Compare UK concrete costs by real project type in 2026 — from shed bases and garage slabs to foundations, driveways, footings, floors and patios. Use the ConcreteMaths guide to estimate volume, ready-mix cost, site-mix cost, delivery, pump hire, VAT and realistic project allowances.
Concrete Costs by Project Type — UK Price Guide 2026
Concrete pricing in the UK is rarely one simple number. The visible concrete cost per cubic metre is only one part of the job. A domestic concrete slab, for example, also involves excavation, sub-base preparation, damp proofing, formwork, reinforcement, waste allowance, delivery, labour, access and finishing. A foundation pour can look cheap on a per-m³ basis but become expensive if the trench is deep, access is poor, the concrete has to be barrowed, or a pump is needed.
This ConcreteMaths guide compares typical UK concrete costs by project type so you can budget the whole job more realistically. It is designed for homeowners, self-builders, landscapers, small contractors and DIY users who need a practical first estimate before requesting supplier quotes. Prices are indicative for 2026 and should always be confirmed with local ready-mix suppliers, groundworkers or contractors before ordering.
2026 Pricing Context
UK construction material prices remain active in 2026. GOV.UK’s May 2026 building materials commentary reported an annual rise in the “All Work” construction material price index, while Aggregates Levy increased to £2.16 per tonne from 1 April 2026. Concrete costs therefore depend on both local material supply and regional labour/haulage rates.
Quick Cost Table by Concrete Project Type
The table below gives a realistic starting point for common UK concrete projects. It includes concrete supply and typical domestic installation factors, but it does not replace a written quotation. Structural works, poor ground, restricted access, pump hire, reinforcement, spoil removal and Building Control requirements can all change the final price.
- Project Type: Shed Base; Typical Size / Volume: 8–15m²; Usual Depth / Grade: 75–100mm, C20/C25; 2026 Guide Cost: £450–£1,200; Recommended Supply Method: Bags, site-mix or small ready-mix load
- Project Type: Garage Base; Typical Size / Volume: 15–30m²; Usual Depth / Grade: 100–150mm, C25/C30; 2026 Guide Cost: £1,200–£3,800; Recommended Supply Method: Ready-mix, often barrowed or pumped
- Project Type: Concrete Driveway; Typical Size / Volume: 25–50m²; Usual Depth / Grade: 100–150mm, C30/PAV1+; 2026 Guide Cost: £2,000–£7,500; Recommended Supply Method: Ready-mix with proper finishing and drainage
- Project Type: Patio / Path Base; Typical Size / Volume: 10–35m²; Usual Depth / Grade: 75–100mm, C20/C25; 2026 Guide Cost: £700–£3,000; Recommended Supply Method: Site-mix for small jobs; ready-mix for larger
- Project Type: Strip Foundations; Typical Size / Volume: 3–10m³+; Usual Depth / Grade: C20/C25 or engineer specified; 2026 Guide Cost: £900–£4,500+; Recommended Supply Method: Ready-mix direct chute or pump
- Project Type: Extension Slab; Typical Size / Volume: 15–40m²; Usual Depth / Grade: 100–150mm, with DPM/insulation build-up; 2026 Guide Cost: £1,800–£6,000+; Recommended Supply Method: Ready-mix, sometimes line pump
- Project Type: Raft Foundation; Typical Size / Volume: 5–20m³+; Usual Depth / Grade: Engineer specified, reinforced; 2026 Guide Cost: £4,000–£15,000+; Recommended Supply Method: Ready-mix with pump, reinforcement and inspection
How Concrete Project Costs Are Determined
The first working is volume. For a simple slab, multiply length × width × depth. Depth must be converted from millimetres to metres before multiplying. A 5m × 3m slab at 100mm thickness is 5 × 3 × 0.10 = 1.5m³ before waste. Add 5–10% for spillage, uneven excavation, shuttering loss and levelling, and the order becomes roughly 1.6m³.
Once volume is known, the supply method changes the price. Ready-mix is usually the best value for medium and large pours because the concrete is batched consistently and delivered in one load. DIY bagged concrete can work for post holes and tiny bases, but the cost per cubic metre is high and the labour is significant. Site-mixing cement and ballast can reduce cash cost on small non-critical jobs, but quality control becomes harder as volume increases.
Volume
Concrete is ordered in cubic metres. Always convert depth from millimetres to metres and round up, not down.
Delivery
Haulage, part-load fees, waiting time and access can add more than the raw concrete cost on small pours.
Labour
Barrowing, levelling, compacting, finishing and curing are labour-sensitive and often cost more than expected.
Preparation
Sub-base, membrane, formwork, insulation, reinforcement and excavation are separate from concrete supply.
Drainage
Driveways and external slabs need fall, drainage and damp proofing details to avoid future failures.
VAT
Most domestic contractor work and material supply is subject to standard VAT unless a specific relief applies.
Shed Base Concrete Cost
A concrete shed base is usually one of the cheapest concrete projects, but it still needs correct preparation. The slab must sit on compacted hardcore or MOT Type 1, not directly on soft soil. For small timber sheds, 75mm concrete may be enough, but 100mm is a safer standard for heavier garden buildings, workshops and storage units. Most shed bases use C20 or C25 concrete, depending on load and site conditions.
For a simple 3m × 3m shed base at 100mm, the concrete volume is 0.9m³ before waste. With waste allowance, budget around 1.0m³. If using ready-mix bags, that can mean a very large number of bags and significant labour. For this reason, small-load ready-mix or site-mixed cement and ballast may be better for bases above about 0.5m³, especially when access is reasonable.
Practical Shed Base Tip
Spend money on preparation before decorative extras. A well-compacted sub-base, straight shuttering and correct slab level will do more for the life of the shed than simply ordering a stronger concrete grade.
