Concrete Cost Calculator
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How Much Does Concrete Cost?
Concrete pricing varies dramatically depending on whether you buy premix bags, order ready-mix delivery, or mix from raw materials. This guide breaks down every cost so you can budget accurately and choose the most economical option for your project size.
Concrete Material Costs at a Glance
| Supply Method | Cost per m3 | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premix bags (25 kg) | EUR 420-580 | Very small jobs (under 0.3 m3) | Convenient but expensive per m3 |
| Ready-mix delivery | EUR 100-140 | Medium to large jobs (0.5 m3+) | Factory-batched, consistent quality |
| Self-mix (cement + sand + gravel) | EUR 60-80 | Budget-conscious DIYers with a mixer | Requires correct ratios and mixing skill |
| Mini-mix truck (small delivery) | EUR 160-220 | Jobs between 0.25-1 m3 | Higher per-m3 cost but lower minimum |
Premix Bag Cost Breakdown
| Quantity | Concrete Volume | Bag Cost (at EUR 6/bag) | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 bags | 0.12 m3 | EUR 60 | EUR 60 |
| 25 bags | 0.30 m3 | EUR 150 | EUR 150 |
| 50 bags | 0.60 m3 | EUR 300 | EUR 300 |
| 84 bags | 1.00 m3 | EUR 504 | EUR 504 |
| 168 bags | 2.00 m3 | EUR 1,008 | EUR 1,008 |
Compare this to ready-mix at EUR 120/m3: 1 m3 of ready-mix costs EUR 120 while 84 premix bags cost EUR 504. The savings become massive at larger volumes.
Cost per Square Metre by Slab Depth
This table shows material cost only (no labour) using ready-mix concrete at EUR 120/m3, including 10% waste.
| Slab Depth | Volume per m2 | Cost per m2 (Ready-Mix) | Cost per m2 (Premix) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 cm | 0.055 m3 | EUR 6.60 | EUR 27.50 |
| 8 cm | 0.088 m3 | EUR 10.56 | EUR 44.00 |
| 10 cm | 0.110 m3 | EUR 13.20 | EUR 55.00 |
| 12 cm | 0.132 m3 | EUR 15.84 | EUR 66.00 |
| 15 cm | 0.165 m3 | EUR 19.80 | EUR 82.50 |
| 20 cm | 0.220 m3 | EUR 26.40 | EUR 110.00 |
DIY vs Professional: Total Project Cost
| Project | Size | DIY (Ready-Mix) | DIY (Premix) | Professional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden path (5cm) | 5m x 1m | EUR 120-170 | EUR 185-260 | EUR 300-450 |
| Patio (10cm) | 4m x 3m | EUR 200-280 | EUR 555-770 | EUR 600-960 |
| Shed base (10cm) | 3m x 2.5m | EUR 160-220 | EUR 350-485 | EUR 450-700 |
| Garage floor (15cm) | 6m x 3m | EUR 400-540 | EUR 1,250-1,735 | EUR 1,100-1,800 |
| Driveway (15cm) | 10m x 3m | EUR 650-880 | EUR 2,080-2,890 | EUR 1,800-3,000 |
DIY costs include concrete, sub-base, formwork, reinforcement, and tool hire. Professional costs include everything plus labour and finishing.
Full Cost Breakdown: 12 m2 Patio (4m x 3m x 10cm)
Here is a detailed budget for a typical patio project, comparing the three main approaches.
| Cost Item | DIY (Premix) | DIY (Ready-Mix) | Professional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete | EUR 555-770 (93 bags) | EUR 160-185 (1.4 m3) | Included |
| Sub-base gravel (1.2 tonnes) | EUR 30-50 | EUR 30-50 | Included |
| Formwork timber | EUR 20-35 | EUR 20-35 | Included |
| Reinforcement mesh (5 sheets) | EUR 40-75 | EUR 40-75 | Included |
| DPM membrane | EUR 15-25 | EUR 15-25 | Included |
| Tool hire (mixer, compactor) | EUR 50-80 | EUR 30-50 | Included |
| Skip hire (excavated soil) | EUR 150-250 | EUR 150-250 | EUR 150-250 |
| Labour | Your time (1-2 days) | Your time (1 day) | Included |
| Total | EUR 860-1,285 | EUR 445-670 | EUR 600-960 |
The DIY ready-mix route is the cheapest option. Premix bags are the most expensive for a project this size because of the high per-m3 material cost and tool hire for mixing.
