How to Order Ready-Mix Concrete | Easy Step-by-Step Guide

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Taking on a construction project can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right materials. Concrete is one of those must-have materials for driveways, patios, foundations, and countless other projects. Mixing concrete yourself on-site is messy, time-consuming, and honestly exhausting.

That is where Ready Mix Concrete comes in handy. This stuff arrives at your job site already mixed and ready to pour, saving tons of time and effort. But ordering it the right way takes a bit of know-how. Getting the order wrong means wasted money or a ruined project, so understanding the process really pays off.

What Steps Are Involved in Ordering Ready-Mix Concrete?

Ordering ready-mix concrete involves figuring out how much you need, picking the right mix type, finding a good supplier, setting up delivery timing, and getting your site ready before the truck shows up.

It sounds simple enough, but each step matters more than you might think. Here is the basic order of things:

Step 1: Figure out exactly how much concrete the project needs
Step 2: Pick the right mix type for what you are building
Step 3: Find a trustworthy supplier in your area
Step 4: Schedule delivery around the weather and your crew’s availability
Step 5: Get everything ready at the job site before the truck arrives

Messing up any of these steps can cause delays, waste money, or even ruin the finished product.

Figuring Out How Much Concrete You Need

This part trips up a lot of people. Order too little and you have to stop mid-pour, waiting for more, which creates ugly weak spots. Order too much, and you are stuck paying for concrete you cannot use.

Basic Math for Concrete Volume

Concrete gets sold by cubic yards. To figure out how many cubic yards you need, grab these three measurements:

Length: How long is the area you are pouring?
Width: How wide is the pour area?
Depth: How thick does the concrete need to be?

Multiply all three numbers together, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Always add about 5-10% extra because the ground is never perfectly flat, and some concrete always gets wasted.

Why a Concrete Calculator Helps

Math is great for simple rectangle pours, but what about weird shapes or multiple sections? That is where a concrete calculator becomes your best friend.

These free online tools make life so much easier:

No Math Headaches: Plug in your measurements and get instant answers
Handles Weird Shapes: Circles, L-shapes, and combined areas are no problem
Unit Conversions: Switches between feet, inches, and yards automatically
Mix Recommendations: Some calculators even suggest which mix type works best

Just enter your numbers, and the calculator does all the heavy lifting for you.

Picking the Right Concrete Mix

Here is something many people do not realise: concrete comes in different types. The mix that works great for a sidewalk might not hold up for a heavy-duty driveway.

Mix Type	Strength	Best For
Standard	2,500-3,000 PSI	Sidewalks, patios, and light projects
Medium	3,500-4,000 PSI	Driveways, garage floors, foundations
High-Strength	4,500-6,000 PSI	Commercial work, heavy loads
Fast-Setting	3,000-4,000 PSI	Cold weather, quick projects

How to Choose the Right One

Think about what you are building and what it needs to handle:

Weight Concerns: Heavy vehicles need stronger concrete
Weather Exposure: Cold climates need special air-entrained mixes
How Fast You Need It Done: Some mixes set quicker than others
Decorative Finishes: Stamped or coloured concrete may need specific mixes

Not sure which one fits your project? Just ask the supplier. Good ones are happy to help you pick.

Finding a Good Concrete Supplier

Not all concrete companies are equal. Some deliver fresh, quality products with great service. Others show up late with questionable concrete and bad attitudes.

What Makes a Supplier Worth Using

Close to Your Site: Shorter trips mean fresher concrete that works better
Enough Trucks: Bigger fleets mean more scheduling options and backup if needed
Good Reviews: Check Google and ask around for real customer experiences
Helpful Staff: The best concrete suppliers answer questions and guide you through ordering
Clear Pricing: No hidden fees or surprise charges on delivery day

Questions Worth Asking

Before placing an order, call the supplier and ask a few things. What is the minimum order? How much does delivery cost? Do they charge if the truck waits too long? What happens if you need to cancel? Getting clear answers upfront saves headaches later.

Setting Up Your Delivery

Timing is everything with Ready Mix Concrete because it starts hardening the moment it gets mixed. Most loads stay workable for about 60-90 minutes, so everything needs to line up perfectly.

Things That Affect Your Schedule

The weather is the biggest factor. Hot sun makes concrete set faster, cold slows it down and can cause damage, and rain is obviously a problem for outdoor pours. Always check the forecast before confirming delivery.

Other timing factors to think about:

Crew Size: Make sure enough helpers are available to spread and finish the concrete
Tools Ready: Have all your equipment staged and ready to go
Traffic Delays: Rush hour can mess up delivery timing big time
Multiple Trucks: Big pours need trucks arriving in sequence, not all at once

Talking to the Dispatcher

Give the dispatcher really clear directions to your site. Mention any tight turns, low-hanging wires, or weight limits on roads. Share your phone number so the driver can call if something comes up. The more information you provide, the smoother the delivery day goes.

