What Is the Best Way to Get Concrete from the Street to the Backyard?
By PumpX Team ·
Your slab, pool surround or shed base is out the back, the concrete truck is out the front, and there is a house in between. This is one of the most common homeowner problems, and fortunately there are a few well-proven ways to solve it.
First: measure the distance and the obstacles
Before you pick a method, work out:
- The distance from where the truck can park to the furthest point of the pour.
- Whether you have a side passage, and how wide it is (you need room for hoses or barrows).
- Any steps, gates, fences or garden beds that block a straight run.
- The volume of concrete in cubic metres.
These four things largely decide the answer.
Option 1: Line pump (usually the answer)
A line pump is a trailer or small truck with a hopper. The ready-mix truck discharges into the hopper, and a steel and rubber hose carries the concrete to the backyard. Hoses can run down a side passage, along a fence or even over the roof of a single-storey house, with the operator choosing the route.
It is flexible, relatively quick and works for most volumes. Because the hose is on the ground, it needs to be laid carefully and cleaned afterwards, so set-up and clean-up time is part of the cost. Line pumps are often cheaper than boom pumps, though price varies by region. In Australia, you might see line pump hire quoted in the low thousands of Australian dollars for a typical residential job, with longer hose runs costing more. Get quotes.
Option 2: Boom pump over the house
If the house is low and the boom is long enough, a boom pump can reach over the roof. This is quick and avoids hoses in the passage, but needs a big truck to park on the street with room for its outriggers. Many suburban streets and tight driveways do not suit it, and overhead power lines can rule it out.
Option 3: Wheelbarrows or power barrows
For a small volume, concrete can be dropped near the street and barrowed through. A power barrow (a motorised cart) makes it far easier than a manual wheelbarrow. This only works for small pours, short distances and a crew that is quick, because concrete sets. It is also harder on lawns and paths.
Option 4: Conveyor
A conveyor belt carries concrete over a distance, often used on sites with long, narrow access. Availability varies by area and it suits some jobs better than others. Ask local pumping companies whether they offer it.
Option 5: Hire a smaller truck or split the pour
Sometimes a small agitator truck or a mini mixer can get into places that large trucks can not. Splitting the pour into multiple deliveries can also help, but control joints and curing become important if you do. Talk to your builder or concrete supplier first.
Comparing the options
| Method | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Line pump | Most backyards, side passage access | Hose length, set-up time, hose clean-up |
| Boom pump | Low house, wide street, large pour | Street space, overhead lines |
| Power barrow | Small pours, short runs | Labour, concrete setting, lawn damage |
| Conveyor | Narrow, long access | Availability, cost |
Protect your property
Whichever option you choose, lay boards or plywood on lawns and paths, cover garden beds and tell the neighbours the day before. Concrete trucks and pumps are noisy and early.
A word on timing and cost
Backyard pours rarely go quickly, because every step happens through a hose or past a bottleneck. Allow extra time and tell your pumper roughly how long you think the pour will take, so the minimum hire and quote reflect reality. If you can set things up so the hose route is laid and tested before the first truck arrives, you will save time on the day. Ask about the cost of extra hose, because a longer run can add to the total. Comparing two or three quotes, with the same assumptions about hose length, is the easiest way to find a fair price.
Key takeaways
- Measure the distance and obstacles before choosing a method.
- A line pump is the most common answer for backyards.
- A boom pump can work if the house is low and the street is wide enough.
- Wheelbarrows only suit small pours and a strong crew.
- Get two or three quotes. You can search the concrete pumping directory to find local pumpers who handle backyard jobs.
Need a pump for tricky access? Post your pour on the PumpX jobs board and let local operators quote.
Original question on Reddit: r/Concrete: Best way to get concrete from street to backyard