Concrete Cost per m³ 2026 | UK Ready-Mix Concrete Prices
Concrete Cost per m³ 2026
Current UK Ready-Mix Concrete Prices
Compare Concrete Grades and Regional Pricing
Understanding concrete cost per m³ is essential for accurate construction budgeting in 2026. Ready-mix concrete prices in the UK range from £95 to £165 per cubic metre depending on grade, strength, location, and delivery factors. Our comprehensive pricing guide helps builders, contractors, and homeowners calculate accurate concrete costs for any project.
Concrete prices vary significantly by grade (C20 to C40), geographical region, delivery distance, and order volume. Additional charges include delivery fees (£50-£100), small load premiums for orders under 4m³, and environmental levies. Stay updated with current QPA concrete industry pricing and regional variations across the UK.
💷 Concrete Cost Calculator
Calculate total concrete costs including delivery and surcharges
Concrete Specifications
Additional Options
Total Project Cost
£0
£0 per m³ (effective)
Cost Summary
Base Concrete Cost
£0
Delivery Fee
£0
Small Load Charge
£0
Volume Ordered
0 m³
Detailed Breakdown
Concrete Grade Price (per m³)£0
Regional Adjustment£0
Additives/Admixtures£0
Pumping/Equipment£0
Weekend/Hours Surcharge£0
VAT (20%)£0
Project Information
Approximate Load Weight0 tonnes
Number of Trucks1 truck
Estimated Pour Time0 minutes
UK Concrete Prices per m³ 2026
Ready-mix concrete prices fluctuate based on cement costs, fuel prices, and regional demand. Current UK averages reflect industry standards and market conditions as of January 2026.
Standard Concrete Grade Pricing
Concrete Grade
Price Range (per m³)
Typical Applications
Strength (N/mm²)
C20/25 (Gen 2)
£95 - £105
Kerbs, paths, domestic floors
25 MPa
C25/30 (Gen 3)
£105 - £115
Foundations, floor slabs, light duty
30 MPa
C30/37 (PAV 1)
£115 - £130
Driveways, commercial floors, columns
37 MPa
C32/40 (PAV 2)
£125 - £140
Heavy-duty driveways, car parks
40 MPa
C35/45
£130 - £145
Agricultural, structural beams
45 MPa
C40/50
£145 - £165
Commercial structures, heavy industrial
50 MPa
RC30/37 (Rapid)
£140 - £160
Fast-track projects, cold weather
37 MPa (rapid)
FND2 (Foundation)
£108 - £118
Strip footings, mass fill
25 MPa
C20/25 (Gen 2)
Price£95 - £105/m³
Strength25 MPa
UsePaths, kerbs
C25/30 (Gen 3)
Price£105 - £115/m³
Strength30 MPa
UseFoundations, floors
C30/37 (PAV 1)
Price£115 - £130/m³
Strength37 MPa
UseDriveways, columns
C40/50
Price£145 - £165/m³
Strength50 MPa
UseHeavy industrial
Regional Concrete Price Variations
Concrete costs vary significantly across UK regions due to transportation distances, local demand, quarry proximity, and labour costs. London and Southeast England consistently show the highest prices, while rural areas may face surcharges for longer delivery distances.
London & M25
C25/30: £140-£155 per m³
C30/37: £155-£175 per m³
Premium: +30-40% above baseline
Delivery: £80-£120 per load
Min Order: 5m³ typical
Saturday: +20% surcharge common
Southeast England
C25/30: £130-£145 per m³
C30/37: £145-£160 per m³
Premium: +20-30% above baseline
Delivery: £60-£90 per load
Min Order: 4m³ typical
Coverage: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire
Midlands (Baseline)
C25/30: £105-£115 per m³
C30/37: £115-£130 per m³
Premium: Baseline pricing
Delivery: £50-£70 per load
Min Order: 3-4m³ typical
Coverage: Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester area
Northwest England
C25/30: £115-£125 per m³
C30/37: £125-£140 per m³
Premium: +8-12% above baseline
Delivery: £55-£75 per load
Min Order: 3m³ typical
Coverage: Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire
Scotland
C25/30: £120-£135 per m³
C30/37: £135-£155 per m³
Premium: +15-20% above baseline
Delivery: £65-£95 per load
Min Order: 4m³ typical
Note: Highlands significantly higher (+40%)
Wales & Southwest
C25/30: £115-£130 per m³
C30/37: £130-£145 per m³
Premium: +10-18% above baseline
Delivery: £60-£85 per load
Min Order: 3-4m³ typical
Rural: Delivery charges may increase
Additional Charges and Surcharges
Beyond base concrete costs, several additional charges apply to ready-mix deliveries. Understanding these fees prevents budget surprises and ensures accurate cost estimation for construction projects.
