Concrete Cost per M³

How Much Does Concrete Pouring Cost in 2024?

Whether you're looking for concrete for foundations or other construction needs, we've got all the information you need right here.

Although concrete pouring isn't the most attractive topic, it is an important aspect of many homes repair projects.

Whether you're laying new flooring, planning a new driveway, or need foundations for a new home, we can help. Pouring concrete is the most effective method for achieving the greatest results.

Here are some things for you to consider...

It's difficult to estimate the cost of concrete delivery because there are so many variables to consider. The quality, additives, and reinforcement, as well as the preparation and finishing, all play a role.

Other elements to consider are the distance between the site and the facility, the length of the delivery, whether a concrete pump is required, and how far concrete must be pumped.

Rather than cost per square foot, the cost of laying concrete is determined per cubic metre (m³). Because you typically need to fill a volume rather than merely an area, discussing in terms of square footage (or even weight) is difficult to communicate.

Let's get down to the costs

Concrete pouring prices are between £99-£105 per m³ for grades C8, C10, and C15. For grades C20/C25, expect to pay between £105-£110 per m³.

The typical price per m³ for grades C30/C35 is between £110 - £115. Alternatively, if you desire grades C40/C45, concrete pouring costs around £115 - £120 per m³.

Because ready-mixed concrete is sold by volume, knowing the space you're filling is critical. The cost of concrete is determined by several factors, including your location and the sort of concrete you've ordered.

However, you should expect to pay between £85 - £120 per cubic metre in general. If the cost is greater, you should question it with your provider and compare it to other pricing to ensure you're still getting a good deal.

The cost of pouring a concrete driveway varies greatly, ranging from £600 - £8,000 on average. The size of the driveway and the quality of the concrete used are two of the most critical aspects that will determine the total amount you pay.

The cost of concrete pouring rises with the size of the driveway and the quality of the concrete.

There are other factors to consider too...

Other factors that influence the cost of pouring concrete include the volume of concrete required, the task's accessibility (i.e., how difficult it is to get to the floor), and if the operation will take longer to finish.

Because tradesmen frequently charge by the hour, the complexity of the project will have an impact on the price. If any preparation work is required, you should limit the amount of time a labourer spends in your home to avoid increasing the final cost.

Where you live will also affect the overall cost because of the higher cost of living, higher population, and higher demand for services. Services in London are always costlier than in many other places of England.

Concrete Prices per m3 in 2024

The table below shows the different pouring concrete prices:

What are the Supply Costs of a Concrete Base?

If you want to save yourself some money and want to DIY a concrete base, then you will need to know everything you must have to do the job safely and properly. Due to this, here we will go through everything you will need to put a concrete base in your home.

To begin, calculate how much concrete you'll need for your concrete foundation. The standard unit of measurement for concrete in cubic metres. So, you'll need 0.10m x 3m x 2m = 0.60 cubic metres for a 100mm deep concrete base that's 3m x 2m.

Round up small decimals and add a 10% contingency (so, in this example, round up to 0.70 cubic metres). It's preferable to have too much concrete than to have too little!

First, you will need sand which on average costs £43 - £88 per bag, then you will need cement which costs £6 - £15 per bag, so it is important to know how much you will need to get the right amount of concrete.

Or you can buy ready mixed concrete, which costs £6 - £14 per bag; therefore, once again, it depends on how much you will need.

You will need a tape measure which costs £2 - £10. Pegs will cost you around £6 - £20 depending on how many you will need, and the string will cost £1 - £4.

You will need a set square to help your measurements which costs £3 - £37, as well as a spirit level which costs £3 - £40.

Then you will need to have a spade which will cost you £7 - £25 if you don't already have one, and a rake which costs £12 - £40. A finely broken hardcore hammer will cost £30 - £33 and an earth rammer which costs £20 - £40.

Timber will set you back £14 - £100 depending on how much you need; however, you should buy it around 25mm thick. You will also need a cement mixer which will set you back £400 - £600, or you could locally ask around to see if you can rent a cement mixer or a mixing board which costs £13 - £20.