Getting Your Site Ready

Nothing wastes money faster than a concrete truck sitting there while you scramble to finish prep work. Get everything done before that truck rolls up.

Site Prep Checklist

Knock out these tasks ahead of time:

Set Your Forms: Make sure they are level, secure, and braced properly
Pack the Ground: Compact the soil so it will not settle after the pour
Add Gravel Base: Most pours need a gravel layer underneath for drainage
Clear the Path: Remove anything blocking the truck’s way to the pour spot
Stage Your Tools: Have shovels, rakes, floats, and finishing tools ready nearby

Installing Reinforcement

Rebar or wire mesh makes concrete way stronger and helps prevent cracking. Get this installed before the truck arrives.

A few tips for reinforcement:

Raise It: Use supports to keep the steel in the middle of the slab, not the bottom
Tie Everything: Secure all the pieces so they stay put during pouring
Follow the Plan: Stick to project specs for spacing and placement

What to Expect on Delivery Day

Knowing what happens when the truck shows up helps everything go smoothly.

Checking Your Order

Before concrete starts flowing, grab the delivery ticket and double-check everything. Make sure the mix type, amount, and any extras match what you ordered.

Also, look at the concrete as it comes out:

Flow: It should pour smoothly, not too runny or too thick
Colour: An even grey colour means it is mixed properly
Workability: Ask the driver about the slump test results

Working With Your Driver

The driver controls how fast concrete comes out and can add a little water if needed. Be careful because too much water weakens the finished product.

Tips for smooth teamwork:

Speak Up: Tell the driver exactly where you want the concrete placed
Keep Moving: Most companies charge waiting fees after a few minutes per yard
Stay Close: Have someone available to make decisions throughout the pour
Be Ready: The more prepared you are, the faster things go

Mistakes That Cost People Money

Learning from what goes wrong for others helps avoid the same problems.

Ordering Too Little: Always round up and add that 5-10% buffer
Picking the Wrong Mix: Talk through your project needs with the supplier
Bad Timing: Build extra time into your schedule for unexpected delays
Unfinished Prep: Never assume you can finish setup while the truck waits
Guessing Amounts: Use a concrete calculator instead of estimating
Ignoring Weather: Reschedule if conditions look bad

Taking Care of Fresh Concrete

The pour is done, but the job is not over. How you treat concrete in the first week affects how strong it gets.

Follow these steps for the best results:

Keep It Wet: Moist concrete cures stronger, so water it regularly for a week
Cover It Up: Plastic sheeting or curing compound helps hold in moisture
Stay Off: No walking on fresh concrete for at least 24 hours
No Vehicles: Keep cars and trucks off for a full week minimum
Check for Problems: Look over the finished surface and note any issues right away

If something looks wrong with the concrete itself, contact your supplier quickly with photos.

Conclusion

Ordering Ready Mix Concrete does not have to be complicated. Calculate the right amount using a concrete calculator, pick the appropriate mix for your project, find a reliable supplier, schedule smart around weather, and prepare your site completely before delivery. Following these steps means less stress, fewer problems, and a finished project that lasts for years.

Suppliers like Pro-Mix Concrete make ordering easy for homeowners and contractors across the region. The friendly team walks customers through mix selection, helps calculate the right quantities, and schedules deliveries that work with project timelines. With quality products, a reliable truck fleet, and customer service that actually cares, Pro-Mix Concrete has become the go-to choice for projects big and small.

FAQs

How do I start ordering ready-mix concrete?

Start by measuring your project area, calculating the required volume, then contacting a local supplier to discuss mix type, strength, delivery date, site access, and any special requirements.

How do I calculate how much ready-mix concrete I need?

Multiply length, width, and depth of the pour area to get volume, convert to cubic metres or yards, then add about 5–10% extra for waste and spillage.

What information do concrete suppliers need when I place an order?

Suppliers usually need project address, contact details, required volume, mix strength, slump or workability, delivery date and time, placement method, site access notes, and any admixtures or special instructions.

How far in advance should I order ready-mix concrete?

Book at least one to several days in advance, depending on local demand, and always confirm the order and delivery window the day before the scheduled pour.

Can I order a small load of ready-mix concrete for DIY projects?

Yes, many suppliers offer small-load or mini-mix services, but very small orders may attract short-load or part-load surcharges compared with standard full-truck deliveries.

What should I do before the ready-mix concrete truck arrives?

Clear access routes, remove obstacles, prepare formwork and reinforcement, arrange parking space for the truck, and ensure enough labour and tools are ready for immediate pouring on arrival.