Avoid surcharges on concrete delivery day: what to expect and site readiness checklist
Quotes on MixHub include cartage and mix options chosen before confirming. Most common surcharges with concrete delivery are waiting time and return loads / environmental disposal fee, which can all be easily avoided with the right site prep. Our concrete pour calculator can help you refine your quantity estimates. As for waiting time, concrete suppliers usually include 20–60 minutes unloading time from the moment the truck arrives, so the key is site readiness. See our tips below!
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.
From the moment the agitator truck arrives at the address, the clock is ticking. Current MixHub suppliers include 20–60 minutes unloading time before waiting charges apply, then charge $3–5/minute. This page is the quick rundown for the day itself. If you want the deep technical prep, jump to the site preparation checklist.
What Happens on Delivery Day
A standard residential pour follows these seven beats. The whole sequence — from the truck arriving to washout — typically runs 30–90 minutes depending on volume and access.
Release the order (at least 1 hour before)
At least 1 hour before the scheduled delivery time, release your order from the plant. Ensure access is clear and the truck has sufficient space before doing so.
Position the truck
Upon truck arrival, guide the truck to the pour point.
Check the delivery docket
Before discharging, confirm the docket matches your order: grade (e.g. N25), slump and volume.
Discharge the load
Make sure your team is ready with all the tools the moment discharge begins. Direct the chute and keep the pour moving: after the allowed discharge time, waiting time surcharges may apply. 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.
Washout
Provide a wash-out area or skip: chutes can't be rinsed onto the street.
Sign-off
Confirm the final delivered volume against the docket. Suppliers may charge return loads if returned concrete exceeds a certain volume. Our maps-based concrete volume calculator may help you get the volume right.
Concrete Delivery Surcharges Explained
Your checkout quote shows known supplier charges before you confirm. The figures below reflect usual surcharges applied by suppliers; your postcode, volume, mix and plant determine the exact result. See the Sydney concrete pricing guide for live, postcode-based pricing.
| Charge | Usual surcharge applied by suppliers | When it applies | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waiting time | $3–5/min beyond the 20–60 min included with your order | Clock starts from the moment the truck arrives at the delivery address. Tight access, crew or site not ready when the truck arrives | Be fully set up before the truck rolls in. Double check site access measurements. |
| Minimum cartage | Below 3–4m³: $60–75 per missing m³ | Small orders below the supplier's threshold | Order the right volume; check the live quote |
| Extra cartage | $3.50–12 per extra km per m³ | Beyond the supplier's included distance (usually 11–20 km) | Compare live offers for your delivery address |
| Returned concrete disposal | ~$350/m³ | Customer ordered more than they needed due to inaccurate quantity estimates | Measure site accurately, including waste allowance. Our maps-based concrete volume calculator can help |
| Saturday / after-hours | Varies by plant | Delivery outside of normal working hours | Check live availability before booking |
Are You Ready? Pre-Pour Checklist
Work through this checklist. If a line isn't ticked, sort it before the load is released — 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). With smaller clearance, check whether you need a mini-truck.
- Ground firm enough for a 30–35 tonne truck — no soft lawn, wet clay, or fresh fill
- Someone on site to direct the truck and check the docket
- Weather checked — rain within 4 hours or above 35°C may require rethinking the delivery
- Line up 2–3 helpers for anything over ~2m³ or any wheelbarrow discharge above 0.5m³ — concrete sets faster than one person can place it
- Formwork ready, level, and braced; reinforcement on chairs
- Tools out and ready: screed board, bull float, edger, gloves, gumboots
- Washout area / skip arranged; wheel wash if exiting to a public road
- Order released at least 1 hour before the scheduled delivery time, only once access is clear
- Never add water to the mix
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 before booking. Measure width and overhead, check the ground, and arrange a suitable discharge method if the truck cannot safely reach the pour.
- Order the right volume. Add ~10% wastage so you don't run short. Remember minimum cartage applies below 3–4m³ depending on the supplier. The calculator sizes it for you.
- Book early for the widest choice of slots. Saturday availability varies by plant. Current MixHub suppliers do not add a configured Saturday or after-hours surcharge.
- 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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