Hiring a pump
How to choose a concrete pumping company
Pick on reliability, not the cheapest hourly rate: a pump that's 45 minutes late costs more than any rate difference when concrete's on the road. Check they carry the right machine for your access, real insurance, and a track record — then lock in the details in writing.
The five questions that sort them
1) Do you have the right machine for my access — and what happens if it breaks down on the morning? (Good companies have a backup plan; cowboys have apologies.) 2) What's included in the rate — travel, setup, line length, washout? 3) Are you insured — public liability, and to what value? 4) Who's the operator — how long on the gear? 5) How do you handle dockets and invoicing? A company that signs a docket with you on site will never surprise you on the invoice.
Red flags worth walking from
Quotes wildly under everyone else (something's missing — usually insurance, servicing, or the call-out truth). No questions about your access — a pro asks about distance, powerlines and parking before quoting; a chancer just says yes. Cash-only, no paperwork, no docket. And vagueness on cancellation and wet-weather terms, which is exactly where dodgy operators claw margin back.
Comparing quotes properly
Get the same scope priced: hours expected, call-out minimum, travel, per-metre line charges, cubes rate, and washout. Then weigh reputation — a company with signed dockets, real ratings from actual jobs and repeat clients is de-risking your pour. On PumpX, company ratings come only from signed dockets on real jobs, so a 4.8 means builders it actually pumped for — not their cousins.
Compare pumping companies near you — PumpX's directory shows companies by area — with ratings earned from real signed dockets.
Quick answers
Should I book the pump or let my concreter?
Either works — concreters often have preferred pumps and that relationship has value on pour day. If you book direct, connect the pump company and concreter beforehand so timing and mix are agreed.
How far ahead should I book?
A week is comfortable for residential; 2–3 days is often fine outside peak. Big pours, tight access or Saturday mornings: book as early as you can — good machines fill first.
What insurance should they carry?
Public liability (commonly $20M in Australia) as the baseline, plus insured machinery. Ask for the certificate — professionals send it without flinching.
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Updated 2026-07-18 · PumpX Guides — written by the industry, for the industry.