When planning any building or landscaping project, from a new driveway, fresh alfresco or custom feature area, concrete often plays a foundational role. Increasingly, in modern times, homeowners, builders and designers alike are turning to ready mix concrete for its convenience, consistency and quality.
However, ordering ready mix concrete isn’t just about picking a product from a list. To get the most favourable outcome, particularly if you’re opting for a decorative mix, there are a range of important factors to consider. From choosing the right supplier to preparing your site for delivery, a little upfront knowledge and preparation goes a long way in ensuring a smooth project and a stunning finished result.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through five crucial things you should know before placing an order – so you can approach your next home improvement project with confidence and clarity.
What Is Ready Mix Concrete?
Ready mix concrete is a pre-prepared blend of cement, aggregates, water and optional admixtures, precisely batched at a concrete plant and delivered directly to your job site in a mixing truck. Unlike site-mixed concrete, where components are manually combined on the job site, ready mix offers the benefits of speed, consistency and reduced labour.
Ready mix is the go-to choice for most projects, including everything from structural pours to decorative finishes. In particular, for finishes like exposed aggregate, honed concrete or polished interior floors, ready mix concrete ensures the precision and consistency that these applications require.
#1. Know Your Concrete Mix Requirements
It is important to understand that not all concrete is the same. One of the biggest mistakes when ordering ready mix concrete is assuming that one mix suits all applications. Different projects have different performance and aesthetic requirements, which need to be taken into account prior to placing the order:
- Driveways: Require a durable mix capable of withstanding vehicle loads and frequent use.
- Pool Surrounds: Need a surface with slip resistance and a refined appearance, like exposed aggregate or liquid limestone.
- Indoor Flooring: Calls for decorative finishes such as polished concrete, where consistency and visual clarity are essential.
Limecrete offers a wide range of decorative concrete mixes designed for Perth homes and businesses. Our honed, exposed and polished blends are crafted for long term durability and visual impact. Knowing the exact finish you want will help ensure you order the correct mix from the outset, avoiding issues later in the piece.
Tip: Confirm your desired finish with your installer early, so the right mix and texture are specified from the beginning of your project.
#2. Choose The Right Supplier
The supplier you choose will determine the quality and consistency of your concrete. Decorative applications in particular require mixes that are both technically sound and visually consistent – down to the tone, texture and distribution of aggregates.
At Limecrete, we’re proud to be one of Perth’s leading suppliers of custom concrete mixes, delivering decorative solutions that meet the highest standards of appearance and performance. Our team works closely with builders, designers and homeowners to deliver the ideal mix for each project, whether it’s an outdoor entertaining space or a decorative interior floor decorative interior floor.
It’s also important to understand that Limecrete is a supply-only company. We do not pour or install concrete, but we can recommend experienced contractors who are well-versed in finishing our mixes correctly. A quality mix deserves expert handling, and working with a concreter who is familiar with Limecrete products ensures your project is completed to a high standard.
#3. Timing & Scheduling Matter
Concrete waits for no one and once it leaves the plant, the clock starts ticking. This reinforces the importance of adequate preparation and precision timing.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Ready mix concrete must be poured the day it’s delivered.
- Your site must be fully prepped and accessible before the truck arrives.
- Your contractor needs to be ready to pour immediately to prevent quality loss.
If you’re using decorative concrete, timing becomes even more critical. Finish quality and curing depend heavily on a controlled pour and consistent timing.
In Perth, seasonal factors also come into play. Summer heat can accelerate setting, while winter rain can introduce delays or surface issues. Discuss your timing with your contractor to find the ideal window, helping to ensure the project is completed to your vision.
#4. Site Access & Preparation Are Critical
Ready mix concrete is delivered via large trucks that are subject to strict access requirements. In residential areas, Limecrete’s delivery vehicles do not drive onto private sites. This means all pours are conducted from the curb unless access is guaranteed and the ground is solid and stable.
If the pour location isn’t accessible, you’ll need to make alternative arrangements, such as hiring a concrete pump. This requires additional planning and coordination with your concreter.
Key site access factors to assess include:
- Distance from roadside to pour zone
- Driveway width and turning radius
- Overhead clearance from trees, eaves or powerlines
- Ground conditions – sandy soil, grass or sloped surfaces can restrict access
To avoid delays or delivery complications, ensure all access limitations are discussed in advance with your concreter. It’s also a good idea to have someone onsite during delivery to help coordinate pump placement and truck positioning in real time.
#5. Decorative Finishes Require Experienced Installers
Decorative concrete adds real visual impact to a property, but achieving a flawless finish largely depends on the installer rather than the product.
Whether you’re going for exposed aggregate, honed concrete or a polished internal floor, your contractor’s expertise plays a vital role in:
- Consistent exposure and texture
- Proper curing and sealing
- Smooth, even surface finishing
At Limecrete, we engineer our mixes specifically for decorative applications. However, we don’t pour or install concrete ourselves. That’s why we always recommend working with professionals who understand the specific demands of decorative concrete finishing.
If you’re unsure of who to work with, ask us! We have a trusted network of skilled contractors throughout Perth who regularly work with our products and understand how to achieve the best outcome.
Questions To Ask Before You Order
Here’s a quick checklist to help you prepare before placing your ready mix concrete order:
- What finish do I want – honed, exposed or polished?
- Has my chosen concreter worked with decorative concrete mixes before?
- Is my site fully prepared and levelled for pouring?
- Are there any access issues for delivery trucks?
- Do I understand the curing process and maintenance requirements?
- Is the delivery timed correctly with installation and environmental conditions?
Ensuring you are well prepared helps to reduce risk, ensures a smooth delivery and puts you in the best position for a high quality finish you’ll enjoy for years.
Conclusion
Ordering ready mix concrete might seem like a straightforward task, but getting it right requires planning, insight and the right partners. From selecting the ideal mix for your project to ensuring your site is prepped and your team is ready to pour, preparation is paramount. For those working with decorative concrete, the stakes are even higher – precision and experience matter throughout each phase of the process.
By understanding your requirements, choosing a reliable supplier and engaging experienced contractors, you lay the foundation for a successful outcome that delivers both form and function. That’s where Limecrete comes in.
As Perth’s decorative concrete specialists, we supply high performance ready mix concrete mixes tailored to modern homes, commercial projects and bespoke applications. Our range of custom concrete mixes are engineered to meet your design vision while delivering durability, aesthetic appeal and long-term property value.
Whether you’re building a driveway, alfresco area or showstopping internal floor, start your project with the right mix – start with Limecrete.
Contact our team today to discuss your project, or explore our decorative concrete range to find the perfect mix for your next pour.
