How to Order Ready-Mix Concrete: Slump, Delivery & Ticket Checklist

Ordering ready-mix concrete from a commercial batch plant can be intimidating. Concrete trucks are massive, expensive, and run on a strict clock. If you are unprepared when the truck arrives, you risk ruined concrete, delivery surcharges, or a crew standing around with nothing to do.

To ensure your first ready-mix order goes smoothly, here is a guide on how to calculate your concrete needs, choose the right specs, and manage the delivery day.

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1. Calculate Your Volume (Cubic Yards)

Commercial batch plants sell ready-mix concrete by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet).

1. Measure the length, width, and thickness of your pour.
2. Use the concrete slab cost calculator to convert your dimensions to cubic yards.
3. Add 10% waste: Subgrade settlement, form flex, and concrete left in the truck chute mean you will always run short if you order the exact calculated volume.

Note: Most plants have a minimum order requirement of 3 cubic yards. Smaller orders are subject to a short-load fee of $50 to $150.

2. Deciding Your Mix Specifications

When you call the batch plant dispatch, they will ask for your mix design. You need to specify:

• PSI (Compressive Strength):
  • 3,000 PSI is standard for patios and sidewalks.
  • 4,000 PSI is standard for driveways, garages, and foundations.
  • Unsure which to specify? Read 3,000 vs. 4,000 PSI concrete.
• Air Entrainment: If you live in a freeze-thaw climate, you must specify an air-entrained mix (typically 5% to 7% air content). This introduces microscopic bubbles to prevent winter spalling.
• Slump: The measure of the concrete's flowability. A standard slump is 4 inches (firm but workably soft). Avoid asking the driver to add water to increase the slump, as this dilutes the cement paste and weakens the concrete.

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3. Preparation & Access Check

A fully loaded ready-mix truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (40 tons).

[!CAUTION] Never allow a concrete truck to drive over residential driveways, sidewalks, or soft soils. The weight will crack the concrete and leave deep ruts in the lawn. The truck should discharge directly from the street or a stable gravel path.

• Chute Reach: The standard chute on a concrete truck can reach about 12 to 15 feet from the back of the truck.
• Alternative Transport: If the truck cannot get within 15 feet of your pour area, you must arrange for wheelbarrows, a motorized buggy, or hire a concrete pump truck (line or boom pump) to transfer the concrete.

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4. The Delivery Ticket Checklist

When the truck arrives, the driver will hand you a delivery ticket. Before signing or allowing the pour to begin, check the following details:

1. Batch Time: Concrete has a maximum placement window of 90 minutes from the batch time stamped on the ticket. If the truck has been sitting in traffic for over two hours, the concrete may have started to set, making it weak.
2. PSI & Mix Name: Double-check that the ticket matches your requested PSI and includes air entrainment if specified.
3. Water Added: The driver will note any water added on-site. Keep this to a minimum to preserve strength.
4. Standby Time: Most delivery companies include 60 minutes of free unloading time. If you take longer than an hour to empty the truck, they will bill you a standby charge (often $2 to $3 per minute).

For current per-yard pricing in your area, see our ready-mix concrete cost per yard guide.