How Do You Prepare a Site Before Concrete Is Delivered?
When you're arranging a concrete delivery, getting the site properly prepared is just as important as ordering the concrete itself.
Once the delivery vehicle arrives, you want the pour to proceed as smoothly as possible. Discovering that access is blocked, formwork isn't finished or you don't have enough people available can quickly cause unnecessary delays.
Whether you're preparing foundations for an extension, pouring a floor slab or managing a larger commercial project, here are some of the key things to consider before your concrete arrives.
At William The Concreter, we've spent more than 40 years supplying concrete to homeowners, builders and contractors throughout East Sussex and Kent.
1. Make Sure You Know What Concrete You Need
Before ordering, make sure you've established the correct concrete specification.
Different applications can have different requirements depending on factors such as loading, structural design, exposure and reinforcement.
Where your project has been designed by a structural engineer, architect or other suitably qualified professional, always follow the concrete specification provided.
If you're still researching your options, our guide What Type of Concrete Do I Need? explains some of the common considerations for builders and contractors.
2. Calculate How Much Concrete You Need
Concrete is normally ordered in cubic metres (m³).
For a straightforward rectangular area, the basic calculation is:
Length × Width × Depth
However, excavated foundations and trenches aren't always perfectly uniform, while uneven ground can also affect the actual volume required.
Our online Concrete Calculator provides a quick way to estimate how much concrete you'll need.
3. Prepare the Ground
The area receiving the concrete needs to be properly prepared before delivery.
Depending on the project, this could include excavation, preparation and compaction of the appropriate sub-base, installation of membranes, or preparing foundation trenches to the required dimensions.
The important point is simple: don't leave essential preparation until the concrete vehicle is on its way.
We've previously created a detailed guide explaining whether you need a sub-base for concrete.
4. Check Formwork and Reinforcement
Where formwork is required, it should be complete, correctly positioned and sufficiently secure before the pour begins.
Check that dimensions and levels are correct, formwork is securely fixed and the area is ready to receive concrete.
If your project requires reinforcement, this should also be correctly installed according to the project's structural design before delivery.
Our guide Do I Need Reinforced Concrete? looks at reinforcement in more detail.
5. Check Access for the Delivery Vehicle
Access is one of the most important things to consider before delivery day.
Concrete delivery vehicles are large and heavy, so check:
Entrance and gateway width
Turning space
Ground conditions
Parked vehicles or other obstructions
Low branches or overhead cables
Height or weight restrictions
It's particularly important to consider ground conditions following heavy rain.
If there are any potential access problems, discuss them with your concrete supplier before delivery day!
6. Decide How the Concrete Will Reach the Pour
Getting the vehicle onto site doesn't necessarily mean it can reach the exact location where the concrete is required.
This is particularly common with rear extensions, basements, restricted-access sites and larger commercial projects.
A concrete pump can provide an efficient solution by moving concrete from the delivery vehicle through specialist pipework or hoses to the required location.
William The Concreter operates its own concrete pumping equipment, allowing us to coordinate concrete supply and pump hire where required.
7. Check the Weather
It's worth checking the weather forecast in the days leading up to your delivery.
Heavy rain, very cold conditions and particularly hot weather can all create additional considerations when pouring and curing concrete. If you're concerned, it's always best you speak with us.
We've previously covered one of the most common seasonal questions in our guide Can You Pour Concrete in Cold Weather?
8. Plan for Curing
Preparation doesn't end once the concrete has been placed.
Concrete needs sufficient time to set and cure, and you should avoid subjecting freshly placed concrete to loads before it is ready.
Our guide How Long Does Concrete Take to Set and Cure? explains this process in more detail.
What Should I Tell My Concrete Supplier?
Providing plenty of information when ordering can make the whole process easier.
Try to have details available about:
The concrete specification
Approximate quantity
Delivery address
Intended application
Site access or restrictions
Whether concrete pumping is required
Planned delivery date
If there's anything unusual about the site, mention it. It's much easier to plan around a potential problem beforehand than discover it when the concrete arrives.
Ready-Mix or Volumetric Concrete?
ou'll also need to consider how your concrete will be supplied.
Ready-mix concrete arrives already mixed to the required specification, while a volumetric mixer carries the constituent materials and produces concrete on site.
Volumetric supply can provide additional flexibility where the precise amount required is difficult to predict.
Our guides to Ready-Mix vs Volumetric Concrete and When Should You Choose Volumetric Concrete? explain the options in more detail.
If you have further questions about which concrete is right for you, we're always happy to advise you on the phone.
Concrete Delivery Across East Sussex & Kent
William The Concreter supplies ready-mix and volumetric concrete to homeowners, builders, groundworkers and commercial contractors throughout East Sussex and Kent.
We regularly support projects across Battle, Bexhill, Hastings, Rye, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas.
From concrete for domestic extensions and foundations to substantial groundworks and commercial construction projects, our experienced team can help coordinate your concrete supply and delivery.
For larger projects, explore our dedicated Commercial Concrete Supplier, Groundworks Contractors and Builders & Contractors pages.
Ready for Your Concrete Delivery?
Good preparation can make a significant difference to how smoothly a concrete pour runs.
By confirming your specification and quantity, preparing the site, checking access, organising labour and deciding how the concrete will reach the pour, you'll be ready when the delivery vehicle arrives.
With more than 40 years of experience supplying concrete throughout East Sussex and Kent, William The Concreter can help with ready-mix concrete, volumetric concrete and concrete pump hire for projects of all sizes.
Call us on 01424 775388 or contact William The Concreter online to discuss your next concrete delivery.
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