Terms and Conditions

2 – TIME OF DELIVERY

The time of dispatch stated in this quotation is an estimate and shall date from the receipt by us of definitive instructions to proceed with the necessary information. We undertake to adhere as closely as possible to the period stated, but we cannot accept liability for failure to do so, or for any loss or delay occasioned by strikes, lockouts, fire, accident, delay in transit after leaving our works, or any other contingency beyond our control.

3 – CANCELLATION OR REARRANGEMENT OF GOODS

Cancellation or rearrangement will only be accepted by us on condition that all costs and expenses incurred by us up to the time of cancellation, along with all loss of profits and other loss or damage resulting from such cancellation are reimbursed immediately by the customer.
We require at least 24-48 hours’ notice for any cancellation or rearrangement.
If you need to change the delivery date or cancel your booking for any reason, you must provide 24-48 hours’ notice, or a £350 call-out charge will apply for each vehicle cancelled en route or on the same day.
Orders requiring two or more vehicles cancelled on the day of delivery will be charged 50% of the total order value. All cancellation fees are subject to VAT.
If you book a Concrete Line Pump and concrete and cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice or on the delivery day, you will be charged the full value of the Concrete Line Pump and 50% of the booked concrete. (This will have been previously discussed on the phone and confirmed via your email response.)
A different cancellation/rearrangement notice period may apply depending on the date and time of your booking, which will be discussed verbally during booking.

4 – WAITING TIME

You will be provided with an allocated time based on your required concrete volume upon booking. After this allocated time, a charge of £2.00 + VAT per minute will be incurred until completion of the pour.
(Prior to booking, we ask if you anticipate requiring additional time. Booking extra time in advance prevents delays for subsequent customers. If additional time is not pre-booked, we cannot guarantee the ability to accommodate extended waiting time due to other commitments.)
We provide a phone call to notify you when the driver is en route, which can be 10-30 minutes prior to arrival. Your site must be prepared by the time our driver arrives. Waiting time will begin if the site is not ready.

5 – ADVERTISEMENTS

All descriptions and illustrations contained on our website, price lists, and other advertising material are intended only to present a general idea of the equipment described and shall not constitute part of the contract.

6 – QUOTATIONS

Unless previously withdrawn, quotations remain valid for acceptance for one week only, unless otherwise stated. Acceptance beyond one week requires written confirmation upon receipt of an order.

7 – TERMS OF PAYMENT

Strictly C.O.D., unless stated otherwise on the reverse of the invoice. Payment may be made by credit or debit card, or cash (plus VAT) upon arrival. Full payment must be handed to the driver before the pour begins; failure to do so may result in delivery delays.

Ownership of the goods shall not transfer to the buyer until full payment is made for the entire consignment. If any goods from the consignment are re-sold or otherwise disposed of by the buyer before full payment, Direct Mini Mix Ltd reserves the right to trace and repossess the goods or recover the proceeds of sale. Any damage caused during repossession will remain the liability of the customer and/or the overseer of the property.

For any contract verbally agreed upon or signed with Direct Mini Mix Limited, the signee is personally liable for all outstanding invoices.

Card payments will be taken for security purposes. All jobs, including pump hire, will be charged either the day before or on the day of delivery, depending on the service booked.

Direct Mini Mix reserves the right to refuse to execute any order if the payment arrangements or the customer’s creditworthiness are deemed unsatisfactory. The company may suspend or discontinue its service to any customer with overdue accounts. Notice of such suspension or discontinuance will be verbally provided to the customer as soon as reasonably possible.

8 – PROPERTY LAW

The contract shall, in every respect, be governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law.

9 – IMPORTANT

Concrete can cause burns. Please wash your skin thoroughly with soap and water after use. Ensure you take appropriate protective measures, as Direct Mini Mix Limited cannot accept responsibility for any burns sustained during or after use.

