Ready-mix concrete is concrete batched at a plant to an exact mix and delivered in a lorry with a turning drum. You order by the cubic metre (m³), the lorry backs up to your pour, and the concrete runs down its chute, into barrows or into a pump. For most foundations, slabs and bases over about 1 m³ it is quicker and more consistent than mixing by hand.
Drum lorry or volumetric?
You know how much you need
Concrete is mixed at the plant and arrives ready to pour. Best for footings, slabs and larger pours where you can measure the volume accurately.
Mini-mix lorries carry smaller loads, from about 1 m³, for tighter access.
You're not sure of the exact amount
The lorry carries cement, sand, stone and water in separate bins and mixes on site, stopping when you have enough. You pay for what you use, from about 0.5 m³, and one visit can make more than one mix.
Batching by volume is less precise than weighing at a plant, so ask how the mix is checked.
Mixer lorry sizes
| Lorry | Load | Weight loaded | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 m³ drum | up to about 8 m³ | about 32 t | about 9.2 m long, 2.55 m wide, 3.75 m high |
| 6 m³ drum | up to about 6 m³ | about 26 t | about 8.7 m long, 2.55 m wide, 3.75 m high |
| Mini-mix | about 1–4 m³ | about 18 t | about 7.2–7.6 m long, 3 m wide |
| Volumetric | about 0.5–8 m³ | varies | mixes on site as it pours |
Figures from UK suppliers' published lorry data. A drum lorry's chute reaches only about 2.75 m, so anything further needs barrows or a pump.
Which concrete mix do I need?
Typical uses for the common UK mixes. Designated mixes (GEN, RC, PAV, FND) come from plants with third-party certification; the ST mixes are the older prescribed equivalents. If an engineer or building control has specified a mix, order that.
| Job | Designated mix | ST equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Blinding, kerb bedding | GEN0 | ST1 |
| Strip footings, trench fill, fence posts | GEN1 | ST2 |
| House floors with a finish on top, shed bases | GEN2 | ST3 |
| Garage floors, internal slabs with no steel | GEN3 | ST4 |
| Lightly reinforced house and garage floors | RC20/25 | ST5 |
| Reinforced foundations and general reinforced work | RC25/30 to RC28/35 | none |
| Driveways, patios and hardstanding (no de-icing salt) | PAV1 | none |
| Heavy-duty paving, or where de-icing salt is used | PAV2 | none |
| Foundations in aggressive ground | FND2 to FND4 | none |
How much concrete to order
- Measure in metresLength × width × depth gives cubic metres. Split L-shapes and odd areas into rectangles and add them up.
- Add a marginAdd 5–10% for uneven ground, spillage and formwork that bows. Running short mid-pour is far worse than a little left over.
- Check the minimumAsk the supplier for their minimum order and part-load charge before you round up. A volumetric lorry avoids the guesswork.
A 4 m × 3 m garage base 100 mm deep is 4 × 3 × 0.1 = 1.2 m³; with a 10% margin, order about 1.3 m³. A strip footing 10 m long, 0.6 m wide and 1 m deep is 6 m³; order about 6.5 m³.
How much does ready-mix concrete cost?
Ranges from UK cost guides and supplier price lists published in 2026. Some include VAT and some don't, and London and the South East are usually dearer.
- Load sizeA full lorry gives the best rate per m³. Part loads carry a surcharge, and some suppliers set a minimum order or delivery charge.
- Mix and strengthStronger reinforced and paving mixes cost more than general foundation mixes.
- Waiting timeAbout 30 minutes to unload is usually included. After that, expect waiting charges, often a few pounds a minute or £50–£100 an hour.
- PumpingBoom pumps cost more than line pumps, often £550–£1,200 a day depending on reach.
- TimingOut-of-hours and weekend deliveries usually cost extra, and cancelling at short notice (some suppliers say under 2 hours) can cost the price of the load.
Access, pumps and preparing the site
- Route in: check road width, low bridges, height limits and overhead cables. A loaded 8 m³ lorry weighs about 32 tonnes, so it shouldn't cross drives, drains or soft ground that can't take it.
- Safe access: suppliers' terms usually require safe, clear access to the point of discharge, off the public road. If the lorry can't get there safely, the driver can refuse and you may still pay.
- Chute or barrow: the chute reaches about 2.75 m. Beyond that, have enough barrows and people ready to move the load within the free unloading time.
- Line pump: concrete is pushed along a hose, so it suits back gardens without side access, through houses and long runs.
- Boom pump: a folding arm places concrete over walls and roofs. It needs firm ground under its outriggers and clear air above.
- On the road: standing a concrete pump on the highway can need a council licence. Rules vary by council, so ask early.
On the day
- Check the ticket: it should show the mix, grade, volume and batching time. Check it against what you ordered before the pour starts, then sign it.
- Don't add water: extra water weakens concrete and can take it out of its grade. Most suppliers only allow it with your authorisation, recorded on the ticket, and some say it voids their warranty.
- Keep it moving: house-building standards say ready-mixed concrete should be placed within 2 hours of water being added at the plant.
- Be ready: formwork set and checked, reinforcement in place, tools and labour on site before the lorry arrives.
Pouring in cold or hot weather
Keep it above 5°C
Concrete should be at least 5°C when delivered and kept at 5°C or above for about 48 hours. Never pour onto frozen ground, and cover new work with insulation or frost blankets.
Above about 25°C
Pour early or late in the day, dampen formwork, ask the supplier about a retarding admixture, and start curing straight away so the surface doesn't dry and crack.
Safety and washout
- Cement burns: wet concrete is strongly alkaline and can cause serious burns and dermatitis. HSE advises alkali-resistant waterproof gloves, wellingtons tall enough to keep concrete out, waterproof trousers worn over the boots and knee pads, with clean water and eyewash on site.
- Washout: concrete washwater is a pollutant. It must never go into surface water drains or watercourses. Wash out in a contained area and let leftover concrete harden before disposal.
- Reversing lorries: use a trained banksman where the lorry has to reverse on site or near people.
Questions to ask a concrete supplier
- What is the price per m³ for my mix, and does it include VAT and delivery?
- Is there a part-load charge or minimum order?
- How long is free unloading, and what do you charge after that?
- Which lorry will you send, and can it reach my pour?
- Can you supply or book a pump?
- Ready-mixed or volumetric, and how is the mix checked?
- What notice do you need to change or cancel the delivery?
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.