Concrete Delivery Day: What to Expect, Site Checklist & Surcharges
When your concrete arrives you get about 7 minutes of free unloading per cubic metre before waiting charges start. Have site access clear, formwork set, and a crew ready before the truck rolls in. This guide covers what happens on the day, every surcharge, and a readiness checklist for both DIY and pros.
A concrete delivery is on a clock. Once the agitator truck arrives, the load is setting — most suppliers allow about 7 minutes of free unloading per cubic metre, then waiting time is charged at $2–3/minute. Australia pours over 12 million cubic metres of ready-mix concrete a year (CCAA), and the difference between a smooth pour and an expensive one is almost always preparation, not the concrete.
This page is the quick rundown for the day itself. If you want the deep technical prep, jump to the site preparation checklist (DIY) or the site access & safety guide (trade).
What Happens on Delivery Day
A standard residential pour follows the same six beats. The whole sequence — from the truck arriving to washout — typically runs 30–90 minutes depending on volume and access.
Take the driver's call (~30 minutes out)
The driver calls ahead. Confirm the address, where to set up, and any access notes — narrow gate, soft ground, or pump required.
Position the truck
Guide the truck to the pour point. On trade sites a Hi-Vis spotter directs all reversing; the driver cannot spot for themselves.
Check the delivery docket
Before any concrete is discharged, check the docket matches your order: grade (e.g. N25), slump, and volume in m³.
Discharge the load
You get about 7 minutes free per m³ before waiting charges apply. Direct the chute or pump and keep the pour moving. Never add water to the mix.
Place, screed and finish
Work the concrete into the forms, screed level, then float and finish. Have enough people on site so it never sets ahead of you.
Wash out and sign off
Provide a washout area or skip — chutes can't be rinsed onto the street. Confirm the final delivered volume against the docket.
Concrete Delivery Surcharges Explained
The headline price per cubic metre is rarely the final figure. These are the charges that catch people out — every one of them is avoidable with a bit of planning. Ranges below are indicative Sydney figures for 2026; see the Sydney concrete pricing guide for live, postcode-based pricing.
| Charge | Typical Sydney cost (2026) | When it applies | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waiting time | $2–3/min after 7 min free per m³ | Crew or site not ready when the truck arrives | Be fully set up before the truck rolls in |
| Short-load fee | $40–60/m³ on the shortfall (often +$50–200) | Orders under ~4m³ | Combine pours, or use a mini-mix truck |
| Weekend delivery | +$50–80 | Saturday or Sunday pours | Book a weekday morning |
| After-hours | +$40–70 | Outside standard plant hours | Book within normal plant hours |
| Pump hire | Line pump $550–800; boom $800–1,500+ | Truck can't reach within ~5–6m of the pour | Check access early and book the pump with the order |
| Standby / failed access | $200–400/hr; up to full load if the truck leaves | Truck can't safely access or discharge | Walk the access route 48 hours ahead |
| Washout / environmental | Provide a skip or washout area | Chute washout on site | Set aside a washout spot before delivery |
Indicative ranges. Suppliers publish their own schedules — see Boral and Holcim concrete service-fee documents for current figures.
Are You Ready? Pre-Pour Checklist
Work through the shared basics, then the track that matches you. If a line isn't ticked, sort it before the truck is booked — not on the morning of the pour.
Everyone — the non-negotiables
- Truck path measured: 3–3.5m wide, 4–4.5m overhead clear (watch gates, eaves, branches, power lines)
- Ground firm enough for a 30–40 tonne truck — no soft lawn, wet clay, or fresh fill
- Formwork set, level, and braced; reinforcement on chairs
- Someone on site to direct the truck and check the docket
- Weather checked — rain within 4 hours or above 35°C means rethink the slot
If you're DIY / owner-builder
- Line up 2–3 helpers for anything over ~2m³ — concrete sets faster than one person can place it
- Tools out and ready: screed board, bull float, edger, gloves, gumboots
- Don't plan to drive the truck across the lawn — keep it on hard standing and extend the chute
- Never add water to make it easier to place — it weakens the slab
If you're a pro / builder
- Hi-Vis spotter for all reversing; traffic management for any roadside pour
- Power-line clearances mapped: 0.9m domestic, 3m sub-transmission
- Open trenches kept back depth + 1m from the truck path
- Washout area / skip arranged; wheel wash if exiting to a public road
5 Ways to Avoid Surprise Charges
- Be ready before the truck arrives. Waiting time is the most common surprise charge. Everything set, crew on site, tools out.
- Walk the access route 48 hours ahead. Measure width and overhead, check the ground, and book a pump if the truck can't get within ~5–6m. A failed access can cost the full load.
- Order the right volume. Add ~10% wastage so you don't run short, but avoid tiny under-4m³ loads that trigger short-load fees. The calculator sizes it for you.
- Book a weekday morning. Weekend and after-hours slots carry premiums and fill early — a Tuesday 7am pour is cheaper and cooler.
- Provide a washout spot. Drivers can't rinse chutes onto the street; have a skip or a contained area ready so the truck isn't held up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when the concrete truck arrives?
How long does a concrete truck wait before charging?
What is a short-load fee?
Do I need to be home for a concrete delivery?
What surcharges should I expect on a concrete delivery?
Can the concrete truck drive onto my property?
Do I need a spotter for a concrete delivery?
What happens if the truck can't access my site?
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