Evans Ready Mix: What to Know About Concrete Delivery in South Carolina
Evans Ready Mix supplies concrete to construction sites across South Carolina
Evans Ready Mix is a concrete supplier based in South Carolina that delivers ready-mixed concrete to job sites. The company produces concrete in batches and transports it in mixer trucks, which means the concrete arrives wet and workable—ready to pour immediately. This is different from buying bags of dry concrete mix at a hardware store; ready-mix concrete is ordered by the cubic yard and mixed to your project's specific requirements.
If you are planning a foundation, driveway, patio, or other concrete work in South Carolina, understanding how ready-mix suppliers work helps you plan timing, budget, and logistics. Evans Ready Mix serves general contractors, concrete finishers, and property owners undertaking concrete projects of various sizes.
Key Takeaways
- Evans Ready Mix delivers wet concrete in mixer trucks, so you need to be ready to pour the moment the truck arrives.
- Concrete is ordered by the cubic yard, and the amount you need depends on the thickness and square footage of your project.
- You will need to provide site access for a large truck and have workers or equipment ready to handle and finish the concrete.
- Delivery fees, concrete pricing, and minimum order amounts vary by location within South Carolina and current material costs.
- Ordering in advance and confirming delivery details the day before helps prevent delays and ensures the concrete arrives at the right time.
How to calculate concrete needed for your project
The first step in ordering from Evans Ready Mix is figuring out how many cubic yards of concrete your project requires. Concrete is sold by volume, not weight, and the standard unit is the cubic yard. To calculate this, you need three measurements: the length, width, and depth (thickness) of the area you are pouring.
For a simple rectangular project like a driveway or patio, multiply length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27 (the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard). For example, a driveway that is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 4 inches thick would be: (20 × 10 × 1.33 feet) ÷ 27 = approximately 9.9 cubic yards. Most suppliers round up, so you would order 10 cubic yards. For irregular shapes or sloped areas, sketch the project and contact Evans Ready Mix directly—they can help you estimate.
Always order slightly more than your calculation suggests. Concrete settles, and uneven ground or waste during finishing can consume extra material. Most contractors add 5 to 10 percent to their estimate as a buffer.
Preparing your site for concrete delivery
Ready-mix concrete trucks are large vehicles—typically 10 to 14 feet tall and 35 feet long—and they need clear access to your pour site. Before you call to schedule delivery, walk your property and confirm that the truck can reach the area where concrete will be poured. Check for low-hanging power lines, narrow gates, soft ground that might not support the truck's weight, and tight turns.
The concrete must be poured within about 90 minutes of leaving the plant, so timing is critical. Have your site prepared before the truck arrives: forms (wooden frames or barriers) should be in place and level, the ground should be compacted and moistened, and you need enough workers or equipment on hand to receive and spread the concrete. If the truck cannot reach the pour site, you may need to use a pump truck or wheelbarrow relay, which adds cost and time.
Contact Evans Ready Mix a day or two before your scheduled delivery to confirm the time window and alert them to any site access issues. This conversation can prevent the truck from arriving to find an impassable driveway or blocked entrance.
Concrete strength and mix design options
Concrete comes in different strengths, measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). Standard residential concrete is typically 3,000 to 4,000 PSI, which works for driveways, patios, and most foundations. Heavier-duty applications like commercial floors or structures exposed to freeze-thaw cycles may require 4,500 PSI or higher. Evans Ready Mix can discuss your project's requirements and recommend an appropriate mix.
You can also request additives or modifications to the concrete. Air entrainment (tiny air bubbles) helps concrete resist freeze-thaw damage in cold climates. Accelerators speed up curing time if you are pouring in cool weather. Retarders slow curing if you need more time to work the concrete. Fiber reinforcement or wire mesh can be added for crack control. These options affect price and performance, so discuss your climate, timeline, and intended use with the supplier.
Delivery costs and ordering process
Concrete pricing in South Carolina varies by location, current material costs, and the distance from Evans Ready Mix's plant to your job site. Most suppliers charge per cubic yard for the concrete itself, plus a delivery fee that depends on distance and whether the truck can park close to the pour site. Some suppliers also charge a waiting fee if the truck must sit idle while you finish pouring.
Many ready-mix suppliers have minimum order amounts—often 5 to 10 cubic yards—because the cost of sending a truck is high. If your project is smaller, you may find it more economical to buy bagged concrete from a hardware store, though this requires more labor to mix and pour. Contact Evans Ready Mix directly for current pricing, minimum orders, and delivery fees for your specific location and project size.
To place an order, you will typically call or visit the supplier's office with your project details: location, cubic yardage needed, concrete strength, any special additives, and your preferred delivery date. The supplier will confirm availability and give you a delivery time window. Payment terms vary—some require payment on delivery, others invoice after.
What to do if concrete does not arrive or is delayed
Concrete trucks occasionally break down or get delayed by traffic, and weather can affect scheduling. If your truck is running late, stay in touch with Evans Ready Mix—they can usually give you an updated arrival time. If the concrete does arrive but looks wrong (too stiff, wrong color, or contaminated), do not accept it. Notify the driver and the plant immediately; they can return it and send a replacement.
If a delivery is cancelled or rescheduled, confirm the new date and time in writing. Concrete work is time-sensitive, and a missed delivery can disrupt your entire project schedule. Having a written confirmation protects both you and the supplier.
Finishing and curing your concrete
Once the concrete is poured, it must be finished (smoothed, textured, or sealed) and then cured (allowed to harden). Finishing usually happens within the first few hours while the concrete is still workable. Curing takes time—concrete reaches about 70 percent of its strength in 7 days and full strength in 28 days, though you can often walk on it or drive light vehicles on it after 3 to 7 days depending on conditions.
During curing, keep the concrete moist (do not let it dry out too fast) and protect it from heavy traffic or weight. In hot weather, mist it with water. In cold weather, cover it to slow evaporation. Evans Ready Mix can advise on curing practices for your specific mix and climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance do I need to order concrete from Evans Ready Mix?
Most ready-mix suppliers can accommodate orders placed a few days to a week ahead, depending on their schedule and your location. Ordering further in advance is safer, especially during busy seasons. Call to confirm availability for your desired delivery date.
What happens if I order concrete but am not ready to pour?
Once the truck leaves the plant, the concrete begins to set. If you are not ready to pour when it arrives, the concrete may become too stiff to work with, and you may still be charged for the full load. Confirm your readiness with the supplier before they dispatch the truck.
Can I use ready-mix concrete for a small project like a mailbox post?
Ready-mix concrete has a minimum order (often 5 to 10 cubic yards), so it is usually not economical for very small projects. For a single mailbox post or small repair, bagged concrete from a hardware store is more practical and cost-effective.
Does Evans Ready Mix deliver on weekends or evenings?
Delivery hours vary by supplier and location. Contact Evans Ready Mix directly to ask about weekend or evening availability for your area.
What if my driveway or site is too narrow for the concrete truck?
If the truck cannot reach your pour site, you can hire a pump truck (which extends a long hose to the location) or use a wheelbarrow relay. Both add cost and labor. Discuss these options with Evans Ready Mix when you place your order so they can help you plan.