Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Some people manage on their own, but we strongly recommend having at least one or two helpers. The faster you unload and clean the cart, the better.
Here’s what we suggest:
- One person to pick up and return the cart
- Two people to help with wheel barrowing, placing and finishing
This makes the process smoother and helps you stay within the time limit.
Yes — this is one of the most important parts of the rental. You can clean it yourself, or we can do it for a $30 fee.
After the concrete is emptied, you must:
- Rinse the cart with a pressure washer or garden hose nozzle and the brush provided.
- Rinse between multiple loads to prevent buildup.
If the concrete dries, it’s much harder to remove. Fresh concrete rinses off easily — you can test it by rubbing it with your fingers. If you would like us to clean it instead, let us know ahead of time or as soon as possible.
It’s always better to have a little extra than to run short — and we recommend ordering 5–10% extra just to be safe. Our mixing system is very accurate, but it’s better to have a buffer for error.
If you end up with leftover concrete, here are your options:
Option 1: Dispose of it at your site
You can unload the extra concrete at your job site and wash the cart yourself before returning it.
Option 2: Bring it back to our yard for disposal
- You must unload the concrete yourself at our yard.
- The $30 cleaning fee will apply for us to wash it.
- This applies to any cart returned with leftover concrete.
You can use the cart for up to 3 hours. It must be emptied, washed out, and returned to our yard within that time.
If you’re late, there is a $45 fee for every 30 minutes (or portion thereof) past the 3-hour limit. Late returns can delay other customers, so please plan ahead. We take this rule seriously — late fees will double if the cart is returned after regular business hours.
Important Tips:
- Consider traffic and road construction when planning.
- If your site is ready, 3 hours is plenty of time – our customers do it all the time, even for longer trips.
Most of our carts hold up to 1-¼ yards (about 1 metre) of concrete. We also have two larger carts that can hold up to 2 yards (about 1-½ metres).
You can order in ¼ yard increments, down to as little as ¼ yard.
- A 1-¼ yard cart weighs about 1,300 lbs.
- A 2 yard cart (for quantities over 1¼ yards) weighs about 1,700 lbs.
- Each ¼ yard of concrete weighs about 1,000 lbs.
Therefore, a full 1-¼ yard load weighs around 6,300 lbs in the cart, and a 2 yard load weighs about 9,700 lbs.
It depends on how much concrete you’re hauling.
- For ¼ to ¾ yards, most SUVs or similar vehicles with a hitch will work.
- For ¾ to 1-¼ yards, you’ll need at least a ½-ton pickup truck.
- For larger carts (with 1-¾ or 2 yards), you’ll need a three-quarter ton or one ton heavy-duty truck.
You’ll also need the right hitch setup:
- For 1-¼ yards or less: a 2” ball and ball mount (must be rated up to 6,000 lbs or more).
- For up to 2 yards: a 2-5/16” ball and ball mount (must be rated to 10,000 lbs or more).
We rent both types of mounts at our yard if needed.
Yes, and we highly recommend booking ahead! You can place an order online or call us.
- Booking 1–2 days ahead is usually enough.
- You can also book a week or more in advance.
You’re welcome to try walking in, but earlier in the day is better — without a booking, we can’t guarantee availability. Last-minute or late-in-the-day bookings almost never work.
Generally, no. Feel free to contact us for more information on this policy.
We use a chemical retardant in the concrete, which delays setting for about 3 hours.
This gives you time to:
- Get to your site.
- Unload the concrete.
- Wash and return the cart or return the empty cart for us to wash.
You must return the cart within 3 hours of leaving our yard. The sooner you place the concrete, the better — especially in hot weather.
Curing Timeline:
- Set time: ~24 hours
- 70% cured: ~7 days
Fully cured: ~28 days
You’ll need to:
- Read and sign our Rental Agreement Form
- Have valid vehicle insurance and an Alberta driver’s license
- Pay by Cash, Debit, Visa, or MasterCard
Please ask if you have any questions, we want to make sure everything is explained clearly.