10 – WATER

Adding extra water on site or to any concrete mix can and will affect the strength of the concrete. By requesting additional water, you agree to the terms outlined in the separate box on the invoice. Concrete mixed with extra water will not be warranted or replaced at any time.

Remember: If you ask the driver to add 10 more litres of water to a cubic metre of properly designed concrete:

The slump increases by approximately 20mm.

The compressive strength decreases by up to 3 N/mm².

15 kg of cement per cubic metre becomes ineffective.

Shrinkage potential increases by about 10%.

Seepage potential increases by up to 50%.

Freeze-thaw resistance decreases by up to 20%.

Resistance to de-icing salts is significantly reduced.

This is why we ask you to sign for additional water. If you require concrete at a higher slump, please contact the sales team, who will be happy to arrange a more suitable mix.

11 – DELIVERY OFF PUBLIC HIGHWAY

If the driver is required to leave the public highway and drive onto private property to deliver on behalf of Direct Mini Mix Limited, this is at the sole risk of the customer.
Any resulting damage to property, including vehicles becoming stuck or bogged down, is the customer’s responsibility.The customer will also be liable for vehicle recovery costs, repair costs, and any lost earnings while the vehicle is out of use.

It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure adequate room for delivery. If access cannot be safely gained, a cancellation fee will apply.
Failure to sign the delivery invoice does not exempt you from paying the fee, as access issues are communicated during booking.

Water quantity is subject to disclaimer conditions if the customer uses more than the design mix.

12 – COMPLAINTS

Shortages and complaints must be immediately reported to the driver on site and by phone to the office within 30 minutes of delivery.
A complaint reference number will be provided.
Failure to follow this procedure will result in the company not accepting responsibility for shortages.

13 – TESTING

Testing of concrete should be conducted in accordance with BS 8500. Advance notice is required prior to pouring if cube testing is needed.
Direct Mini Mix will provide a qualified technician for this service. However, if testing is completed by a third party, Direct Mini Mix cannot accept liability for the results.

14 – HEALTH & SAFETY WARNING – CONCRETE BURNS

The customer is responsible for compliance with the Building (Safety Health and Welfare) Regulations and all applicable governmental or local authority regulations.
The company complies with the Advisory Code for Safety in Concrete Pumping issued by the British Concreting Pumping Association.
Where skin contact with wet concrete occurs, whether directly or through saturated clothing, remove the clothing immediately and wash thoroughly with clean water. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
Direct Mini Mix Ltd does not accept liability for injuries sustained due to concrete burns.

15 – CONDITIONS AND WARRANTIES

All implied conditions, warranties, and guarantees implied by statute, common law, or otherwise are hereby excluded. Except as expressly stated herein or on the face of the Company’s offer, the Company gives no warranty or guarantee and does not promise or undertake any obligation as a condition, warranty, or other term of the contract, including but not limited to the fitness for purpose, suitability, performance, quality, or merchantability of the goods or any part thereof.

Except where expressly stated herein or on the face of the Company’s offer, the Company shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, or delay whatsoever, regardless of whether such arises or is caused by the negligence of the Company, its servants, or agents, or otherwise, and whether in the performance of the contract or otherwise.

Under no circumstances shall the Buyer be entitled to recover damages, whether direct, indirect, consequential, or otherwise, from the Company.

Direct Mini Mix is not registered with BSR and, therefore, cannot guarantee the quality of its concrete.

16 – SITE PREPARATION PRIOR TO DELIVERY/COMPLETION OF PUMPING

It is the sole responsibility of the customer and/or their builders or staff to ensure the site is suitably prepared prior to our arrival for delivery. Should the customer require any protective materials, e.g., tarpaulin, DPM (damp-proof membrane), or boarding, to prevent mess from spillage or splashing, Direct Mini Mix Ltd does not provide these materials and cannot be held accountable for excess mess or damage resulting from inadequate preparation.