✅ Typical Additional Charges 2026:
Delivery Fee: £50-£100 per load (included within certain radius, typically 10-15 miles)
Small Load Charge: £30-£60 for orders under 4m³ (minimum order fees)
Distance Surcharge: £5-£10 per mile beyond free delivery zone
Saturday Delivery: +15-20% surcharge on total concrete cost
Waiting Time: Free for 20-30 mins, then £50-£80 per hour
Concrete Pump Hire Costs
Pump Type
Cost Range
Reach/Capacity
Best For
Line Pump (Trailer)
£200 - £300
Up to 100m horizontal
Ground floors, extensions
Boom Pump (Small)
£300 - £450
12-20m reach
Rear gardens, two-storey
Boom Pump (Medium)
£450 - £650
24-32m reach
Three-storey, commercial
Boom Pump (Large)
£650 - £900
36-42m reach
High-rise, large commercial
Mega Pump
£900 - £1,500
50m+ reach
Major construction, tower blocks
Additional Hours
£80 - £120/hour
Beyond initial 4 hours
Large volume pours
Line Pump
Cost£200 - £300
ReachUp to 100m
Best ForGround floors
Boom Pump (Small)
Cost£300 - £450
Reach12-20m
Best ForRear gardens
Boom Pump (Medium)
Cost£450 - £650
Reach24-32m
Best ForThree-storey
Boom Pump (Large)
Cost£650 - £900
Reach36-42m
Best ForHigh-rise
Concrete Additives and Specialist Mixes
Concrete additives modify properties like workability, setting time, and durability. Specialist mixes address specific project requirements and environmental conditions, typically adding £5-£25 per m³ to base concrete costs.
Larger concrete orders typically qualify for volume discounts, reducing the effective cost per cubic metre. Understanding ordering thresholds helps optimize project budgets for larger construction projects.
📊 Typical Volume Pricing Structure:
Under 3m³: Small load surcharge £30-£60 applies, consider mixers for very small jobs
3-6m³: Standard pricing, single truck delivery (standard 6m³ mixer capacity)
7-12m³: 3-5% discount possible, requires two trucks or larger capacity
Contract Orders: Long-term projects may secure 15-20% discounts for guaranteed volume
Minimum Order Requirements
Standard Minimum: Most suppliers require 3-4m³ minimum for delivery. Orders below this incur small load charges of £30-£60.
Building Mixers Alternative: For very small volumes (under 1m³), bagged cement mixed on-site or building mixers (£10-£15 per 25kg bag) may be more economical.
Truck Capacity: Standard ready-mix trucks carry 6-8m³. Larger trucks (8-10m³) available but require adequate site access.
Multiple Pours: Some suppliers allow split loads where one delivery serves adjacent properties, sharing delivery costs.
Cost Saving Strategies
Strategic planning and informed purchasing decisions can significantly reduce concrete costs without compromising quality or structural integrity.
💡 Money-Saving Tips:
Accurate Volume Calculation: Order precisely to avoid wastage; use our concrete calculator for exact quantities
Weekday Delivery: Avoid Saturday surcharges (+15-20%) by scheduling weekday pours
Coordinate Neighbours: Share delivery costs and volumes for adjacent projects
Flexible Timing: Allow supplier to schedule at convenient times for 5-10% discount
Direct Chute Delivery: Avoid pumping charges (£200-£650) where site access permits direct pour
Grade Selection: Don't over-specify; C25/30 sufficient for most residential foundations (saves £10-£15/m³ vs C30)
Concrete Weight and Transportation
Understanding concrete weight helps with site access planning and vehicle requirements. Standard ready-mix concrete weighs approximately 2,400 kg per cubic metre, affecting truck capacity and road restrictions.
Standard Mixer Truck
Capacity: 6m³ typical (can carry up to 8m³)
Loaded Weight: 25-30 tonnes total
Access Width: 2.5m minimum clearance needed
Height: 3.8-4.2m total height
Road Type: Suitable for most roads and estates
Mini-Mix Truck
Capacity: 1-4m³ typical
Loaded Weight: 12-18 tonnes
Access Width: 2.0m minimum clearance
Height: 3.2-3.5m total height
Benefits: Better for restricted access sites
Volumetric Mixer
Capacity: 6m³ materials, mix on demand
Loaded Weight: 24-28 tonnes
Benefits: Fresh mix, adjustable volumes
Cost: +10-15% premium vs ready-mix
Advantage: No wastage, exact quantities
Site Access Requirements
Width: Minimum 2.5m clear width for standard trucks
Height: 4.5m clearance for overhead obstacles
Ground: Firm standing for 25-30 tonne vehicles
Turning: 15m minimum turning circle
Alternative: Pump if access restricted
Payment Terms and Ordering
Most concrete suppliers operate on trade account or cash payment terms. Understanding payment options and ordering procedures ensures smooth project delivery.
