Concrete can be a difficult task, particularly if you’re new to working with it. Many individuals are unaware of what concrete costs or how much may be required for their project. As a result, we’ve made the process as simple as possible for you.
How much does concrete cost? There’s no easy answer since there are so many variables that influence the cost of concrete, including the size of your project and the type or strength of concrete required.
This article may assist you in determining the cost of concrete per m3 (cubic metre) so you may create a budget for your project or job. You might come across concrete being quoted in square meters, with different prices depending on the size.
Ready-Mix Concrete Cost
A pre-mixed batch is delivered by truck and poured using a chute, and concrete produced in this manner is known as “pre-mixed.” You may notify the supplier when ordering pre-mixed concrete:
- Your address and name for delivery
- The concrete use (e.g. concrete driveways, pathways or foundations)
- The amount required, preferably in cubic metres
- Concrete class (normal or special class)
Concrete is one of the most important components in a design, and this is especially true when it comes to basement walls. The quantity required may vary by as much as 10% from start to finish because of waste or changes on a project, therefore, order more concrete than you think you’ll need, typically 10%. To be on the safe side, concreters recommend rounding up your order.
How Much Concrete Costs per Square Meter
When it comes to calculating the cost of concrete per m3, be prepared for concreters to quote a concrete cost per m2. You could anticipate to pay anything from:
- Concrete prices range from $60 to $85 per square metre for basic class concrete.
- For reinforced concrete, expect to pay between $65 and $90 per square metre.
- For an exposed aggregate finish, expect to pay between $100 and $150 per square metre.
Ready-Mix Concrete Price per m3
The average cost of concrete varies between $200 and $300 per cubic metres, but you might pay up to $350 for 40 MPa strength. The cost of concrete varies by location, the type of concrete you choose, and any extras or admixtures that are required. If your project is big or if you order concrete on a frequent basis, you may receive a price cut.
Why do concreters charge per m3 of concrete? This is because before it sets and hardens, concrete is essentially a liquid (albeit a vicious one). Working out the m3 of concrete is the same as determining its volume.
To find out how much concrete is required, you may measure the height x length x width of the slab for a footpath, driveway, or other structure. This may tell you how much concrete is needed in cubic meters, with 1 cubic meter equalling 1,000 litres.
Ready-Mix Concrete Cost per Cubic Metre
The price of concreting for your project may be determined by a number of variables, including:
- The overall size of your project, in square meters, m3 or cubic meters, may be determined by the amount of material that you need for a particular task.
- How long does it take to dig and/or level your property?
- How much drainage is required?
- Ease of access to your site
- The price of pre-mixed concrete from your supplier
- The sort of concrete you select or need for your project (a shed with a concrete driveway may cost more than a walkway or slab)
- If your concrete is old or damaged, you may need to budget for its removal.
Concrete is such an adaptable building material that it may be utilized in both the interior and outside of your property. Some of the most well-known concrete projects are:
- Swimming pools
- Driveways
- Footpaths
- Footings
- Building foundations
- Walls
- Slabs
- Kitchen benchtops
If you’re looking for a unique way to decorate your home or business, consider using polished concrete. Although polished concrete is more expensive per square metre than ordinary concrete, it may be an excellent alternative if you want to add something unique and eye-catching.
Concrete Pricing When Pouring Concrete
If you’re a homeowner, keep in mind not only the cost of the raw material itself but also labour expenses. When calculating their labour cost, concreters may charge a percentage of the materials or a per-hour fee. These labour costs usually range from $60 to $80 per hour, depending on the job.
If you want special characteristics like exposed aggregates or colour mixes, additional expenses may be incurred depending on your specific needs. Professionals can provide you with quotations for these niche goods through any platform at any given time.
Concrete pump installation and repair costs between $550 and $700 per pour, depending on the type of pump. While this may appear to be a significant expenditure, it can save time by avoiding property damage caused by heavy concrete trucks rolling across them.
Factors that Increase Concrete Pricing
When putting a price tag on concrete, there are several variables to consider. To guarantee that your costing meets your budget, you may first understand what these variables are.
- Volume. You may know how much concrete you’ll need. Concrete is measured in cubic meters and is priced accordingly, depending on the quantity required.
- Levelling. Though you believe you’ll just need a small quantity for levelling an uneven surface, don’t count on it. Because these tasks frequently need more than was first anticipated, be sure to budget for more.
- Finishing. A concrete project can be finished in a variety of ways, from a smooth surface to an exposed aggregate finish. Different finishes need distinct amounts of concrete, which may influence your entire budget.
How to Save Money on Ready-Mix Concrete
Ready-mix concrete is a great choice for small projects, such as planter boxes, footpaths and even small patios. While this type of concrete might be more expensive to purchase, it’s often much cheaper than other forms. Here are some important money-saving tips:
Make sure the volume is correct: The last thing you want is to have a large quantity of concrete left over at the conclusion of your project. Make sure you get it correct, if more is required, you can always order more, but you cannot return any unused concrete. Taking off extra concrete costs money.
Consistency: It’s critical that all concrete is of the appropriate consistency. The established processes guarantee that each delivery is of the same quality as the previous ones.
Buy local: To save money on transportation, use a local supplier.
Waiting Time: The cost of waiting is $1.20 per minute on small truckloads and $2.50 per minute on huge truckloads after 30 minutes, with a maximum charge of $100 for each delay. This could be taken into account while preparing so that your costs stay within your budget.
