The roof slab (lenter) is the most time-critical day on a house build. Once concrete starts, it must continue without long breaks. A reliable mixer, with backup, is essential. This page covers site mixer hire; ready-mix concrete delivered by transit trucks is a separate option your contractor may suggest.
Types and specifications
| Type | Description | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Small drum mixer (half-bag or one-bag) | Tilting drum, electric or diesel | Small pours, floors, repairs, plaster mortar |
| Standard site mixer | Larger drum, usually diesel, with hopper | House slabs, beams, columns |
| Mixer with lift / hoist | Mixer combined with a lift to carry concrete up | Upper-floor slabs |
| Needle vibrator | Poker vibrator to compact concrete | Every structural pour |
| Concrete pump (separate hire) | Pumps concrete to height or distance | Larger pours, usually with ready-mix |
Mixer capacity is usually described by the number of cement bags it can mix per batch. Ask the supplier for the drum size and expected batches per hour.
What each is used for
- Slab pour on a house: standard site mixer plus at least one vibrator, often with a lift
- Columns and beams: standard or small mixer
- Floors and PCC: small or standard mixer
- Plaster and masonry mortar: small mixer
Checks before and on pour day
- Test run: start the mixer before the pour; check engine, drum rotation and tilt.
- Fuel: enough diesel on site for the whole pour, plus reserve.
- Vibrator: working, with a spare if possible.
- Backup: agree with the supplier that a replacement mixer can be sent if this one fails.
- Operator: knows batching and keeps a steady rate.
- Materials ready: cement, sand, crush, water and steel checked by your engineer before the mixer starts.
- Weather: avoid starting a large pour when heavy rain is forecast.
How much you need
For a house, usually one mixer per pour, plus vibrators. For quantities of cement, sand and crush, use your structural drawings and your engineer's mix design. Houseplot construction rate data (2026-10-18) gives dated Lahore rates for cement, sand and crush for budgeting materials, but mixer hours depend on slab volume, batching speed and labour.
Hiring tips
- Book early. Slab days are busy; confirm the date and time in writing.
- Agree the basis: per day, per pour, or per hour, with minimum hours.
- Fuel and operator: included or separate.
- Transport: delivery and pickup charges.
- Breakdown clause: no charge for downtime and replacement within a set time.
- Payment: after the pour, against agreed terms.
- Curing: plan water for curing after the pour; see water bowser hire if supply is limited.
- Safety: keep hands and tools clear of the moving drum; use proper footing near hoists.
What affects the price
- Mixer size and type (electric or diesel)
- With or without lift or hoist
- Hire basis and minimum period
- Fuel and operator
- Vibrators and extras
- Transport distance
- Night pours or long shifts
- Demand on the day (weekends and peak season are busier)
We do not publish rates. Ask for written quotes on the same equipment list.
Pour-day sequence
- Confirm the engineer has checked shuttering and steel.
- Start and test the mixer and vibrators.
- Batch and mix as per the engineer's mix and water quantity.
- Place and vibrate concrete steadily without long breaks.
- Finish the surface and start curing as advised.
FAQs
Should I use a site mixer or ready-mix concrete? Site mixers suit small and medium house pours. Ready-mix gives more consistent quality and speed for larger pours but needs truck access. Ask your engineer.
How many vibrators do I need? At least one working vibrator with a spare for a house slab. Your engineer may advise more for larger pours.
What happens if the mixer breaks mid-pour? That is why you agree a backup in advance. A long break can create a cold joint in the slab; your engineer will advise how to handle it.
Can the same mixer be used for plaster? Yes, a small mixer is often used for mortar and plaster.
Sources
- Houseplot construction rate data (2026-10-18) — dated Lahore cement, sand and crush rates for material budgeting