May 30, 2026

Ready Mix Concrete Delivery Process Explained

Most people ordering ready mix concrete for the first time focus on the pour and give little thought to everything that happens before the truck arrives. The grade selection, the volume calculation, the batching, and the transit window all have a direct impact on the quality of the finished concrete and the efficiency of your project.

Understanding the full delivery process means you can plan your site properly, avoid costly delays, and make decisions with confidence rather than guesswork. Here is exactly how it works, from the initial enquiry through to the moment the drum stops turning.

Step 1: Getting a Quote and Placing Your Order

The delivery process begins long before any concrete is mixed. Getting your order right at this stage saves time, prevents waste, and ensures the concrete that arrives on site is the right product for the job.

Choosing the Right Concrete Grade

Concrete is supplied in standardised grades that indicate compressive strength. C10, C15, C20, C25, C30, C35, and C40 are the most commonly used grades in UK construction, and each is suited to a specific application.

C10 and C15 are used for blinding, cavity filling, and non-structural applications
C20 and C25 are suitable for domestic foundations, pathways, and lightly loaded slabs
C30 is the most widely used grade for driveways, house foundations, and general commercial work
C35 and C40 are specified for heavy-duty commercial and industrial applications, reinforced structures, and high-load environments

Selecting the wrong grade can compromise structural integrity or result in overspending on a mix stronger than the project requires. If you are unsure which grade applies to your project, our team at Pro-Mix Concrete will advise you before confirming the order.

Calculating Your Volume

Ready-mix concrete is ordered and priced by the cubic metre. Volume is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and depth of the area to be poured. Our Concrete Calculator handles this directly, giving you an accurate figure before you call.

It is advisable to order a modest amount more than your precise calculation to account for uneven ground, spillage, and any variation in depth across the pour area. Running short mid-pour and waiting for a second load is far more disruptive and costly than having a small surplus.

Confirming Site Access and Delivery Details

Before the order is confirmed, site access details are required. A standard ready-mix truck is a substantial vehicle, and delivery can proceed only if the route and access point accommodate it safely.

Information needed at this stage includes:

Road width and any low bridges or overhead obstructions on the approach
Distance from where the truck can park to the pour point
Any delivery permit requirements for the area
Preferred delivery window, as same-day and next-day scheduling is available across the coverage area

Getting access details right at the ordering stage prevents delays on delivery day and ensures the driver can position correctly from the moment of arrival.

Step 2: Batching at the Plant

Once the order is confirmed, production begins at the batching plant. Computer-controlled systems measure each ingredient, including cement, sand, coarse aggregate, water, and any admixtures, to within 1 to 2% accuracy. This level of precision is not achievable through manual on-site mixing, and it is what guarantees the grade specified in the order is the grade that leaves the plant.

Admixtures are added at this stage where the project requires them. Retarders extend workable life during transit for longer journeys or complex pours. Accelerators shorten setting time for cold weather conditions or sites with fast turnaround requirements.

Before dispatch, quality checks are carried out, and a delivery ticket is produced recording the mix specification, concrete grade, volume, batch time, and dispatch time. This travels with every load and should be kept as part of your project record.

Step 3: Transit to Your Site

Once the concrete is loaded into the transit mixer drum, the clock starts. The drum rotates continuously throughout the journey to prevent segregation and maintain consistent workability.

The Two-Hour Discharge Rule

Under BS 8500 and BS EN 206, concrete must be discharged within two hours of loading. Best practice targets 90 minutes. Beyond this window, workability deteriorates, compaction becomes more difficult, and the risk of surface defects increases significantly.

Water Addition and Structural Risk

Adding water to stiffening concrete alters the water-to-cement ratio and directly weakens the final compressive strength. Approximately 3% of all ready-mix concrete production is rejected and returned to batching plants each year due to slump loss during transport. This reflects the real cost of poor logistics planning.

The only correct response to concrete that is approaching the end of its workable window is to place it promptly and compact it thoroughly. Attempting to extend workability by diluting the mix compromises the structural performance of the finished pour and can invalidate the specified grade entirely.

Keeping Deliveries on Time

Our team at Pro-Mix Concrete uses careful scheduling, GPS-tracked deliveries, and strategically positioned batching plants to minimise transit times. The aim is always to arrive on site with concrete that is fresh, workable, and ready to place immediately.

Step 4: Arrival and Site Checks

When the truck arrives, the driver will position the vehicle at the agreed access point and review the delivery ticket with the site contact. This is the moment to confirm the grade, volume, and batch time before discharge begins.

At this point, your site needs to be fully prepared. The pour area should be excavated and compacted, all formwork should be in position and secure, reinforcement should be laid where specified, and sufficient labour should be on hand to place, compact, and finish the concrete without interruption.

Any delay between arrival and the start of discharge works against the available workable time. If the site is not ready when the truck arrives, time is lost from the placement window rather than gained. On commercial sites with multiple trades and tight programmes, this can have knock-on consequences that extend well beyond the concrete pour itself.

Step 5: Discharge and Pouring

Discharge begins once the driver confirms the site is ready and the delivery ticket has been checked. Unloading typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the volume.

