour forces a second load with minimum charges, joints between batches, and potential cold joint weakness costing £200-400 extra.
- Inadequate site access assessment—lorry cannot reach pour location, requiring emergency pump hire at £400-600 or manual barrowing that delays pour and risks concrete setting in the drum.
- Insufficient labour on delivery day—concrete arrives but cannot be placed within working time, leading to waiting charges (£2-4/min), rushed poor-quality placement, or rejected load costing full concrete value.
- Site not fully prepared—formwork incomplete, reinforcement not inspected, or sub-base not compacted when concrete arrives, forcing rejection or placing concrete over defective work requiring costly remediation.
- Adding water on-site to ease placement—reduces concrete strength by 20-50%, invalidates warranties, and can cause structural failure requiring demolition and replacement costing thousands.
- Neglecting curing—concrete dries too quickly, causing surface crazing, reduced strength (10-30% loss), and durability problems that shorten service life and require premature replacement.
FAQ
- Do I need Building Control approval before ordering ready-mix concrete for foundations?
- Yes, for most structural applications in the UK, Building Control or an Approved Inspector must inspect and approve the foundation excavation, formwork, and reinforcement before concrete is placed. Contact your local authority Building Control at least 48 hours before the planned pour to arrange inspection. Placing concrete without the required inspection can result in enforcement action requiring excavation and replacement of the work at significant cost, typically thousands of pounds. Some minor non-structural works (e.g., garden paths, non-loadbearing bases) may not require approval, but always verify with Building Control beforehand.
- How much does ready-mix concrete delivery cost for a typical domestic project?
- For a typical domestic foundation or slab requiring 6-10m³ of C25 concrete, expect total costs of £600-1,200 for concrete and delivery alone. Concrete costs £90-130/m³ for standard grades, with delivery typically included within 10-15 miles of the batching plant. Beyond this radius, surcharges of £30-80 per load apply. If site access requires a concrete pump due to restricted lorry access or placement distance, add £200-600 for pump hire. Waiting time charges (£2-4/minute beyond the 15-20 minute allowance) can add £50-150 if the site isn't ready. Always request itemised quotations from 2-3 local suppliers to compare pricing and confirm all charges.
- What's the difference between mini-mix and standard ready-mix delivery, and when should I choose each?
- Standard ready-mix lorries (6-8m³ capacity) are most economical for volumes above 4m³ but require 3.5m width access, firm ground, and 4m height clearance. Mini-mix or volumetric mixers (1-4m³ capacity) are smaller vehicles—often van-sized—that can access narrow driveways, domestic rear gardens, or sites with weight restrictions. Mini-mix costs £10-30/m³ more than standard delivery but avoids the need for pumping or barrowing in restricted locations. Choose mini-mix when site access prevents standard lorries, when you need concrete in small batches over several hours, or for small volumes (under 3m³) where minimum load charges make standard delivery uneconomical. For large pours (over 6m³) with good access, standard delivery is significantly cheaper overall.
- Can I place ready-mix concrete myself, or should I hire professional concretors?
- Experienced DIY builders can place concrete for simple projects like shed bases, garden paths, or small inspection chamber surrounds, provided they have sufficient helpers (minimum 3-4 people), proper tools, and realistic expectations about physical demands and time pressure. However, structural work—foundations, structural slabs, retaining walls—should involve experienced concretors due to the critical importance of correct placement, consolidation, finishing, and curing. Poor technique leads to voids, weak concrete, surface defects, and potential structural failure. Professional concretors charge £150-250 per day per person but bring expertise, efficiency, and equipment that typically justify the cost for anything beyond basic non-structural work. For first-time concrete work, consider hiring a concreting gang at minimum for placement and finishing, even if you've prepared formwork and reinforcement yourself.
- How quickly must ready-mix concrete be placed after delivery, and what happens if we can't finish in time?
- Ready-mix concrete begins its chemical setting reaction from the moment water is added at the batching plant, with 90-120 minutes workability under normal conditions (15-20°C). In hot weather (above 25°C), working time may reduce to 60-90 minutes; cold weather extends it slightly. The concrete must be fully placed, consolidated, and initial screeding completed within this window. If placement takes too long, concrete becomes unworkable—it cannot be properly consolidated, won't flow into formwork corners, and finishing becomes impossible. Never add water to restore workability, as this severely weakens the concrete. If you cannot complete placement in time, the supplier may need to add retarding admixture (prearranged, adds £3-5/m³) or you may need to reject the remaining concrete. Plan labour and equipment so placement takes no more than half the expected working time to allow for finishing.
- What causes ready-mix concrete to be rejected on delivery, and who pays for it?
- Concrete may be rejected if: the delivery ticket shows incorrect specification (wrong grade or mix design), batching time exceeds 90 minutes before arrival, the load has been contaminated, excessive water has been added in transit, or the concrete has begun to set making it unworkable. Suppliers may also refuse to discharge if site access is unsafe, ground cannot support the lorry weight, or if excavations/formwork clearly don't match the ordered volume. If rejection is due to supplier error (wrong mix, late delivery, contamination), the supplier bears the cost. If rejection is due to customer issues (site not ready, incorrect order, unsafe access not disclosed), the customer pays for the full load (£400-1,200) plus delivery charges. Always verify the delivery ticket before allowing discharge, and ensure the site is genuinely ready before confirming delivery.