Wooding to plan a construction project in London and not knowing what ready mix concrete will cost in 2026? You’re not alone. Ready mix concrete prices are one of the most important aspects to understand in proper budgeting whether you are an experienced contractor or a homeowner who is doing some DIY driveway. RMS Concrete is the perfect company to offer full disclosure on the current pricing, how your prices will be influenced, and how you can receive maximum value in your project since we are a reliable concrete supplier to London professionals.
Here, we will be de-juridizing precise pricing of various grades of concrete, unveil the subtle expenses that many suppliers do not include during the initial payment, and provide a few tips as an insider to enable informed decision-making. Since you are interested in the price you will be paying to get ready mix concrete London deliveries in the year 2026, let us explore this.
How Much Does Ready Mix Concrete Cost in London Right Now?
The price of ready mix concrete in London is comparatively stable as of February 2026 although the market is a challenge. The UK Mineral Products Association (MPA) reported that in Q1 2026 the construction industry had a large decline in sales of domestic ready mix concrete, quarter-on-quarter, by 12 percent, the lowest in 62 years. This however has not resulted in radical price cuts because of still existing supply chain stresses especially record low cement manufacture caused by high electricity prices.
This is an approximation of the cost of ready mix concrete in London per cubic metre (m³ ) without VAT and delivery:
Pricing in Standard Grade (February 2026):
- C10-C15 (Light foundations, blinding): £100-118 per m³.
- C20 (Foundations, footings, domestic floors): £100-135 per m³.
- C25 (Driveways, patios, light structural): £110-139 per m³.
- C30 (Structural beams, slabs):£120-142 /m³.
- C35 (Commercial floors, heavy domestic): 124-145 per m³.
- C40 (Heavy-duty industrial): £130-£150 per m³
- Specialized blends (Waterproof, self-compacting): £165-189/m³.
It should be mentioned that London prices are about 15-25% higher as compared to average UK prices (£105-£125 per m³ standard grades such as C25/30). This is a high premium that takes into consideration the special difficulties of working in the capital that we will discuss next.
Key Factors That Impact Your Ready Mix Concrete Price
1. Delivery Location and Distance
The place of your project has a major implication on your ultimate ready mix concrete price. The high rates in central London (Westminster, Camden, Tower Hamlets) are a result of:
- Congestion fees: Zone 1 £15/day.
- ULEZ charges: £12.50 per day on the majority of vehicles.
- Accessibility control: Street closures, parking, order delivery period.
- Traffic congestions: Time wastage through long delivery times is costly.
Ready mix concrete Romford or central London delivery, delivery fees will be between 50-200 depending on distance to the batching plant. The outer boroughs such as Brentwood, Dartford, and Bromley generally incur reduced delivery costs yet premiums charged in London are at a higher rate than the national average.
2. Concrete Grade and Strength
Higher strength grades require more cement content, directly impacting cost. A C40 industrial-grade mix costs approximately 30% more than basic C20 concrete. Always match your concrete grade to your project requirements—over-specifying wastes money, while under-specifying compromises structural integrity.
3. Order Volume
Ready mix concrete suppliers have minimum orders of 2-6 m³ and total minimum charges of between £500 and 625. Nevertheless, there can be volume discounts with bulk purchases:
- Small loads (2-4 m³): Full base price or small load surcharge
- Medium orders (5-10 m³): possible 5-8 percent discount.
- Orders (20 or more m³): Generate a 10-15 percent discount.
Mini mix services should be taken into consideration for extremely tiny projects (less than 2 m³), even if the prices per m³ will be slightly higher.
4. Mixed and Special Requirements.
The basic mixes are the standard mixes, and the extra costs are the specialized mixes:
- Waterproofing additives: +£20-£50 per m³.
- Fiber reinforcement: +£15-£30 per m³
- Fast-setting concrete: +£25-£40 per m³
- Colored concrete: +£30-£60 per m³
5. Seasonal Demand and Timing
Construction seasonality has an impact on prices and availability:
- Peak season (April-September): Possible 5-10% price growth, increased lead time.