When Premix Bags Make Sense
Despite the higher per-m3 cost, premix bags are the right choice in certain situations:
- Very small pours — Under 0.3 m3 (25 bags or fewer), where the minimum delivery charge for ready-mix would exceed the bag cost.
- Remote or difficult access — Sites where a concrete truck cannot reach (narrow lanes, rear gardens with no side access).
- Staged pours — Fence posts, pier footings, and repair patches where you pour small amounts over multiple days.
- No time pressure — Bags can be stored and used as needed. Ready-mix must be placed within 90 minutes.
When to Order Ready-Mix
- Over 0.5 m3 — The cost savings over premix bags are substantial.
- Over 1.0 m3 — Almost always the right choice. Mixing 84+ bags is backbreaking work.
- Time-sensitive pours — Slabs must be poured in one session to avoid cold joints. A truck delivers in minutes what would take hours to mix by hand.
- Structural work — Factory-batched concrete meets guaranteed strength grades (C20, C25, C30). Bag-mixed concrete is harder to verify.
Hidden Costs Checklist
Many people budget for concrete but forget these additional expenses:
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-base gravel / hardcore | EUR 20-40 per tonne | Need 10-20 cm layer, compacted |
| Formwork timber | EUR 15-30 | Reusable if removed carefully |
| Reinforcement mesh (A142) | EUR 8-15 per sheet (2.4m x 1.2m) | 1 sheet per 2.88 m2 |
| DPM membrane | EUR 15-25 per 4m x 5m roll | Needed under garage floors, indoor slabs |
| Concrete mixer hire | EUR 25-50 per day | Only if using premix or self-mix |
| Plate compactor hire | EUR 30-50 per day | Essential for sub-base compaction |
| Skip hire (spoil removal) | EUR 150-250 | For excavated soil and debris |
| Expansion joint filler | EUR 5-10 per 2.4m strip | Needed for slabs wider than 3m |
| Curing compound | EUR 15-25 per 5L | Alternative to covering with polythene |
6 Ways to Save Money on Concrete
- Use ready-mix for any pour over 0.5 m3 — The cost difference is dramatic. 1 m3 of ready-mix costs EUR 120 versus EUR 504 in premix bags.
- Get three quotes — Ready-mix prices vary by supplier and day. Mid-week deliveries are sometimes cheaper.
- Prepare the site yourself — Excavation, sub-base compaction, and formwork are labour-intensive but do not require specialist skills. Do them yourself and hire a contractor for the pour and finish only.
- Reuse formwork — Timber formwork can be removed after 24-48 hours and reused on future projects.
- Order accurately — Use this calculator to avoid over-ordering (wasted money) or under-ordering (costly short loads or emergency bag runs).
- Time deliveries wisely — Saturday deliveries often carry a surcharge. Schedule for a weekday if possible.
These calculations are estimates only. Actual requirements may vary depending on surface conditions, product specifications, and installation methods. Always consult a qualified professional for precise measurements.
Prices updated: 2026-03Frequently Asked Questions
Premix bags (25 kg) cost EUR 5-7 each, which works out to EUR 420-580 per m3. Ready-mix delivery costs EUR 100-140 per m3. Premix is only cheaper for very small jobs under 0.3 m3 (about 25 bags) where you avoid the minimum delivery charge.
Order ready-mix for any pour over 0.5 m3 (about 42 bags). At this volume, ready-mix is cheaper, faster, and produces a more consistent result. Most suppliers have a minimum order of 1 m3. Some offer mini-mix trucks from 0.25 m3 at a premium.
Professional concrete laying costs EUR 40-80 per m2 depending on slab depth, access, site preparation, and your region. This includes formwork, sub-base, reinforcement, concrete, finishing, and labour. Expect EUR 600-1200 for a typical 10 m2 patio.
Budget for sub-base gravel (EUR 20-40 per tonne), formwork timber (EUR 15-30), reinforcement mesh (EUR 8-15 per sheet), DPM membrane (EUR 15-25 per roll), tool hire like plate compactor and mixer (EUR 40-80 per day), and skip hire for excavated soil (EUR 150-250).
Mixing from raw materials (cement, sand, gravel) costs about EUR 60-80 per m3 in materials, compared to EUR 420-580 per m3 for premix bags. However, you need a mixer, it takes longer, and getting the ratio wrong affects strength. For most DIY projects, premix bags are simpler and more reliable.
Concrete material costs EUR 10-16 per m2 for a 10 cm slab using ready-mix, or EUR 42-58 per m2 using premix bags. Professional installation with all preparation costs EUR 40-80 per m2. Thicker slabs cost proportionally more.
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