✅ Ordering Process:
Quote Request: Contact suppliers 7-14 days before pour date for pricing and availability
Account Setup: Trade accounts require credit checks, personal projects typically cash on delivery
Booking Confirmation: Final confirmation 2-3 days before delivery with exact volumes
Morning of Delivery: Supplier confirms delivery window (typically 2-hour slot)
Payment: Trade accounts 30-day terms; cash customers pay on delivery (card or bank transfer)
Delivery Ticket: Check grade, volume, and time on delivery ticket; sign to confirm receipt
Concrete Pricing FAQs
How much does concrete cost per cubic metre in the UK?
Ready-mix concrete in the UK costs £95-£165 per m³ depending on grade and location. C25/30 (most common for foundations) averages £105-£115 per m³ in Midlands, £130-£145 in Southeast, and £140-£155 in London. Delivery fees add £50-£100, and small loads under 4m³ incur surcharges of £30-£60.
What's the minimum amount of concrete I can order?
Most suppliers require 3-4m³ minimum for ready-mix delivery. Smaller quantities incur small load charges (£30-£60 extra). For volumes under 1m³, consider bagged cement mixed on-site (approximately £10-£15 per 25kg bag) or volumetric mixers that charge for exact quantities used.
Is Saturday concrete delivery more expensive?
Yes, Saturday deliveries typically cost 15-20% more than weekday deliveries. Sunday and bank holiday deliveries (where available) cost 25-35% extra. Some suppliers don't offer weekend service. For a 6m³ C30 order costing £720 weekday, expect £830-£865 on Saturday. Always book weekend slots well in advance.
What concrete grade do I need for a driveway?
C30/37 (PAV1) is recommended for domestic driveways, costing £115-£130 per m³. For heavy vehicles or commercial use, specify C32/40 (PAV2) at £125-£140 per m³. C25/30 is inadequate for driveways and will crack under vehicle loads. Always include 150mm sub-base and reinforcement mesh for durability.
How do I calculate concrete volume needed?
For slabs: Length (m) × Width (m) × Depth (m) = Volume (m³). Example: 5m × 4m × 0.15m = 3m³. Always add 5-10% wastage. For complex shapes, break into sections and sum volumes. Use our concrete calculator for accurate calculations including wastage.
Do concrete prices include VAT?
Quoted prices are usually exclusive of VAT. Add 20% VAT for final cost. However, VAT is 0% (zero-rated) for new build residential properties and certain conversions (but not extensions). Commercial projects always pay 20% VAT. Confirm VAT treatment with supplier when ordering.
What's the difference between Gen3 and C25/30 concrete?
Gen3 and C25/30 are essentially the same—both refer to 25 Newton per mm² characteristic strength concrete. "Gen" is older British terminology (General Purpose grade 3), while "C25/30" is Eurocode designation (25 MPa cylinder strength, 30 MPa cube strength). Suppliers understand both terms; pricing is identical.
Can I get concrete delivered anywhere in the UK?
Ready-mix concrete plants serve radius of approximately 20-30 miles economically. Beyond this, delivery surcharges apply (£5-£10 per additional mile). Remote areas may have limited suppliers and higher base prices. Very remote locations (Scottish Highlands, rural Wales) may require mini-batching plants or on-site mixing for economic viability.
How long do I have to pour concrete after delivery?
Ready-mix concrete remains workable for 1.5-2 hours from batching in normal conditions. Hot weather reduces this to 60-90 minutes; cold weather extends to 2-3 hours. Retarding admixtures can extend workability to 4-6 hours. Most suppliers allow 20-30 minutes free waiting time on-site, then charge £50-£80 per hour. Have site fully prepared before arrival.
Are there discounts for large concrete orders?
Yes, volume discounts apply: 3-5% for 7-12m³, 5-8% for 13-20m³, 8-12% for 20m³+. Contract projects with guaranteed ongoing volume may secure 15-20% discounts. Single large pours (30m³+) qualify for project pricing. Always negotiate with multiple suppliers for large orders; competition drives better rates.
