A clear explanation of how UK ready-mix concrete is priced, what the charges mean, and practical tips for reducing your concrete supply costs.
Ready-mix concrete pricing in the UK can seem straightforward — a price per cubic metre — but once you look closely at a supplier quotation, a range of additional charges and conditions appear that can significantly affect the total cost. This guide explains the full picture.
How Ready-Mix Concrete is Priced
The base price per m³ reflects the cost of cement, aggregates, water, and admixtures, plus the plant's production overheads and margin. Prices vary with:
- Mix grade and specification — higher-grade mixes use more cement and cost more
- Admixtures — plasticisers, retarders, and accelerators all add cost
- Regional location — aggregate availability and plant density affect local prices
- Order volume — larger projects attract better rates, often negotiated at project inception
Understanding Surcharges
Beyond the base price, suppliers apply a range of surcharges:
Short load charge: Typically applied to loads under 4–6m³. The charge is usually £30–£60 per m³ short of the minimum. Always try to plan pours to fill the truck.
Waiting time: If the truck waits on site beyond 30 minutes, you'll be charged at £1–£2 per minute. Have your formwork, labour, and pump ready before the truck arrives.
Saturday delivery: Most suppliers charge a premium of £10–£20/m³ for weekend delivery.
Return load charge: If a part-load is returned, expect a charge for the returned concrete. Careful volume calculation avoids this.
Washing out charge: A fixed charge (typically £50–£100) for on-site washout. Some sites prohibit this for environmental reasons — check before ordering.
How to Get a Better Deal
Get multiple quotes: The ready-mix market is competitive. Obtaining three quotes from regional suppliers for any project above 20m³ is standard practice.
Commit early: Suppliers offer better rates when they can plan their production. Book well in advance for large pours.
Aggregate your volumes: If you have multiple projects in a region, negotiate a framework price based on total annual volume rather than project-by-project.
Understand the specification: Sometimes a lower grade mix at a higher volume is cheaper than a higher grade mix you don't need. Always work from the structural engineer's minimum requirements, not a default assumption.
Use an estimator: An experienced concrete estimator can often achieve 5–10% savings on material costs through accurate quantification and supplier negotiation — saving more than their fee on any significant project.