18^th May 2025 · Tips & Advice

Which type of concrete delivery is best for your construction project?

Concrete is the lifeblood of countless construction projects, forming strong foundations and durable structures. But before the first pour, a crucial decision must be made: how will this essential material reach your site?

Choosing the right concrete delivery method can significantly impact the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and overall success of your project. We understand that every project is unique, and selecting the optimal delivery solution is vital.

This informative guide will explore the key factors to consider and delve into the two primary delivery methods, ready-mix and volumetric concrete, helping you make an informed choice for your specific needs.

What to consider before you choose your concrete delivery

Before exploring the different delivery methods, it’s important to assess the specific requirements and constraints of your construction project. Considering the following factors will help you make a well-informed decision.

Volume of concrete required

The sheer quantity of concrete your project demands is a primary determiner. Our volumetric concrete delivery service offers excellent flexibility. While half a cubic metre represents our minimum delivery for volumetric concrete, we are equipped to handle projects of all sizes.

For those unfamiliar with ordering concrete, our nifty Concrete Calculator is an invaluable tool for accurately estimating your needs. Whether you require concrete for the foundations of an extension, a patio, a new-build property, or multiple residential or commercial premises, we can supply all the concrete you need at a highly competitive price.

For substantial commercial or infrastructure projects demanding significant quantities, both our ready-mix and volumetric options are available, with ready-mix often proving more economical for very large, consistently poured volumes.

However, for smaller to medium-sized projects, and particularly where precise volume estimation is challenging, volumetric concrete ensures you only pay for what you use, reducing both waste and cost.

Site accessibility

The ease with which concrete delivery vehicles can access your construction site is a critical logistical consideration. Sites with narrow lanes, tight corners, overhead obstructions (like low-hanging wires or trees), or soft ground can pose challenges for large ready-mix trucks.

Smaller volumetric trucks often offer greater manoeuvrability and can navigate more challenging terrains. For projects in remote areas, the availability and cost of delivery can vary significantly between methods. Consider the distance from the concrete plant and the potential for additional transportation charges.

City centre projects often face issues with traffic congestion and limited parking, making precise ready-mix delivery coordination complex. However, we offer a quick and seamless concrete barrowing service across the North East, providing an effective solution for sites with restricted access.

This flexible service allows residential and commercial customers to have one of our professional team members carry out the barrowing process for you. Alternatively, you can utilise one of the two wheelbarrows provided free of charge on each of our wagons if you prefer to move the concrete yourself.

Whatever the size of the project, we aim to work as quickly as possible with minimal disruption. Our budget-friendly concrete barrowing service is particularly ideal for small-scale residential projects, such as fetching and pouring concrete mixture for room floors inside a house, as well as for driveways, paving, shed bases and fencing.

Our team are trained to ensure the right amount of concrete is poured for the area, and we are always happy to advise on the number of wheelbarrows, or the amount of concrete required for your domestic project. This service significantly mitigates accessibility issues for ready-mix deliveries, so that even hard-to-reach areas can be efficiently serviced.

Timing and schedule

The timing and scheduling of your concrete pour can significantly influence your choice of delivery method. Ready-mix concrete requires careful scheduling to make sure the concrete arrives exactly when needed. Delays can lead to costly downtime, while early arrivals can cause congestion on-site.

Volumetric concrete provides enhanced flexibility in this regard. Our growing fleet of volumetric mixers delivers high-quality concrete rapidly with on-the-spot mixing.

Serving areas from Amble to Middlesbrough, each of our wagons holds approximately 9m³ per load, allowing us to cater to a wide range of project sizes. A significant advantage of our volumetric concrete service is the ability to supply any amount of concrete, from small domestic jobs to large-scale commercial construction, limiting concerns about over or under-ordering.

Furthermore, understanding that different parts of a job might require specific mixes, our volumetric mixers allow for the delivery of different strengths during a single delivery, offering considerable savings in both time and money compared to coordinating separate ready-mix deliveries.

While precise scheduling is still important for efficient workflow, the on-demand mixing capability of our volumetric trucks reduces the risk of concrete setting during transit delays and offers greater adaptability to unforeseen changes in your project timeline.

Our wagons are regularly calibrated, and we conduct periodic cube testing with a certified lab to guarantee the highest quality concrete with the correct weight and ratio for each specific grade. This means that, while you benefit from flexible timing, you also receive a consistently high-quality product.

Concrete mix requirements

The specific requirements of your concrete mix can also influence your delivery choice. For common concrete mixes, both ready-mix and volumetric suppliers can readily provide the required specifications.

