How to Prepare for Your Concrete Delivery
A bit of preparation makes pour day straightforward. Here's everything to have ready before the wagon arrives — so the concrete goes straight down and you're not paying for standing time.
Site preparation
Get the site ready first
Clear and level the area
Remove turf, topsoil, debris and any soft spots. Dig down to a firm, compacted sub-base so the concrete has something solid to bear onto.
Sort your access
Check the wagon can reach you — read our concrete wagon access guide. If you're unsure, send us photos of the approach and we'll confirm before the day.
Set your formwork
Fix your formwork (shuttering) securely so it won't bow or blow out under the weight of wet concrete. Check levels — concrete will follow the formwork.
Lay reinforcement
If your project needs mesh or rebar, place it on chairs/spacers so it sits within the slab, not on the bottom. Follow your specifier's instructions.
On the day
What to have ready when the wagon arrives
- Enough labour to place and finish the concrete — wet concrete waits for no one
- Wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes and a straightedge ready to go
- A clear route from the wagon to the pour location
- The pour location marked out and formwork checked
- A plan for finishing — trowel, float, brush finish as required
- Someone on site to meet the driver and confirm the pour
Practical points
Wagon positioning, weather and finishing
Wagon positioning
Think about where the wagon will park and how the concrete will get from the chute to the pour. The chute reach is limited — for longer distances or awkward access you may need wheelbarrows or a pump.
Weather considerations
Avoid pouring in heavy rain or freezing conditions if you can. In hot weather, plan to finish quickly and protect the surface from drying out too fast. We can advise on the day.
Finishing arrangements
Know what finish you want before you start — troweled, brushed, floated. Have the right tools and enough people, because the finishing window is short.
Site safety
Keep people and pets clear of the pour area. Wet concrete is heavy and can cause burns to skin — wear gloves and appropriate PPE.
Access photos
Send us your site photos
If there's any doubt about access — a narrow lane, a low bridge, overhead cables or a tight turn — take a few photos of the approach and the pour location and send them with your enquiry. We'll confirm the wagon can get to you before the day, so there are no surprises.
Ready to pour?
Tell us what you're pouring and where. We'll come out, measure up and send an itemised quote — usually within 48 hours.