Reviewed, sourced guidance

What actually drives the cost of concrete work

Published 23 Sept 2026Reviewed 27 Sept 20262 min read

Direct answer

A finished concrete quote covers more than the mix: volume, access, preparation, labour and delivery terms can all matter. A strength-class label alone does not describe the full mix. This page gives one publisher’s installed-driveway figures, not a ready-mix price or local quote.

Ready-mix quotes depend on the mix and delivery terms. Published installed-driveway figures provide context, not a ready-mix price.

Key takeaways

Volume, mix, delivery distance, access and ground preparation are the main cost variables.
An installed driveway estimate includes preparation and labour as well as concrete.
Published UK figures for installed concrete driveways range from about £85 to £130 per square metre for 2026.
No ready-mix price per cubic metre is verified on this page.

Evidence note

Source-led homeowner information with its scope, limits and commercial status recorded.

View the full evidence note

Produced by: My Concrete Calculator
Jurisdiction: Applies to work in the United Kingdom; specification requirements vary across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Page scope: The variables that move the price of concrete work, and why a single headline rate is misleading.
Default subject: Concrete quantity estimation for slabs, footings and similar straightforward pours, including waste allowances and optional product-specific bag estimates.
Excludes: Structural, engineering or specification advice; Mix design or strength class selection for any specific job; Prices, quotations or supplier comparisons; Supplier recommendation, ranking or referral; Concrete supply, delivery, placing or finishing
Published: 2026-09-23
Reviewed: 2026-09-27
Commercial status: Information publisher only. No supplier is active, no lead capture runs, no enquiries are collected and no affiliate links are present.

The figures on this page are observed published UK ranges from the dated source below, not quotations. They are a planning context only and not a price this site stands behind.

How this guidance is produced · Correction submission status

The variables that move

The specified mix is one quote input. A strength-class label alone does not contain the whole specification.

Delivery terms differ by supplier. Ask whether part-load, pump, waiting-time or returned-concrete charges apply.

Volume and load size, including any supplier minimum.
Strength class and exposure requirements.
Delivery distance, and whether a pump is needed.
Site access and how far the concrete must travel to the pour.

Sources for this section: The Concrete Centre, BS 8500 for building and civil structures (2024 guide to BS 8500:2023; observed 2026-09-25)Heidelberg Materials, Merchant concrete guide (December 2025; observed 2026-09-25)

Observed UK figures

One published UK cost guide, accessed on 25 September 2026, gives installed concrete driveway costs of about £85 to £130 per square metre, and £5,500 to £8,000 for a 60 square metre driveway.

The same guide puts installation labour at roughly £150 to £200 per person per day, and site preparation at £750 to £1,500. These are the guide publisher figures, not this site figures, and they are a range because the job is the variable.

Installed concrete driveway, per square metre: about £85 to £130.
60 square metre concrete driveway, installed: about £5,500 to £8,000.
Site preparation and grading: about £750 to £1,500.
Removing an existing driveway: about £500 to £2,000.

Sources for this section: MyJobQuote new driveway cost guide, UK 2026 prices (observed 2026-09-25)

Why no price per cubic metre

This page has not verified a single national ready-mix rate. Supplier quotations may include different specifications and delivery terms.

Use the calculator for a planning quantity, then ask suppliers to quote the same full specification and measured volume.

Compare written quotes for the same complete specification and measured volume.
Ask which delivery, offloading, waiting, pump, part-load or surplus charges apply.
Compare the full specification, not strength class alone.

Next steps

Calculate the volume first so every quote is priced on the same number.
Ask each supplier what the quote excludes.

Sources

Before you order