If your project requires highly specialised mixes with specific admixtures or aggregates, it’s crucial to ensure that your chosen supplier can accommodate these needs.

While our bulk aggregate delivery service focuses on supplying the individual components of concrete, such as sand, limestone, gravel, granite, and slate, in quantities ranging from one tonne to 29 tonnes per load, this service complements our concrete delivery options.

We can deliver these aggregates loose or bagged across the North East, providing a cost-effective solution for those who prefer to mix their own concrete for specific applications or have very particular aggregate requirements.

Different concrete delivery methods: advantages and disadvantages

Now, let’s delve into the two primary concrete delivery methods available, examining their respective advantages and disadvantages:

1. Ready-mix concrete

Ready-mix concrete is batched at a central plant according to a specified mix design and then transported to your site in a truck mixer. For projects with limited access that require large quantities of ready-mix concrete, we recommend employing our concrete pump service.

Advantages:

• Established quality control: Ready-mix plants adhere to strict quality control standards, guaranteeing consistent mix proportions and concrete strength.
• Large volume capacity: Ready-mix trucks can deliver significant volumes of concrete in a single trip, making it efficient for large pours.
• Potentially lower cost for large volumes: For substantial orders, the per-cubic-metre cost of ready-mix concrete can often be more competitive.
• Wide range of mix designs: Ready-mix plants can produce a vast array of standard and specialised concrete mixes to meet diverse project requirements.
• Efficient for continuous pours: With careful coordination, multiple ready-mix deliveries can provide a steady supply of concrete for large, continuous pours.

Disadvantages: 

• Less flexibility in timing: Deliveries must be scheduled precisely, and delays on-site can lead to the concrete setting in the truck, resulting in waste and potential charges.
• Risk of over or under-ordering: Estimating the exact volume required can be challenging, potentially leading to excess concrete that you have to pay for or a shortfall that requires an additional delivery.
• Potential for waste: If the pour takes longer than anticipated or if there are delays, some concrete in the truck may become unusable.

2. Volumetric concrete:

Volumetric concrete is mixed on-site using a specialised truck that carries the unmixed ingredients (cement, aggregates, water and admixtures) in separate compartments. The concrete is then mixed to the required specification at the point of delivery, and you pay only for the exact amount you use.

Advantages: 

• On-demand mixing and flexibility: Concrete is mixed only when and where you need it, offering excellent flexibility in pour duration and reducing waste.
• Only pay for what you use: You are charged for the exact volume of concrete poured, eliminating the risk of paying for excess material.
• Adjustable mixes: Our volumetric trucks allow for minor adjustments to the mix design on-site to suit different stages of the pour.
• Suitable for small to medium volumes: Volumetric delivery can be particularly cost-effective for projects where the exact volume is uncertain or for smaller pours that fall below ready-mix minimums.
• Reduced risk of concrete setting: As the concrete is mixed on-site, there is no risk of it setting during transit.
• Continuous pouring capability: Volumetric trucks can provide a continuous supply of freshly mixed concrete for extended pours.

Disadvantages: 

• Potentially higher per-metre cost for large volumes: For very large pours, the per-cubic-metre cost of volumetric concrete might be slightly higher than a bulk ready-mix order.
• On-site space required for mixing: Although the truck carries the materials, sufficient space is needed on-site for the mixing and pouring process.
• Thorough communication of mix requirements is crucial: Clear and precise communication of your desired mix design to the volumetric supplier is essential to ensure the correct concrete is produced.

Partner with Titan Concrete for your next concrete delivery

We offer both ready-mix and volumetric concrete delivery services across the North East. We also understand that choosing the right method is crucial for the success of your project, and our experienced team is here to provide expert advice and guidance.

Whether you require a precise volume of ready-mix for a large commercial development or the flexibility of volumetric concrete for a smaller residential project with challenging access, we have the solutions to meet your needs. We pride ourselves on our reliable service, high-quality concrete and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Ultimately, the best type of concrete delivery for your construction project depends on a careful evaluation of your specific requirements and constraints. Consider the volume needed, site accessibility, timing and schedule, budget, and the complexity of your concrete mix.

By weighing the advantages and disadvantages of ready-mix and volumetric concrete in relation to these factors, you can make an informed decision that optimises efficiency, keeps costs down and guarantees the successful completion of your next project.

Contact Titan Concrete today for a quote and expert advice on the best concrete delivery solution for your needs. We are here to help you build a solid foundation for success.