How to order a short load of concrete
What a short load is, how volumetric trucks differ from ready-mix, and the checklist of details to have ready when you call a concrete supplier for a small pour.
5 min read · Updated ·
Small jobs — footings, a pad, a few fence posts, a landing — often need a yard or two. Many plants have delivery minimums or charge extra for small loads, so it pays to know your options.
What “short load” means
A short load is any delivery well below a truck’s full capacity. Ready-mix plants set their own minimums and small-load charges, and they vary a lot — always ask when you call. Some suppliers specialize in small loads; browse short-load concrete.
Volumetric trucks: mix on site
A volumetric mixer carries sand, stone, cement and water separately and mixes concrete at your site (ASTM C685). You can stop when the forms are full, and the driver can often adjust the mix on the spot. Drum-truck ready-mix is batched at a plant and delivered in a rotating drum (ASTM C94). Both make good concrete; volumetric is especially handy when you are unsure of the exact quantity or need several small pours in one visit.
Have these answers ready
- Quantity in cubic yards — use the patio calculator method.
- What it is for (footing, slab, post holes, driveway) so the supplier can suggest a mix and strength.
- Slump / workability and whether you need air entrainment for freeze–thaw exposure.
- Access: how close the truck can get, overhead wires, soft ground, slopes. If it cannot reach, ask about a line pump or plan wheelbarrows and helpers.
- Timing: the supplier will have a time allowance on site; ask what it is and what extra time costs.
- Washout: where the driver can rinse the chute — many towns prohibit washing into storm drains.
- Payment terms and whether a deposit is required.
Be ready when the truck arrives
Forms set and checked, base compacted, reinforcement in place, tools and helpers on hand. Concrete keeps working whether you are ready or not.
Common questions
What is the minimum concrete I can order?
It depends on the supplier. Many ready-mix plants have minimums or small-load fees; short-load specialists and volumetric trucks often deliver smaller amounts. Call and ask.
Is volumetric concrete as good as ready-mix?
Both can produce concrete that meets specifications. Ready-mix is covered by ASTM C94 and volumetric by ASTM C685; quality depends on the producer and mix design.
Sources
General information only. Codes, soils and climates vary — check your local building department and follow product instructions.