Bloody concrete companies

[flanagaj]

Order the concrete and was told that there would be two trucks arriving.  One truck turns up pours and then we’ve been waiting an hour and still no second truck.  We’ve covered up the concrete, but I’m getting concerned now.

[Redbeard]

Fingers are crossed on your behalf. 

[flanagaj]

5 minutes ago, Redbeard said:

Fingers are crossed on your behalf. 

It’s really frustrating.  When you have ordered a certain quantity, they surely know that you need to get it all poured within a given time frame.

[markc]

Oh no! … I really hope they get back to you soon. For my man cave pour I got the opposite end … asked for 2 batch trucks, probably 3 loads so one truck could go back for the third load …. I got 4 trucks at the same time on a narrow lane with passing points.

[Russell griffiths]

I’m afraid you need to be firmer on the phone and say what you want. 
say you have a pump on site and need trucks at 30 min intervals for the first two, then the first one returns for the third load, probably hour and half after he was there the first time. 
should be all in the ground by 11.30. 
im afraid you need to be firm and try not to sound like a diy er. 
 

you will get it sorted for the floor slab. 

[Oz07]

20 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

I’m afraid you need to be firmer on the phone and say what you want. 
say you have a pump on site and need trucks at 30 min intervals for the first two, then the first one returns for the third load, probably hour and half after he was there the first time. 
should be all in the ground by 11.30. 
im afraid you need to be firm and try not to sound like a diy er. 
 

you will get it sorted for the floor slab. 

This is why I said to use connected firms for pump and crete. Better still if same company supplying both. Incentiveised to get it done then

[saveasteading]

10 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

try not to sound like a diy er. 

I wouldn't worry about that. They want efficient use of their trucks too, so just talk to people. 

Their truck might have been held up by an earlier client.

Did it all work out ok? Any concerns or all sorted?

If this was to happen with the slab then it might need some skill so make sure to have a plan. we are here for you.

Tell them clearly that you want truck one at one time and truck 2 at another. If that doesn't work for them then discuss.

I'm a bit surprised they didn't ask you.

 

otoh the 3 trucks siting waiting is almost bullying. Their choice and if they have nothing else to do, then fair enough.

 

[flanagaj]

We got it sorted eventually and the two final trucks arrived together, but the buggers fleeced us and the driver went to my wife and she signed the ticket and we apparently used 29.5 M3, but my calculations were 24m3

 

 

[flanagaj]

1 hour ago, flanagaj said:

We got it sorted eventually and the two final trucks arrived together, but the buggers fleeced us and the driver went to my wife and she signed the ticket and we apparently used 29.5 M3, but my calculations were 24m3

Just looking at the ticket and they ticked extra water added via customer request.  We never requested extra water be added and I'm not sure if this is the default when you use a pump?

[JohnMo]

1 hour ago, flanagaj said:

apparently used 29.5 M3, but my calculations were 24m3

You pay by the load you order, if you only wanted 24m³, that's what you should have asked for.

 

5 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

Just looking at the ticket and they ticked extra water added via customer request

What slump did you ask for?

Edited 2 hours ago by JohnMo

[saveasteading]

Water is only added if requested. A pump mix does not need extra water either.

 

Unless it is a mix on site (volumetric) wagon, then you will only have what you ordered.

If it is mixed on site then they will provide more until you say to stop.

[flanagaj]

5 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

You pay by the load you order, if you only wanted 24m³, that's what you should have asked for.

 

What slump did you ask for?

I just asked for C25 and as we used a pump, I assumed they'd do the mix accordingly as it was clear it was for footings.  It was a volumetric supply and mixed on site, not ready mixed.

[flanagaj]

1 minute ago, saveasteading said:

Water is only added if requested.

That's interesting.  We never requested extra water and I've just checked the ticket and the driver checked that box.   My wife who had nothing to do with the pour, signed it without thinking 😮‍💨

[saveasteading]

3 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

as we used a pump, I assumed they'd do the mix accordingly 

A pump mix is designed according to the local materials. Eg river gravel flows more readily than crushed rock. Then the stone and sand are mixed to a recipe provided by their lab. There is an additive too, basically a detergent.

The water content is prescribed too and they even allow for how wet the sand is.

 

That's naughty re theadded water. I've known operatives to sign thinking it was a delivery ticket, not about water.

Maybe the driver thought he was being helpful, not understanding the issue. But they should be trained to know.

 

It's a mass footing so should be ok.

Adding water for any complex structure or for a slab is not acceptable, so instruct all your people and each delivery driver on arrival next time.

 

Re the quantity. I've never known an issue so the likeliest reason is your estimate... sorry.

 

 

[JohnMo]

27 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

volumetric supply and mixed on site

You know how to spend money, not the cheap way to do anything. We used a couple of times for small ICF fill areas and it allowed to barrow it in. But small quantities cost nearly the same as the bulk fills.

[flanagaj]

6 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

A pump mix is designed according to the local materials. Eg river gravel flows more readily than crushed rock. Then the stone and sand are mixed to a recipe provided by their lab. There is an additive too, basically a detergent.

The water content is prescribed too and they even allow for how wet the sand is.

 

That's naughty re theadded water. I've known operatives to sign thinking it was a delivery ticket, not about water.

Maybe the driver thought he was being helpful, not understanding the issue. But they should be trained to know.

 

It's a mass footing so should be ok.

Adding water for any complex structure or for a slab is not acceptable, so instruct all your people and each delivery driver on arrival next time.

 

Re the quantity. I've never known an issue so the likeliest reason is your estimate... sorry.

I'm sure it's fine.  They are 525mm thick.  I've asked the company to provide exact details of the 3 loads, as I want to know exactly what they did.  I won't hold my breath though.

 

I was wondering if I should cover the concrete and be mixing it or should I simply leave it.  The brickie is scheduled to start laying on Thursday?

[flanagaj]

27 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

You know how to spend money, not the cheap way to do anything. We used a couple of times for small ICF fill areas and it allowed to barrow it in. But small quantities cost nearly the same as the bulk fills.

The volumetric was comparable at £140 m3

[flanagaj]

3 hours ago, Oz07 said:

This is why I said to use connected firms for pump and crete. Better still if same company supplying both. Incentiveised to get it done then

Pump was supplied by the concrete company.  I think it's been a long day and when things don't go smoothly, you wonder what other corners may have been cut.  Damn, I'm catastrophising again.