Any provided materials are the sole responsibility of the customer and must be disposed of by the customer, not by Direct Mini Mix Ltd. A suitable washout area must also be provided by the customer for any vehicles attending the site.

Site preparation also includes arranging any necessary parking permits, road closures, or additional parking requirements prior to our arrival. Should any fines or tickets be incurred due to improper arrangements, these costs will be passed on to the customer/hirer in full.

10.1. The hirer shall allow the pump to arrive on site up to sixty minutes before it is ready to commence pumping and shall allow up to sixty minutes after pumping has ceased for the pump to de-rig, wash out, and prepare for travel. These periods of time will be charged at the agreed working rate.

10.2. Concrete shall not be delivered to the site until the pump operator deems they are ready to commence pumping operations.

10.3. If the pump is delayed in leaving the site due to reasons beyond the owner’s control, this period will be charged at the normal working rate to the hirer.

CONCRETE PUMPING

1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1. These Supplementary Conditions apply solely to the hire of concrete pumps and associated plant (referred to as the “Pump”) and shall be known as the “Supplementary Conditions.”

1.2. Unless otherwise stated, terms in the Supplementary Conditions shall carry the same meaning as those in the CPA Model Conditions.

1.3. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Supplementary Conditions and the CPA Model Conditions, the Supplementary Conditions shall take precedence.

2. CONCRETE SUPPLY

The hirer is solely responsible for the concrete specification and ensuring a suitable and sufficient supply of concrete with a consistency that is readily pumpable at an appropriate rate. The hirer must inform the owner of any additives in the concrete.

The owner accepts no responsibility for delays in output caused by the hirer’s failure to meet these requirements. The hirer is also solely responsible for ensuring the concrete supplied is of a quality and strength suitable for their intended use.

3. MANAGEMENT OF THE CONCRETE PUMPING OPERATION

The hirer is fully responsible for managing the entire pumping operation in compliance with the terms of the contract. The hirer must provide and ensure a competent supervisor is present at the beginning, throughout, and at the end of the pumping operation to assist the operator.

4. SAFETY

The hirer must establish and follow a safe system of work for each pumping operation in accordance with:

The Construction Plant-hire Association’s Best Practice Guide for the Safe Use of Concrete Pumps

British Standard 8476:2007.

This applies to individual pours and multiple pours.

5. FACILITIES

The hirer must provide the following facilities, free of charge to the owner, for the duration of the hire period:

5.1. Cement for grouting pipelines at the rate of 50 kg per 20 metres between the pump and the discharge point.
5.2. An adequate piped water supply at the pump’s location.
5.3. Temporary lighting at the pump’s location and along the pipeline, if required.
5.4. Facilities for washing out the pump and adequate assistance in cleaning any spillage.
5.5. Sufficient competent labour to assist the operator before, during, and after pumping.
5.6. Additional labour for pipeline erection or dismantling, if required.
5.7. Suitable supports and anchorage points for vertical pipelines.
5.8. Necessary scaffolding and ladders for safe and proper execution of the work. The owner does not include the cost of providing, erecting, or moving scaffolding.
5.9. A banksman to assist the driver when the mixer lorry is entering, traversing, or leaving the site.

6. GROUND AND SITE CONDITIONS

The hirer must provide and clearly indicate suitable points for setting up the pump.

Without prejudice to Clause 7 of the CPA Model Conditions:

The hirer is fully responsible for the ground where the pump is to traverse and operate.

The hirer is liable for any damage to the pump caused by unsuitable ground conditions and must indemnify the owner against resulting liabilities, expenses, or losses.

6.1. Aggregates may include materials dredged from the harbour or a percentage of recycled goods.
6.2. The hirer must disclose at the time of booking that the company’s vehicles will not traverse soft ground.
6.3. Direct Mini Mix Limited will deliver concrete, screed, or aggregates regardless of weather conditions. This is entirely at the hirer’s risk. The company provides no guarantees for deliveries made in freezing conditions, and aftercare of the product is the hirer’s responsibility. Weather conditions may cause delivery delays, but the company will strive to meet estimated times.