A wheelbarrow will cost around £50 - £100. A tamp board will cost £150 - £300 and floor bearers on average cost £4 - £30. Once you have all the materials, you need you can begin to create your concrete base.

The table below will break down the supply costs to install a concrete base.

What are the Additional Costs of Concrete Pouring?

Concrete prices vary greatly depending on a variety of criteria, including the quality of the concrete product, the delivery site's location, the time required to finish the pour, the required concrete mix design, and the amount of concrete required.

As a result, you should budget for some additional concrete pouring charges. As a result, we've established this section to show you the extra charges that may have an impact on your budget.

Concrete Driveway

During your decision for concrete pouring, you may decide you want a concrete driveway. Concrete driveways are becoming more popular as time goes by as they are aesthetically pleasing, and a new driveway gives your home a new look. But how much does a concrete driveway cost?

A concrete driveway might cost anything from £348 - £1,968 to install. The cost of constructing a concrete driveway is determined by several criteria’s, including the driveway's size, the type of concrete used, the amount of accessibility, and whether foundation preparations are required.

The size of the driveway is also an important cost consideration since the larger the driveway, the more expensive it will be. So, if you're on a tight budget, a smaller installation might be the way to go.

Please refer to our guide on concrete driveways for further information.

Building a Garden Wall

A garden wall is a great way to give the garden that extra aesthetic it needs. Therefore you might need to know the costs of having a garden wall built in your home.

The thickness of the garden wall (single or double skin), the number of craftsmen hired, the convenience of access, and the location of your home are all pricing variables.

The number of labourers hired, ease of access, the state of the installation area, weather conditions, and the specific brick type chosen if bricks are being used are all time-consuming factors.

Please refer to our guide on the costs of garden walls for further information.

Location

Given that the labour rate for employing builders differs across the country, where you live has a significant cost impact.

For example, labour rates in the southeast, particularly in London, are greater than in the rest of the UK, while the opposite is true in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the north of England.

Duration of the Job

The longer it will take on-site means the more you will be paying due to the labour costs. If labour is taxed per day, whether the work took two days and three hours or two days and six hours, you would be charged three days of labour.

If a specific price is supplied in advance, the labour cost will not be connected to the time at all.

Amount of Concrete

As you can anticipate, the more concrete you need poured, the more you'll pay because the company or labourers will have to spend more money on materials. So if you want to save yourself some money, then try not to use a big space for your concrete pour.

Tradesmen Costs for Pouring Concrete

Pouring concrete is best to be done by a professional as it can be a hard DIY task. Therefore, you should have an average cost of the labour you should be expected to pay to hire someone.

Therefore, here we will go through the labour costs for pouring concrete.

Pouring concrete might cost anywhere between £85 - £120 per m². This could change based on the job's complexity, and the time it takes to pour the concrete. Generally, labour will cost between £220 - £450 per day.

Other jobs that need concrete pouring, such as a concrete driveway, will have a different overall cost. One of the most noticeable costs is the labour involved in installing a concrete driveway.

Tradespeople typically charge between £40 - £50 per square metre on average.

Some driveway installers, on the other hand, may charge an hourly rate, which will vary depending on where you live in the UK.

For example, a tradesperson or driveway firm in London would charge roughly £45 per hour, whereas pricing in Northern England is far lower, at just £25 per hour.

Because the task is labour intensive and, depending on the required depth of foundations, may be unsafe to complete alone, you can anticipate a team of craftsmen to be on-site to complete it.

How Long Does It Take to Pour Concrete?

Knowing how long a job will take in your home is an important factor as this is how long work will be getting done in your home.

Therefore, you should have an idea of how long the process will take and how long the concrete will take to dry. Here, we will go through the different timescales it takes to pour concrete.

The size of the driveway has a massive impact on the time taken to complete the job. Therefore, for a simple concrete pour, a 5.25 m² will take 1 – 2 days, a 12.25 m² will take 2 – 3 days, and a 25 m² will take 3 – 4 days.

