Concrete pouring cost guide
by
Checkatrade

Concrete pouring might not the most glamorous of subjects, but it’s a key part of many home improvement projects. Whether you’re planning a new driveway, laying new flooring or need foundations for a new house, this concrete pouring cost guide is for you.

We look at the average costs in the UK for pouring concrete slab, pouring an average concrete driveway and pouring concrete foundation. It’s important to understand the prices of concrete pouring so that you can plan your budget and manage your spending for the project.

How much does concrete pouring cost?

The average price for concrete pouring is about £100 per m3. The price you’ll pay will vary on a number of factors, most notably the quality (or ‘grade’) of the concrete you use.

The other factors that will affect the cost of pouring concrete are:

• Amount of concrete
• Access to the site
• Complexity of the job
• Any prep work needed
• Where you live

For accurate prices, speak to your local concrete pouring experts about your project and ask for a quote.

Pouring concrete cost per square foot

The cost of pouring concrete is actually calculated per cubic foot (m3), rather than cost per square foot. That’s because generally you need to fill a certain volume rather than just an area, so speaking in terms of square footage (or even weight) doesn’t translate easily.

For grades C8/C10/C15 the average concrete pouring cost is around £90 per m3. For grades C20/C25 you’re looking at a cost of about £95 per m3. For grades C30/C35 the average price is £100 per m3. Or, if you want grades C40/C45 the average cost of concrete pouring is about £110 per m3.

If you’re not sure how much concrete you’re going to need, speak to your local concrete pouring specialists for their professional advice. If necessary, they can carry out an inspection of the site in order to give you an accurate quote.

Average cost of a pouring concrete driveway

Concrete driveways used to have a bad name as they tended to be pretty ugly. Thankfully, things have changed and concrete driveways are becoming a more popular choice with British homeowners. The quality and variety of finishes for concrete these days makes them a much more attractive option.

The average cost of pouring a concrete driveway can vary considerably, anywhere from £600 up to £8,000. Two of the most important factors that will influence the total price you pay are the size of the driveway and the quality of concrete used. The larger the driveway and the better quality the concrete, the higher the cost of concrete pouring.

Pouring concrete driveway labour costs

The labour costs for pouring a concrete driveway are somewhere in the region of £40-50 per m2. That may vary depending on the complexity of the job and the time it takes to pour the concrete. As a guide, you’ll be paying around £220-£450 per day for the labour.

A small driveway can take about two days to complete. Larger driveways can take up to seven days, depending on the site and complexity of the job.

Cost of pouring concrete slab

Concrete slabs are used in modern buildings to provide a flat, horizontal surface. They’re most commonly used for floors, ceiling and roof decks. In many domestic buildings, a concrete slab is used on top of the foundations to provide a solid ground floor – this is known as a ground-bearing slab.

The average cost of pouring concrete slab is about £65-£85 per m3. Like with other types of concrete pouring, that price will vary depending on the quality of the concrete used, the size and complexity of the job, and where you live in the country.

As an example, if you have a floor area of 130m2 and need a concrete slab 300mm thick, then you’re looking at a volume of around 40m3. The cost of pouring a concrete slab for that project would be somewhere between £2,600 and £3,500, plus labour.

Cost of pouring concrete foundation

The cost of pouring concrete foundations tends to be more expensive than other concrete pouring jobs. The average price is around £135 per m3.

The challenge with concrete foundations is that it’s very difficult to plan accurately until you’ve started the work. Factors like the ground conditions and specific requirements for the project vary, and you’ll only discover the reality once you’ve started digging.

We always recommend speaking with your construction company for their advice and plan a healthy budget for the foundations. After all, they’re the base for your whole project, so they need to be done right.

Useful concrete pouring checklist

• Calculate the volume of concrete that you’re going to need. If in doubt, seek the help of a concrete pouring specialist.
• Discuss the needs of the project with your local concrete experts to get their professional advice.
• Shop around for fair and competitive concrete pouring costs.
• Ask for detailed information about what is included in the price of the quote.
• Always hire tradespeople with experience and relevant qualifications and/or accreditations.