7. CONDITIONS AND WARRANTIES

All implied conditions, warranties, and guarantees under statute, common law, or otherwise are excluded unless expressly stated herein or on the face of the company’s offer.

Direct Mini Mix gives no warranty or guarantee and undertakes no obligation regarding the fitness for purpose, suitability, performance, quality, or merchantability of the goods.

Except as expressly stated:

The company shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, or delay, regardless of cause, including negligence.

The buyer is not entitled to recover damages (direct, indirect, or consequential).

Direct Mini Mix is not registered with BSR and cannot guarantee the concrete.

8. PUMP CAPACITY

If the contract specifies a particular pump, the owner reserves the right to supply a suitable alternative pump. Acceptance of the pump on site constitutes acceptance of this variation, and the owner will not be liable for any resulting issues.

9. BLOCKAGES

Any concrete blockage or choke within the pump or pipeline does not qualify as a breakdown under Clause 9 of the CPA Model Conditions or the contract.

9.1. If the hirer sends the pump away to resolve a blockage while the concrete vehicle remains, all accrued waiting time will be chargeable. This will be discussed over the phone.

17 – DAMAGE

The customer shall compensate the company for any loss of or damage to the pump, regardless of the cause, except for fair wear and tear. The customer shall fully and completely indemnify the company against all claims by any person whatsoever for injury to persons or property caused by, connected with, or arising out of the use of the pump. This includes all associated costs and charges, whether arising under statute or common law.

However, in accordance with the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, the company remains liable for claims related to death or personal injury resulting from its negligence.

Disclaimers signed on site cover all damage and injury to persons or property caused by, connected with, or arising out of the use of any Direct Mini Mix Limited vehicles. The disclaimer also covers mechanical or operational failures.

Once a disclaimer has been signed, Direct Mini Mix Limited cannot be held liable for any costs related to damage or injury resulting from mechanical or operational failures.

The company accepts no liability or responsibility for any consequential loss or damage arising from causes beyond its control.

18 – BREAKDOWN

Any concrete blockage or choke within the pump machine or pipeline shall not be considered a breakdown under the hire agreement. Full allowance will be made to the customer for any stoppage caused by a breakdown of the pump due to defects in the pump, fair wear and tear, or normal running repairs, in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Subject to the clause above, the company shall be responsible for the cost of repairs to the pump in the event of breakdowns and will bear the cost of providing spare parts.

Each pump specified in the contract is hired as a separate unit. The breakdown or stoppage of one or more pumps—whether owned by the company or otherwise—shall not entitle the customer to compensation or an allowance for the loss of working time of any other pump(s) operating in conjunction with it.

19 – INSURANCE

The hirer must take out and maintain insurance covering all liabilities under the contract. The owner reserves the right to request confirmation that the hirer has complied with their insurance obligations.

20 – CAUTIONARY NOTICE

We would like to draw your attention to the potential dangers of pumping concrete. The following safety precautions must be adhered to:

a) Concrete is pumped under pressure; assume all parts of the pump and pipeline are under pressure unless confirmed otherwise by the operator.
b) Ensure the pump is sited on firm, level ground.
c) Only Direct Mini Mix employees are permitted to operate the pump or access the cab.
d) Do not allow the pump to operate in public areas without first excluding members of the public from the vicinity of the pump, its pipeline, and its boom.
e) Wear a safety helmet when working under the boom or pipeline.
f) Prevent kinks in the flexible discharge hose.
g) Do not couple or uncouple pipeline sections without the operator’s approval.
h) Exercise caution near the charging hopper as concrete may blow back under certain conditions.
i) Drivers of vehicles near the pump must manoeuvre with caution, as the pump operator works in the area.
j) Minimise contact with wet cement and concrete; wear protective clothing and wash thoroughly if contact occurs.
k) The customer’s site representative must liaise with the pump operator and remain on site throughout the operation, including clean-up.