However, if you want a coloured or imprinted concrete driveway will increase the duration, so a 40m² will take 4 – 5 days, a 60 m² will take 5 – 6 days, and a 100 m² coloured or imprinted driveway will take 7 – 8 days to complete.

However, concrete takes time to dry in most circumstances. Normal concrete (or full-strength concrete) takes one to two days to set, depending on the environment in which it is placed. Concrete, on the other hand, takes about 25-28 days to acquire full strength.

One week after the concrete has been applied, you should be able to walk and conduct typical duties on it. However, because the concrete will only be 70-70 per cent of its full strength at this time, heavy gear should not be used on it.

The table below will break down the different durations it takes to pour concrete.

Types of Concrete Pouring Jobs

There are different types of concrete pouring jobs when it comes to wanting work done to your home, here we will go through the different types of concrete pourings that you should have done to your home.

Concrete Driveway Cost

A concrete driveway might cost anything from £348 and £1968 to install.

The cost of constructing a concrete driveway is determined by several criteria, including the driveway's size, the type of concrete used, the amount of accessibility, and whether foundation preparations are required.

A one-car concrete driveway takes one to two days to construct, two to three days to construct a two-car concrete driveway, and up to four days to construct a three-car concrete driveway.

If foundations are required, or you like patterned or pressed concrete, the project could take anywhere from five to one week to complete.

Flat concrete driveways have a straightforward design and are usually constructed of water and a lime-based binder that holds stone aggregate together.

This driveway can range in price from £108 for a one-car driveway to £600 for a three-car driveway, not including installation.

Flat concrete is comprised of the same components as pressed and patterned concrete. It is, however, created by pressing a pattern into the wet concrete. A pressed and patterned concrete driveway might cost anything from £162 - £768 to install.

Pros

• Durable
• Adds value to a home
• Unique designs

Cons

• Expensive option
• Awkward to install

Concrete Floor Cost

Polished concrete floors are sometimes misunderstood as being cold and slick. These flooring can be polished to be non-slip and comfortable to walk on barefoot.

In the colder months, these floors can also accommodate underfloor heating to produce a lovely feeling of warmth.

For a new polished concrete floor, the typical cost per m² is roughly £120 - £150 per m². That's how long it'll take to pour, finish, and seal the concrete.

If you already have a pouring concrete floor and just want it polished, the cost is significantly lower, roughly £50 - £55 per m².

The appearance of your garage can be greatly improved by installing a new garage floor. Polished concrete is a good choice for garages since it is both durable and adaptable. The cost of a polished concrete garage floor ranges between £2,000 - £2,500.

Choosing a polished concrete floor for your bathroom is a great method to completely change the look of the space. Your finished bathroom will have a modern or industrial vibe to it, with a high-end appearance. The cost of a polished concrete bathroom floor is between £300 - £400.

Pros

• Durable
• Can work with underfloor heating
• Multiple design options

Cons

• Expensive

Pouring Concrete Slab Cost

Modern constructions use concrete slabs to give a flat, horizontal surface. Floors, ceilings, and roof decks are the most popular applications.

A concrete slab is utilised on top of the foundations in many domestic buildings to give a solid ground floor — this is known as a ground-bearing slab.

Pouring a concrete slab typically costs between £65 - £85 per m³.

The cost of concrete pouring will vary depending on the quality of the concrete used, the size and complexity of the job, and where you live in the country, just like other types of concrete pouring.

Pros

• Easy to do
• Durable

Cons

• Raises the floor level
• High maintenance

Benefits of Concrete Pouring

If you are unsure of having concrete pouring done in your home, then here we will go through the different benefits you will feel after having the job completed.

Waterproof

Poured concrete is frequently used for operations that historically required the use of blocks, such as walls, floors, and foundations.

One of the advantages of poured concrete is that it lacks joints, making it much easier to construct a waterproof construction.

It's also denser than other materials, making water penetration more difficult. As a result, when utilised in buildings, you should observe fewer issues with damp, mildew, and algae growth, particularly in basement areas where water tightness is often a concern.

