How Is Concrete Delivered to a Construction Site?
Whether you're pouring foundations for an extension, a shed base, constructing a floor slab or working on a large commercial development, getting concrete safely and efficiently onto site is an important part of planning the job.
But how does concrete delivery actually work?
The process can vary depending on the type and quantity of concrete required, site access and how close the delivery vehicle can get to the pour.
At William The Concreter, we supply concrete to domestic customers, builders, groundworkers and commercial contractors throughout East Sussex and Kent.
Here's what you can expect when arranging concrete delivery for your next project.
Step 1: Work Out How Much Concrete You Need
Before arranging a delivery, you'll need to establish approximately how much concrete your project requires.
Concrete is normally ordered by volume in cubic metres (m³).
For a straightforward rectangular area, you can estimate the volume by multiplying:
Length × Width × Depth
However, real construction sites aren't always perfectly uniform. Excavated foundations and trenches can vary in depth or width, for example, which can affect the actual quantity of concrete required.
William The Concreter's online Concrete Calculator can help you estimate the volume required for your project.
For structural work, you should also make sure you have the correct concrete specification before ordering.
Our recent guide What Type of Concrete Do I Need? explains some of the different considerations for builders and contractors.
Step 2: Choose How Your Concrete Will Be Supplied
Concrete can be delivered to site in different ways.
Two of the main options are ready-mix concrete and volumetric concrete.
Ready-Mix Concrete
Ready-mix concrete is produced to the required specification before being transported to the construction site in a mixer truck.
It's widely used across domestic, commercial and construction projects and provides a convenient way of receiving concrete ready for placement when it arrives.
Volumetric Concrete
A volumetric concrete mixer works differently.
Instead of transporting a completed batch of concrete, the vehicle carries the individual materials required to produce it. These are then mixed on site according to the required specification.
One of the major advantages is flexibility. Concrete can be produced as required, which can be particularly useful on projects where the exact volume needed is difficult to predict in advance.
We've explored this in more detail in our guide When Should You Choose Volumetric Concrete?
You can also read our comparison of Ready-Mix vs Volumetric Concrete if you're unsure which option is most suitable.
Step 3: Make Sure the Site Is Accessible
Access is one of the most important considerations when organising concrete delivery.
Concrete delivery vehicles are large and heavy, so it's important to establish whether they can safely reach the required location.
Before delivery day, consider:
The width of the site entrance
Overhead restrictions
Low branches or cables
Gates and other obstructions
Ground conditions
Parked vehicles
Turning space
Whether the delivery vehicle can safely enter and leave the site
It's also worth considering the effect of weather on access. Ground that is suitable for a heavy vehicle in dry conditions may be very different following prolonged rain.
If there are any concerns about access, it's best to discuss them with your concrete supplier before delivery rather than discovering a problem when the vehicle arrives.
Step 4: Decide How the Concrete Will Reach the Pour
Getting the delivery vehicle onto site doesn't necessarily mean it can reach the exact location where the concrete is required.
On some projects, the mixer may be able to position close enough for relatively straightforward discharge.
On others, concrete may need to travel considerably further.
This is particularly common when pouring:
Rear extensions
Foundations behind existing properties
Basements
Restricted-access sites
Large floor slabs
Commercial developments
Groundworks and civil engineering projects
Depending on the project, concrete might be moved manually or placed using specialist pumping equipment.
When Do You Need a Concrete Pump?
A concrete pump can move concrete from the delivery vehicle directly to the required location through specialist pipework or hoses.
This can be extremely useful where direct access isn't possible.
For example, if you're constructing an extension at the rear of a property, there may be no practical way of positioning a concrete mixer next to the foundations.
Pumping the concrete can provide a much more efficient solution.
Concrete pumps are also valuable on larger commercial and construction projects where significant volumes of concrete need to be placed accurately and efficiently.
William The Concreter operates its own concrete pump hire service, allowing us to coordinate both concrete delivery and pumping where required.
Step 5: Be Ready Before the Concrete Arrives
Preparation is essential.
Once concrete arrives, you don't want to discover that formwork isn't complete, reinforcement hasn't been positioned or the working area isn't ready.
Before delivery, make sure that relevant preparation has been completed and that sufficient people and equipment are available to place and finish the concrete.
Depending on the project, this may include checking:
Excavations and dimensions
Sub-base preparation
Formwork
Reinforcement
Damp-proof membranes
Access
Pump positioning
Tools and equipment
Labour required for placing and finishing
Good preparation helps make the delivery and pour considerably smoother.
We'll look at this subject in more detail in our next guide on how to prepare a site before concrete is delivered.
Step 6: The Concrete Arrives
When the delivery vehicle arrives, the site should be ready to receive the concrete.
The precise process will depend on the delivery method and project.
Concrete may be discharged directly where access permits, transferred into suitable equipment for placement, or pumped to the required location.
On larger pours, planning becomes particularly important because the delivery, placement and finishing of the concrete all need to work together efficiently.
For builders and contractors, having a reliable concrete supplier who understands construction-site requirements can make this process much easier.
What About Large Commercial Concrete Deliveries?
The same basic principles apply to larger projects, but logistics become increasingly important as volumes increase.
Commercial construction, housing developments, groundworks and civil engineering projects may require larger quantities of concrete, multiple deliveries or coordinated pumping.
William The Concreter can supply up to 200m³ of concrete per day for larger construction projects, helping support substantial pours across East Sussex and Kent.
For specialist sectors, you can also explore our dedicated pages for:
Can Concrete Be Delivered to Properties With Difficult Access?
Potentially, yes.
Restricted access doesn't automatically mean concrete cannot be supplied, but it does mean the delivery needs to be planned carefully.
A concrete pump can often overcome the problem of getting concrete from the vehicle to the pour, while volumetric concrete can provide additional flexibility on suitable projects.
The important thing is to explain any access restrictions when arranging your delivery so the most practical solution can be discussed beforehand.
Speak to William The Concreter
William The Concreter supplies concrete for projects throughout East Sussex and Kent, working with homeowners, builders, groundworkers and commercial contractors.
From extensions and house-building projects in Battle, Hastings and Bexhill to construction work around Eastbourne, Hailsham, Rye, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas, we can help arrange a concrete delivery that works around the requirements of your site.
With ready-mix concrete, volumetric concrete and our own concrete pumping equipment available, we can provide a coordinated solution for projects ranging from small domestic pours to substantial commercial construction.
A successful concrete delivery starts well before the vehicle arrives.
Knowing the quantity and specification you require, checking access, preparing the site and deciding how the concrete will reach the pour can all help avoid unnecessary delays on delivery day.
Call us today on 01424 775388 or contact William The Concreter online to discuss your next concrete delivery.
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