21 – DELIVERY AUTHORISATION

The hirer must provide a competent person to sign the delivery docket for all materials related to the pumping operation.

22 – CONTINUING HIRE

The hirer’s order is accepted on the understanding that bookings will be made daily.
A minimum of one clear working day’s notice is required for cancellation. Insufficient notice will result in charges for losses incurred by the owner.

23 – ASSESSMENT

Unless otherwise agreed, the quantities of concrete pumped by the pump shall be assessed (unless the owner demonstrates that such an assessment is unreasonable or inaccurate) by reference to:

Supplier delivery dockets (for ready-mixed concrete).

The quantity of concreting materials used by the hirer and the mix proportions on which the hirer has based their production (for site-mixed concrete).

When assessment is based on mix proportions, the hirer must provide the owner with all facilities reasonably required to verify the quantities of materials used and the accuracy of the mix-proportion figures.

24 – WORKING DAY

The hirer will be charged for the full working day, including breaks taken by the driver, operator, or other personnel.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNER

25 – SAFETY

The owner shall ensure compliance with the Construction Plant-hire Association’s Best Practice Guide for the Safe Use of Concrete Pumps and, where applicable, British Standard 8476:2007.

26 – COMPETENCE

If the owner provides an operator with the concrete pump, Clause 8 of the CPA Model Conditions will apply. The operator is deemed to have appropriate qualifications, training, and experience to operate the equipment.

27 – DELIVERY

Delivery of the concrete shall be made by the company to the specified delivery location or, if none is provided, to the address given during booking.

The customer must provide safe and adequate access to the discharge point, ensuring the safety of the company’s employees and agents. Failure to do so may result in refusal to deliver, with any incurred costs or losses charged to the customer.

The delivery date provided by the company is approximate, and time for delivery shall not be of the essence.
An authorised person must be present to sign the delivery ticket, confirming:

Any agreed additions to the concrete, such as water or other materials.

The vehicle’s arrival time, discharge start time, completion time, and departure time.

If the customer is unable to take delivery, they will be liable for costs arising from the aborted delivery.

28 – SET-OFF

The owner reserves the right to set off any sums owed by the customer against amounts due to the customer.

29 – INTEREST ON OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS

The owner reserves the right to charge interest on overdue payments at the Bank of England base rate plus 4%. No claims will be admitted for delays caused by circumstances beyond the company’s control, such as weather or ground conditions.

30 – CONCRETE PUMP CHARGES

Once a concrete pump has been ordered, it will be charged at the full rate, even if the job cannot be completed.

31 – MINIMUM CHARGES

Minimum charges apply to all bookings. These will be discussed during booking and constitute a verbal agreement. Direct Mini Mix reserves the right to take payment 24-48 hours before delivery.

32 – DIRECT MINI MIX SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The customer will bear the cost of tyre damage or punctures that occur on the site of operations.

The customer must provide sufficient competent labour to assist the operator in preparing the pump for departure after pumping.

The customer is responsible for the cost of recovering and repairing the pump if it becomes stuck due to unsuitable ground conditions or other factors outside the company’s control.

The customer is responsible for the replacement cost of any damaged or lost ancillary equipment, such as pipes or clips, during the hire period.

The company reserves the right to supply any suitable pump it deems appropriate for the job.

All quoted arrival times for the pump are approximate, and time shall not be of the essence.

33 – PRICE

The price of the concrete is the company’s quoted price, exclusive of VAT. Unless stated otherwise, it includes carriage and delivery.

The price is based on the customer’s estimated concrete requirements. If additional concrete is needed, extra charges will apply.
Additional waiting time on site can only be provided if it is pre-booked. If not pre-booked, availability cannot be guaranteed.

The company reserves the right to adjust the price if costs increase due to factors beyond its control or if the customer requests changes to delivery dates, quantities, or specifications.