Garage Base and Workshop Slab Costs
Garage bases are more demanding than small shed bases because they carry vehicle loads and often need a clean, durable finished surface. A typical garage slab is 100–150mm thick, usually specified around C25 or C30 depending on loading, reinforcement and use. A domestic single garage base might need 2–5m³ of concrete, while a larger workshop or double garage can require more.
The hidden costs are usually excavation, sub-base depth, damp proof membrane, insulation if the garage is habitable or future-convertible, reinforcement mesh, shuttering and finishing. If the ready-mix lorry cannot discharge close to the slab, labour for barrowing can add hundreds of pounds. For larger garage bases, a line pump may cost more upfront but can reduce labour, speed up placement and improve finish quality.
Concrete Driveway Costs in 2026
Concrete driveways cost more than ordinary internal slabs because they need excavation, compacted sub-base, suitable concrete grade, joints, surface finish, drainage design and often edge restraint. A driveway must also avoid creating surface water runoff problems. In England, front garden driveways over 5m² normally need to use permeable construction or drain rainwater to a permeable area to avoid a planning application.
For a standard domestic concrete driveway, C30/PAV1 or similar may be used, but specification should match exposure, freeze-thaw risk, de-icing salts and traffic loading. Pattern imprinted concrete, brushed concrete and reinforced concrete all have different cost profiles. The cheapest quote is not always best because poor drainage, poor sub-base compaction or bad finishing can lead to cracking, ponding and surface failure.
Driveway Planning & Drainage
If a front driveway uses impermeable surfacing and rainwater runs to the highway, planning permission may be required. Permeable paving, porous asphalt, gravel or drainage to a lawn/border can avoid this issue when designed correctly.
Foundation and Footing Concrete Costs
Foundation concrete is not the place to guess. Strip foundations, trench-fill foundations, pad foundations and raft foundations should follow Building Control requirements and engineer designs where required. The concrete cost per cubic metre may look similar to slab concrete, but the project cost is affected by excavation depth, trench width, soil conditions, access, reinforcement, inspection timing and disposal of spoil.
Ready-mix is normally the correct choice for foundations because consistency matters and large volumes must be placed efficiently. If trenches are narrow and the lorry can reverse close to the work, direct chute discharge can be economical. If access is poor, a pump may be needed. Pump hire can look expensive, but delayed pours, unsafe barrowing, cold joints and inconsistent site-mixing can cost far more.
Do Not Under-Order Foundation Concrete
Running short during a foundation pour can create cold joints and delays. Measure trenches carefully, include overdig, confirm levels after inspection and round up conservatively.
Ready-Mix vs Site-Mixed Cost by Project
For tiny jobs, site-mix or bagged concrete can make sense because delivery fees and part-load charges can dominate ready-mix pricing. For medium jobs, ready-mix usually wins on consistency, speed and total labour cost. For structural jobs, ready-mix is strongly preferred because batching, strength and documentation are more reliable.
A simple rule of thumb is that below 0.25m³, bags are convenient. Between 0.25m³ and 0.75m³, compare bags, site-mix and small-load ready-mix. Above 1m³, ready-mix normally becomes the practical option. For 2m³ and above, DIY mixing becomes physically demanding and quality may suffer unless a skilled team and mixer are available.
Bagged Concrete
Best for post holes, repair patches and tiny bases. Convenient but expensive per m³ and labour-intensive.
Site-Mixed Concrete
Good for small non-critical domestic jobs where labour is available and consistency can be controlled.
Ready-Mix Concrete
Best for slabs, driveways, floors and foundations where volume, speed and repeatable strength matter.
Regional Concrete Cost Differences in the UK
Concrete costs vary across the UK because materials, haulage, labour, plant hire and disposal costs are not the same everywhere. London and the South East often attract higher prices due to labour rates, congestion, waiting time and access restrictions. Rural areas may be cheaper for labour but more expensive for delivery if suppliers are far away. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may have different aggregate, haulage and levy arrangements, so local supplier quotes are essential.
For homeowners, the biggest practical issue is not always the concrete price itself, but whether the lorry can reach the pour. A project in a narrow terrace street may need barrow labour or a pump. A rural project with a long drive may have easy discharge but higher haulage. A city driveway may require parking suspension or strict delivery timing. All of these details should be discussed before ordering.
What to Include in a Concrete Quote
When comparing quotes, make sure each supplier or contractor is pricing the same scope. One quote may include excavation, hardcore, membrane, reinforcement and finishing, while another may price only concrete supply. A low headline number can become expensive if essential items are excluded.
- Concrete grade and specification:C20, C25, C30, PAV1, sulphate resistance, fibres or additives where required.
- Total m³ ordered:Include waste allowance and confirm how part-load fees are handled.
- Delivery and waiting time:Ask how long the lorry can wait and what extra time costs.
- Placement method:Direct chute, barrow-in, dumper, line pump or boom pump.
- Preparation:Excavation, sub-base, DPM, formwork, reinforcement, insulation and levels.
- Finishing:Float finish, tamped finish, brushed finish, power float or pattern imprinted finish.
- Aftercare:Curing, protection from rain/frost, joint cutting and return visits.
- VAT:Confirm whether quoted prices are plus VAT or inclusive of VAT.
Use This Guide for Budgeting — Confirm Structural Work Professionally
ConcreteMaths guides are planning resources. For foundations, retaining walls, structural slabs, raft foundations, suspended floors, commercial works or Building Control projects, always follow the engineer’s specification and local authority / approved inspector requirements.
Concrete Costs by Project Type — FAQs
Common UK questions about concrete project pricing, volume, ready-mix, DIY mixing, VAT and 2026 budgeting.
Related ConcreteMaths Resources
Use these free guides to refine your concrete project budget and material order.