Yes (subject to availability).
This mix uses more expensive stone and needs extra handling, so it costs more per yard than regular concrete. We recommend giving us at least 3 days’ notice. See our price list for exposed aggregate rates.
Yes — we rent a variety of tools and accessories, including:
- Steel trowels, hand floats, edgers, seamers, brooms
- Manual tampers, post hole diggers, pole extensions
- Shovels, wheelbarrows, bull floats, fresnos, hoes
- Pencil vibrators
- 2” and 2-5/16” balls and hitches
- Electrical adapters, ball mounts, hitch pins
We also sell washed rock, sand, gravel, fibreglass and metal rebar. See our price list for rental rates.
Yes — while delivery isn’t our main service, we can arrange it if booked in advance.
- Prices start at $150, depending on quantity, distance and amount of work involved.
- The delivery fee includes help unloading from the cart, disposal of leftover concrete, and cart cleaning.
- It’s a good idea to order 5–10% extra, as additional loads will require a second full delivery fee.
- We can sometimes do last-minute deliveries, so it’s always worth asking!
Note: Even with the delivery fee, we’re more affordable than other options in Calgary.
It can happen, especially with long or bumpy drives. But don’t worry — if the concrete is mixed properly and you’re not going too far, it will still pour just fine. Even if a bit settles, our unloading steps (question 16) will help bring it back to life.
The cart has a hydraulic system underneath and a hand pump on top.
Here’s how to unload:
- Close the valve and pump the handle to raise the cart about halfway.
- Use a shovel or hoe to pull the concrete out in sections.
- Work from the back to the front, raising the cart a bit more as you go.
- Dump the concrete into a wheelbarrow or directly into your forms.
If the concrete starts to feel dry but you’re still within the 3-hour window, you can lightly spray water as you’re removing it from the cart to freshen it up.
- Avoid adding water to the surface of your finished concrete as it can weaken the final product.
Most people can use U-Cart Concrete — but here are two possible reasons it might not be a fit:
- You live far outside Calgary — the further you travel, the more likely issues could come up (e.g. timing, road delays).
- You don’t have a suitable vehicle to tow the cart, and you would rather not pay delivery fees.
- You don’t have enough help – pouring and finishing concrete typically requires two or three people.
If any of these apply to you, give us a call and we’ll help figure out your best option.
We accept:
- Cash
- Debit (2% discount)
- Visa
- MasterCard
(No e-transfers or cheques.)
We use Type HSL (High Sulphate – Limestone) concrete. It’s not required for most jobs, but it’s strong and can be used for any application.
We offer the following strength options:
- 20 MPa (2900 psi) – Ideal for post holes, deck pilings, and footings.
- 25 MPa (3600 psi) – Regular strength
- 30 MPa (4350 psi) – Duramix
- 32 MPa (4640 psi) – Alberta Building Code
- 35 MPa (5075 psi) – Extra strength
Let us know what you’re working on, and we’ll help make sure the mix suits your project.
Refer to Google Maps or our Contact page for address information.
Visit our Compare Pricing page to view a comparison between Steve’s U-Cart Concrete, ready-mix bags and a commercial concrete truck.
We are open all year long — even when it’s cold out! But there are a few important things to keep in mind if you’re pouring concrete in cold weather.
According to the Alberta Building Code, Part 9.3.1.9, Cold Weather Requirements state that when the air temperature is below 5°C, concrete must be:
- A) Kept at a temperature of no less than 10°C (and no more than 25°C) while being mixed and placed.
B) Maintained at a temperature of no less than 10°C for 72 hours after placing.
As the weather cools, Steve’s U-Cart Concrete (as we do every year) will start using:
- Heated aggregates
- Hot water
- An accelerator (instead of a retarder)
This ensures that our concrete complies with code and performs well in cold conditions.
Note: The industry standard for using accelerator in concrete is October 15 to April 30. If you’re pouring inside a heated area, we can still accommodate you with a regular mix.