Direct Chute Delivery

For straightforward pours with direct access, concrete is discharged via the truck’s chute directly into the formwork or pour area. The team should be positioned and ready to place the moment discharge starts, as the 90-minute window referenced in British Standards runs from the point of batching, not arrival on site.

Pump Assisted Delivery for Restricted Sites

For sites where the truck cannot get close enough to the pour point, we offer concrete pump hire alongside every delivery. Common scenarios include:

Rear gardens with no side access
Basement and below-ground pours
Elevated slabs and first-floor structures
Sites with narrow access where the truck must park at a distance

Both line pumps and boom pumps are available, allowing placement at a distance or at height with no compromise to quality or timing. Call 020 7458 4747 to discuss your access requirements before delivery day.

Compaction and Finishing

Once placement begins, the concrete must be compacted promptly using a vibrating poker or tamping bar to remove air voids and ensure full contact with the formwork and any reinforcement. Screeding, floating, or trowelling follows immediately after, depending on the application and the finish required.

Step 6: After the Pour

Once the concrete is placed and finished, curing begins. Curing is the process by which concrete gains strength through continued hydration, and protecting the surface during this period directly affects the final performance of the slab or structure.

For most UK projects, this means keeping the surface moist and protected from frost, direct sun, and strong wind for a minimum of three to seven days after pouring. In cold weather, insulating blankets or polythene sheeting are used to maintain temperature and prevent the surface from freezing before sufficient strength has developed.

The delivery ticket should be filed and retained. It confirms the grade, volume, and batch time for every load received and may be required by building control, a structural engineer, or a warranty provider as part of the project documentation.

If additional concrete is needed after the truck has left, a top-up load can be arranged, though this is subject to availability and will carry a separate minimum charge. Ordering accurately at the outset and adding a small buffer is always the more cost-effective approach.

Tips to Prepare Your Site for Ready Mix Concrete Delivery

A well-prepared site is the single biggest factor in a smooth delivery and a successful pour. Here is what needs to be in place before the truck arrives.

Complete your excavation first: The sub-base should be fully compacted to the correct depth before the truck is booked. Discovering unfinished groundwork on delivery day wastes time from the workable window.
Install and secure all formwork: Formwork must be fully in position and properly propped before discharge begins. Wet concrete exerts significant pressure, and any movement mid-pour can compromise the finished structure.
Lay reinforcement before the truck arrives: Any mesh or rebar should be tied and supported at the correct cover. This is not a task that can run alongside the pour.
Check the access route in advance: Confirm the road width, any height restrictions, and the ground bearing capacity along the truck’s approach. Identify and communicate the parking and chuting position to the driver before delivery day.
Have sufficient labour on site: The team needs to be present and ready to place, compact, and finish the concrete the moment discharge starts. Arriving late or being short-staffed costs time you cannot recover.
Prepare your finishing tools: Screed boards, floats, trowels, and a vibrating poker should all be within reach before the truck arrives.
Check the weather forecast: Cold, heat, and strong wind all affect workability and curing. Have precautions in place rather than improvising on the day.

On commercial sites, a designated site contact should be available throughout the delivery to communicate with the driver, manage the pour sequence, and handle any issues as they arise.

Same-Day and Next-Day Concrete Delivery Across the UK

Pro-Mix Concrete offers same-day and next-day ready mix concrete delivery across London and throughout the wider UK. Orders placed in the morning can typically be fulfilled the same day, and the team works around your programme rather than asking you to work around theirs.

For projects with restricted site access, our concrete pump hire service runs alongside every delivery, meaning there is no pour that cannot be reached. Both line pumps and boom pumps are available, operated by experienced pump crews who coordinate directly with the delivery driver to keep the pour moving without interruption.

What information do I need to order ready-mix concrete?

You need the concrete grade, the volume in cubic metres, the delivery address, your preferred delivery date and time, and site access details, including road width and the distance from the truck’s parking position to the pour point. Our team will guide you through any part of this.

How much concrete do I need?

Volume is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and depth of the area to be poured in metres. Our concrete calculator on the website handles this for you. Always order a small surplus to account for uneven ground and variation in depth across the pour area.

How long does ready-mix concrete take to deliver?

Same-day delivery is available for orders placed in the morning, and next-day delivery is available for orders placed at any point. Exact lead times depend on location and current demand. Call the Pro-Mix Concrete team to confirm availability for your date.

Conclusion

Every stage of the ready mix concrete delivery process, from grade selection and batching through to transit, discharge, and curing, is connected. What happens at the plant affects what arrives on site. What happens on-site affects what ends up in the structure. Getting each step right, in the right order, is what separates a pour that performs for decades from one that causes problems from the day it sets.

Pro-Mix Concrete has been supplying ready-mix concrete across the UK for over 20 years. Our concrete is batched to British Standards at our plants and arrives on site with a full delivery ticket confirming the specification.

Use our Online Concrete Calculator to work out your volume, or call our team directly on 020 7458 4747 or 0800 772 3808 to discuss your project and get a quote.

Author

Dennis Broderick

Dennis Broderick is the founder and owner of Pro-Mix Concrete Company, a trusted name in ready-mix concrete solutions across the UK. With over 20 years of hands-on experience in the construction and concrete industry, Dennis brings unmatched expertise, practical insights, and a commitment to quality on every project - from residential driveways to large-scale commercial developments.

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