Adaptability

Poured concrete is extremely flexible, allowing it to be moulded into practically any shape. This implies it's more adaptable than blocks and can be utilised for a variety of foundation designs and concrete constructions.

Because of its adaptability, it's frequently utilised in commercial construction, where plans might be more complex and change at the last minute.

Fast Application

Most concrete-related projects are constrained by time and expense. Because poured concrete is quicker and faster to lay than blocks, it can significantly reduce labour costs and time.

It's compatible with concrete pumps, which allow the mixture to be poured even faster and more efficiently, resulting in a more cost-effective operation. Pumps can also help to lessen the mess and waste that comes with poured concrete.

Strong

Concrete that has been poured is extremely strong, and the higher the concrete grade, the more stress and compression it can sustain.

This implies it's even employed for underground buildings like foundations and basements. Because of its strength, poured concrete is extremely long-lasting and requires little maintenance.

Fire Resistant

Poured concrete is extremely fire resistant, retaining structural integrity even when exposed to extreme heat. This is due in part to the solidity of poured concrete walls, which provide better protection throughout a structure.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove Concrete?

Suppose you want to give your home a new feeling it then you may decide to remove the concrete in your home. Therefore, you will want to know how much it will cost you to remove concrete which is why we have created this section to show you the costs of concrete removal.

Concrete removal costs roughly £50 per square metre with VAT on average. Concrete driveways follow the standard rule of £50 per metre square.

The average cost of removing a concrete driveway is between £1,500 - £2,500.

Patios are frequently constructed using concrete slabs that have been mortared together.

To remove a concrete patio, a tradesperson will typically charge roughly £150 per day. If you wish to remove a concrete floor, you'll almost certainly be charged a set amount for the job. The cost of removing a concrete floor is approximately £50 per m².

FAQs

Q: What happens if it rains after pouring concrete?

A: Rain pouring on freshly laid concrete can harm the surface and make a level and floating finish impossible to achieve. Worse, if too much additional water gets into the concrete mix, it might result in overall weak concrete.

Q: When should you seal the concrete after pouring?

A: Allow new concrete to cure thoroughly before using it (at least 28 days or as recommended).

Most sealants must be applied in dry conditions. When applied to damp concrete, it may become hazy or lose adherence during sealer application and for at least 24 hours afterwards.

Q: What happens if you seal concrete too soon?

A: It is also for this reason that a concrete sealer cannot usually be applied until the thirty-day curing period has passed.

You risk destroying and hurting the concrete's potential future strength if you apply a concrete sealer on a slab that has not fully cured.

Q: Should you DIY concrete pouring?

A: Whether you're constructing concrete countertops or a back patio, it may be less expensive to do it yourself than to hire someone.

The amount of concrete you'll need and the amount of time you must devote to your concrete project will determine how much money you'll save. However, it can save you a lot of money or go wrong.

Q: What’s the difference between ready-made and volumetric concrete?

A: Ready-mix concrete is made at the factory, placed into a truck, and transported to your construction site. This variety is less expensive, but you'll have to order the exact amount you'll need ahead of time.

At your construction site, volumetric concrete is mixed in specialised trucks. There are several advantages to this method, including the fact that you only pay for what you need and that it is freshly cooked on-site, giving you more time to work with it.

Unfortunately, volumetric concrete costs more per cubic metre than ready-mix concrete. You do, however, have a lot of options.

Sources

1. https://www.waltons.co.uk/blog/how-to-build-a-concrete-shed-base
2. https://www.easymixconcrete.com/about-us/ready-mix-concrete-prices/
3. https://rapidreadymix.co.uk/2021/02/27/what-affects-ready-mix-concrete-prices-in-london/
4. https://www.networkconcrete.co.uk/the-strengths-benefits-of-poured-concrete/

Author: Emma M

I am a Liverpool-based freelance writer with a degree in Media and Communications. I specialise in product reviews, home improvement and DIY content. I am also experienced in social media management and content marketing.