Site Mixed Concrete vs Traditional Delivery – Making the Right Choice
Why choose volumetric concrete vs ready mix drum lorries? Here’s the difference to focus on – ready-mix arrives pre-prepared from a batching plant in a set quantity, while volumetric concrete, often called mix on-site concrete, is made exactly when and where you need it. This means you get the freshest possible mix and only pay for what you actually use.
The team at Custom Concrete has over 20 years’ experience delivering site mixed concrete throughout the local area (Beds, Herts & Bucks). Yes, we’re experts in this method! But we also recognise that our customers need clear, honest advice. This quick guide gives you a straightforward look at the practical advantages of volumetric mixing when compared to ready mix concrete. Hopefully it helps you to decide which is the best fit for your specific needs.
Situations Where Ready-Mix Concrete Could Be Your Best Option
While Custom Concrete specialises in volumetric concrete, our priority is in ensuring that people choose the right method for their job. So, here’s our view on when ready-mix concrete might be the better choice for you.
Ready mix drum lorries are designed for projects needing a large, fixed quantity of concrete. If you have a straightforward job needing a bulk delivery, where the exact volume is known in advance, and it’s going to be poured all at once, then a ready-mix lorry would work well.
Ideal for large industrial floors or foundations where consistent, plant-batched concrete is the priority.
The Volumetric Benefits – Fresh Concrete, Tailored On-Site
So, how does volumetric concrete actually work, and how might it be a better fit for your job? Our volumetric trucks are very different from the traditional drum lorry; they work like a mobile batching plant carrying concrete as separate ingredients – cement, aggregates, water, and any admixtures.
Site mixed concrete is created fresh, right there on your Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, or Buckinghamshire site, just moments before it’s poured. This isn’t a mass industrial process; it’s a precise, human-scale operation. Our experienced programmers works with you, adjusting the mix or quantity in real-time based on your project’s actual needs and site conditions.
Advantages of Choosing Volumetric Concrete:
- Ultimate Freshness & Quality – Concrete is mixed seconds before placement, giving you maximum workability and strength – no risk of it starting to set in a drum during transit.
- Pay Only For What You Use – We mix the exact amount required, down to the last barrow load. No waste, no paying for surplus you didn’t need. Our Custom Concrete Calculator helps customers to order the exact volume they need, and this can be tweaked on-site.
- Flexibility On-Site – Need a slightly different mix strength for another part of the job? Or just realised you need a bit more or less? We can tweak the mix design or volume during the pour – a level of adaptability ready-mix can’t offer.
- No ‘Part Load’ Worries – Because we mix on demand, you avoid potential extra charges often associated with ordering less than a full ready-mix drum.
- Ideal for Varied Needs – Perfect for projects with multiple small pours, different mix requirements, or where exact quantities are hard to predict upfront.
- Reach Difficult Areas – Combined with our concrete pump hire service, we can deliver fresh concrete precisely where needed, even in tricky access spots.
Your Next Step – Talk to Your Local Concrete Specialists
We hope we’ve persuaded you of the many advantages of volumetric concrete over traditional ready-mix for many types of building projects. Still have questions? Our friendly customer service team, with years of experience, is always happy to help. They can guide you on the best mix for your job, explain technical details clearly, help you estimate volume, and arrange delivery schedules.
“Had two loads delivered last week to Ampthill Football Club in Ampthill Park, both delivery’s were on time and driver Dean and driver Will were brilliant and very accommodating especially Will on fri when we had a slightly challenging access point , Will and Dean even jumped on the barrow to help, thanks fellas.
Well done to all from first phone call to delivery, I was fully informed.
Five stars *****”
Take the guesswork out of ordering. Contact Custom Concrete today on 01525 861 899 or fill out our online form for advice and a free quote.