Aggregates are the sand, gravel, ballast and crushed stone that go into concrete, mortar, sub-bases and drainage. For most building and landscaping jobs they're delivered in bulk bags of about 800–900 kg, set down at the kerb or lifted onto your drive by the lorry's crane. For larger jobs, a tipper delivers loose loads by the tonne, which is cheaper per tonne.
Which aggregate do I need?
Building sand
Soft, fine sand for bricklaying and blockwork mortar.
Sharp sand
Coarser grit sand for floor screeds, bedding block paving, laying slabs and concrete. Stronger and less flexible than building sand.
All-in ballast
Sharp sand and gravel already mixed, usually up to 20 mm. Add cement for footings, bases, paths and fence posts: about 1 part cement to 5 parts ballast for general concrete.
Gravel
10 mm for pipe bedding and fine concrete, 20 mm for general concrete and drainage, 40 mm for drainage only.
MOT Type 1 Most used
Crushed rock or concrete graded down to dust. The fines lock together when compacted, making a firm sub-base for drives, patios, paths and shed bases. Not free-draining.
Type 3 sub-base
Crushed stone with the fines taken out, so water drains through. Used under permeable paving.
Recycled Type 1 and crushed concrete Check paperwork
Make sure it's produced to the recycled aggregate quality protocol, or it may legally still be waste. Quality can vary with the source.
Hardcore
Broken rubble used as fill for roads, tracks and driveways.
Bulk bags or a loose load?
Smaller jobs
Clean, easy to store and easy to move. A crane lorry can lift bags over a wall or onto the drive, so the material stays off the road.
Bags are usually single-trip and not returnable.
Bigger jobs, by the tonne
A tipper drops the load on hardstanding: about 10 t from a 4-wheeler, 16 t from a 6-wheeler, 20 t from an 8-wheeler and 29 t from an articulated lorry. Minimum orders of 5–10 t are common.
A grab lorry can place loose material over a wall and take waste away on the same trip.
How much do I need?
- VolumeArea in m² × depth in metres gives cubic metres. A patio 5 m × 5 m at 100 mm deep is 2.5 m³.
- Allow for compactionSub-base compacts down, so multiply by about 1.3, then add about 10% for waste.
- Convert to tonnesMultiply by about 1.6 for most sand, ballast and sub-base. The 5 m × 5 m patio needs about 5.7 tonnes of Type 1, or 7 bags of about 850 kg.
| Job | Typical sub-base depth |
|---|---|
| Patios and garden paths | 75–100 mm |
| Driveways and public footpaths | 100–150 mm |
| Heavy use | 150–225 mm |
Compact Type 1 in layers no thicker than about 75–100 mm. As a rough guide, one Type 1 bulk bag covers about 8–10 m² at 50 mm compacted, or 4–5 m² at 100 mm.
How much do aggregates cost?
Delivered prices from UK suppliers' websites, checked in October 2026. Prices vary widely by area and supplier, so compare a few.
- MaterialPrices vary by material and source. Of the bags we checked, granite Type 1 was among the dearest.
- QuantitySome suppliers discount multiple bags or larger loose loads.
- DeliveryOften free over a set order value (commonly £150–£350), otherwise about £10–£30. Crane delivery for restricted access can cost extra.
- VATSome prices are shown with VAT and some without, so check before comparing.
Delivery, access and cranes
- Kerbside: a tail-lift drop needs flat, level, solid ground, and someone on site to accept it.
- Crane lorry: a lorry-mounted crane typically reaches 6–8 m and can lift bags over walls and fences within reach. One supplier's crane lorry is about 15 m long and needs at least 2.6 m access width.
- Notice: crane deliveries are often booked a few days ahead. Tell the supplier about walls, steps and where you want the bags.
- Overhead lines: tell the supplier about any power lines near the drop. Cranes and raised tipper bodies must stay well clear of them.
- Loose loads: the tipper needs room to get in and tip on hard, level ground. An articulated tipper can weigh up to 44 t.
Leaving sand, stone or bags on the road or pavement needs the council's consent under section 171 of the Highways Act 1980, and the material must be fenced and lit at night. Councils charge for this and want notice. Ask for a crane drop onto your land instead.
Quality and paperwork
- Standards: aggregates for concrete are made to BS EN 12620, and Type 1 sub-base to the Specification for Highway Works clause 803. Suppliers can provide a Declaration of Performance.
- Recycled aggregate: material made under the quality protocol for aggregates from inert waste should come with a statement on the delivery paperwork. Without it, the material may still count as waste, with waste rules for carrying and using it.
- Weight varies: bag weight can vary by about 5% with moisture, and natural colour varies by quarry, which matters if it will be on show.
Handling it safely
- Deliver close to use: HSE advises getting materials delivered as close as possible to where they'll be used, and using barrows, sack trucks or machines instead of carrying.
- Stand clear of lifts: keep people away from under a crane lift and behind reversing lorries. Use a trained banksman on busy sites.
Questions to ask an aggregates supplier
- Is the price per bag or per tonne, and does it include VAT and delivery?
- How much does each bag weigh, and is it virgin or recycled material?
- Can your crane reach where I want the bags?
- What access does the lorry need, and what's the minimum loose load?
- Which standard is it made to, and can I see the Declaration of Performance?
- For recycled material, is it produced under the quality protocol?
Prices in this guide are typical ranges from suppliers' published price lists and cost guides. They change and vary by area, so always confirm the price with the supplier before you book. Rules, fees and tax rates are checked against official sources.