How Volumetric Concrete Works
From your first phone call to the finished pour — here's exactly what happens when you order volumetric concrete from James Concrete.
The journey
Eight steps from first call to finished pour
1. You contact James Concrete
Tell us what you're building, where the site is, and roughly how much concrete you think you'll need. If you're not sure, use our concrete calculator first, or just call us and we'll work it out with you.
2. We discuss quantity and mix
We confirm the volume in cubic metres and talk through the mix design for your application — whether that's a driveway, a foundation, a slab or a commercial pour. If your engineer or specifier has given you a grade, we'll batch to that.
3. Delivery is arranged
We agree a delivery date and time that fits your programme. Because we mix on site, there's no race against the clock to get a drum wagon back to the depot before the concrete starts to set.
4. The volumetric mixer arrives
Our mixer arrives carrying the raw materials — cement, aggregates, sand and water — in separate compartments on one lorry. It carries enough to mix several cubic metres in a single visit.
5. Ingredients are measured
The onboard batching system measures each ingredient to the correct proportions for your specified mix. Nothing is pre-mixed before we reach you.
6. Concrete is mixed on site
The concrete is mixed fresh as it comes off the conveyor — at the point of pour. That means no risk of it starting to set on the journey, and the exact quantity you need, not a round number.
7. Concrete is discharged
The fresh concrete is discharged straight to your wheelbarrow, pump or pour location. If you need a little more or a little less than you estimated, we adjust on the spot — you only pay for what you pour.
8. You complete the pour
You and your team finish and level the concrete while it's fresh. See our guide to preparing for your delivery so everything is ready before the wagon arrives.
Why it matters
Why mixing on site is different
Our volumetric concrete is batched on your site rather than at a plant. Traditional ready-mix is mixed at a plant and transported in a rotating drum — the clock starts the moment it's mixed, so there's a working time limit before it begins to set, and you pay for what's in the drum whether you use it all or not.
Volumetric concrete is different. The materials stay separate until we reach you, so the concrete is genuinely fresh when it's mixed. And because we batch to order on site, you only pay for the concrete you actually pour. Read the full comparison on our volumetric vs ready mix page.
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.