How much does concrete work cost in United Kingdom?
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Key takeaways
- Most concrete work jobs in United Kingdom land between £200–£8,500 — known locally as concreting (bases, paths and repairs).
- Concreting is unlicensed in the UK; structural slabs for extensions fall under Building Regulations, while impermeable front-garden surfaces over 5m² trigger the driveway drainage planning rule. Ready-mix is specified by grade (C20/C25/C35) which should appear in the quote.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Concrete Work prices by job size in United Kingdom
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crack / patch repair Repair cracked or spalled concrete | £200 | £500 | £1,000 |
| Shed base or patio Pour a reinforced base up to ~20m² | £800 | £1,800 | £3,500 |
| Driveway slab Full-depth concrete driveway with joints and finish | £3,000 | £5,000 | £8,500 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per m² (laid and finished) | £70 | £95 | £130 |
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 United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom
- Find concreters via Checkatrade or MyBuilder with reviewed flatwork jobs — no licence exists for concreting in the UK
- Get thickness, mix grade (C20-C35 typical residential) and reinforcement in the written quote
- Confirm 100-150mm compacted hardcore sub-base
- For front-garden slabs, remember the permeable-surface planning rule for driveways
- Ask for public liability insurance
- Agree the finish and joint layout before the pour
Red flags
- No sub-base or mix grade specified
- Pouring planned in frost
- Cash-only with no written quote
- Full payment before the pour
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 GBP, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Checkatrade concreting cost guide; UK ready-mix supplier price lists.
Frequently asked questions
Can damaged concrete be repaired instead of replaced?
Surface spalling, small cracks and pitting can be patched, resurfaced with an overlay, or ground back. Slabs that have sunk can sometimes be lifted with foam or grout injection ('slabjacking') for far less than replacement. Structural failure or widespread base movement means replacement.
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 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 should a concreting quote include?
Excavation and sub-base, formwork, reinforcement (mesh size or fibre dose), concrete grade and thickness, the finish (broom, trowel, exposed aggregate, stamped), control joints, curing method, and spoil removal. Any quote that just says 'supply and lay concrete' leaves too much undefined.
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.
What does ready-mix concrete cost in the UK?
Supply-only ready-mix typically runs £100-150 per m³ plus delivery, with small-load surcharges under about 4m³. Laid-and-finished flatwork comes to roughly £70-120 per m² including base preparation.
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