- Low (November-February): Lower rates, higher availability.
- Next day orders: Premium fee of 50-100.
- Weekend/holiday deliveries: Upgrade extra fee of £75-150.
6. Pump Hire Requirements
Concrete pumping is necessitated in projects that are hard to access. RMS Concrete offers:
- Line pumps: 275-450 a day (applicable to smaller projects, earth level application)
- Boom pumps: £500- £800 per day (best in upper stories, long distance, limited access)
Being a reliable and tangible supplier of London contractors, we assist you in identifying the most economical pumping solution that is dependent on the conditions of the site.
Beyond the Base Price: Additional Concrete Delivery Costs
Understanding total project costs means accounting for potential extras:
- Waiting time charges: £80-120 per hour if your site isn’t ready when delivery arrives
- Congestion charge pass-through: £15 for central London deliveries
- Small load surcharges: £50-100 for orders below minimum volume
- Environmental levies: Some suppliers add sustainability charges
- Saturday delivery premiums: Typically +20-30% on base rates
Pro tip: Total delivered and pumped ready mix concrete prices can reach £190-£205 per m³ when including all these factors. Always request an quote to avoid surprises.
How to Get the Best Ready Mix Concrete Price in London
- Calculate accurately – Measure twice, order once. Online calculators or professional estimates prevent costly over-ordering
- Book in advance – Schedule 5-7 days ahead for better rates and guaranteed delivery slots
- Prepare your site – Have access clear, formwork ready, and labor standing by to avoid waiting charges
- Get multiple quotes – Compare at least three ready mix concrete suppliers, but prioritize quality and reliability over the lowest price
- Consider timing – Mid-week, off-peak season deliveries often cost less
- Ask about bundling – Concrete + pump hire packages may offer savings
- Build relationships – Regular customers of concrete delivery near me suppliers often receive preferential pricing
What to Expect in 2026: Market Outlook
The forecasts on the industry project that the construction output will be 4.6 percent in 2026, which may boost the demand and stable the prices. Some factors however may affect the prices of ready mix concrete across the year:
- Import dependence: The domestic cement production is already the lowest in history, hence the country is highly dependent on imports, which may cause a surge in costs in case the prices of cement worldwide increase.
- Infrastructure projects: The government could restrict supply through any new infrastructural projects.
- Energy expenses: Cement production is power intensive, and a change in the cost of electricity will have a direct effect on the prices.
- Sustainability policies:New environmental policies can demand more expensive low-carbon blends.
The subdued demand now would provide a chance of competitive pricing in early 2026 thus timely to negotiate rates of major projects.
Ready mix concrete prices: making smart decisions.
Knowing the ready mix concrete London prices will enable you to make budgets that are not costly due to costly surprises. Although the range of prices varies between £100-189 per m³, including grade and specifications, keep in mind that the final project costs will be spearheaded by delivery (50-200), possible pump hire (275-800) and other charges.
Cooperation with a trusted ready mix concrete distributor will guarantee the access to the quality materials, stable delivery timeframes and clear prices without some additional costs. Never be tempted by low-ball quotes because poor quality concrete undermines the concept of structural integrity and is much more expensive when it comes to making repairs in the future.
Need a proper quote on your London project? RMS Concrete offers competitive prices plus no hidden charges in London, Essex, Kent, etc. We have a highly qualified staff and up to date equipment, who will provide you with the best technical support, timely delivery and modern equipment to rely on. Give us a call and receive your free, detailed quote today or pay us a visit in order to hear more about our concrete delivery near me services.
References:
- UK Mineral Products Association (MPA) Q1 2026 Ready Mix Concrete Sales Report.
- Pricing data in the London-based suppliers (EasyMix, Pro-Mix, Mister Concrete) – February 2026.
- Construction output outlook UK Government Construction statistics, 2026.