How much does concrete work cost in Ireland?
Free, no obligation. Sign in with Google to send your request.
Key takeaways
- Most concrete work jobs in Ireland land between €250–€10,000 — known locally as concreting.
- Concreting is an unlicensed trade in Ireland; structural slabs fall under the Building Regulations (Technical Guidance Documents) and new ground-floor slabs require radon protection in high-radon areas. Ready-mix is specified by strength class as elsewhere in the EU.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Concrete Work prices by job size in Ireland
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crack / patch repair Repair damaged concrete | €250 | €600 | €1,200 |
| Shed base or patio Reinforced base up to ~25m² | €1,500 | €3,000 | €5,500 |
| Driveway slab Full-depth concrete driveway | €3,500 | €6,000 | €10,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per m² (laid and finished) | €60 | €85 | €120 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Ireland typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a concrete work pro in Ireland
- Use reviewed local contractors — concreting is unlicensed in Ireland
- Get thickness, mix grade and mesh in the written quote
- Confirm 150mm compacted hardcore and a radon barrier/DPM where relevant
- Ask for public liability insurance
- Agree finish and joints before pouring
- Get references from slabs poured several years ago
Red flags
- No sub-base or mesh specified
- Cash-only, no VAT invoice
- Pour planned into frost or heavy rain
- Full payment upfront
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to EUR, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Onlinetradesmen.ie estimates; Irish ready-mix supplier price lists.
Frequently asked questions
What finishes can concrete have?
Broom (non-slip, standard outdoors), steel trowel (smooth, indoor), exposed aggregate, stamped/patterned, coloured and polished. Decorative finishes can add 30-100% to the base rate but replace the cost of a separate surface like pavers or tiles.
Does weather affect concrete pouring?
Strongly. Frost can ruin an uncured pour, extreme heat causes plastic shrinkage cracking, and rain marks fresh surfaces. Good contractors watch forecasts and will delay a pour; be suspicious of anyone happy to pour into bad weather to keep the schedule.
How much does concrete work cost?
Concrete is priced by area and thickness for slabs (per m² or sq ft), by volume for supply (per cubic metre/yard), and by the job for repairs. The concrete itself is often less than half the bill — formwork, reinforcement, sub-base preparation, finishing and access drive the labour cost.
How thick should a concrete slab be?
Common rules of thumb: 75-100mm (3-4") for paths and patios, 100-125mm (4-5") for driveways and garage floors, more for heavy vehicles — always over a compacted sub-base with mesh or fibre reinforcement. Thin slabs on soft ground crack no matter how good the finish looks.
How long does concrete take to cure?
You can usually walk on it after 24-48 hours, drive on it after about 7 days, and it reaches design strength at 28 days. Curing (keeping it damp, protecting from frost or extreme heat) in the first week matters more for durability than almost anything else.
What does a concrete slab cost in Ireland?
Laid flatwork typically runs €60-110 per m² including base preparation, with decorative finishes above that. Small loads carry ready-mix delivery surcharges, which pushes up the per-m² cost of little jobs.
Free, no obligation. Sign in with Google to send your request.