Question 1

How much does concrete cost per m³ in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Ready-mix concrete in the UK typically costs £90–£140 per m³ for standard C25 or C30 mix, depending on your region, the volume ordered, and current aggregate and cement prices. Small loads (under 4 m³) attract a short-load surcharge that can add £100–£200 to the delivery cost. In more rural areas or Scotland, prices at the higher end of this range are common due to transport costs. Laying and finishing costs (pump hire, power float, labour) typically add a further £30–£70 per m³ on top. Always get at least three quotes from local ready-mix suppliers as prices vary significantly.

Question 2

How thick should farm yard concrete be?

Accepted Answer

For a working farm yard that sees regular tractor and trailer traffic, the minimum recommended concrete thickness is 150 mm (6 inches). For heavy machinery, silage clamps, or areas used by HGVs, 200 mm is the recommended minimum. Footpaths and lightly loaded areas can use 100 mm. The concrete should be reinforced with A142 or A193 steel mesh, and laid on a compacted sub-base of at least 150 mm of MOT Type 1 crushed limestone or granite. For silage clamp floors, use acid-resistant concrete (SR sulphate-resistant) and check drainage requirements — silage effluent must not enter watercourses.

Question 3

Do I need reinforcement mesh in a concrete slab?

Accepted Answer

For most farm infrastructure — yards, access roads, silage clamps, and workshop floors — yes. Steel reinforcement mesh significantly reduces cracking and increases the slab's ability to distribute load. For a farm yard, A142 mesh (6 mm wire at 200 mm centres) is the standard specification. For heavy-duty applications or long slabs, A193 (7 mm wire at 200 mm centres) gives additional strength. The mesh should be positioned in the lower third of the slab depth using plastic spacer chairs, leaving approximately 40 mm of concrete cover below the mesh. Without mesh, farm slabs typically crack within a few years under regular tractor loading.

Question 4

What concrete mix specification should I use for a farm yard?

Accepted Answer

For most farm yard applications, specify C25/30 concrete to BS 8500 with a slump of S3 or S4 (80–180 mm) for ease of placing and compacting around mesh. For silage clamp floors and areas exposed to slurry, specify SR (sulphate-resistant) concrete, often designated RC30/37 or DC2 mix. For floors inside buildings, a power-float finish requires a C30 mix minimum and good workability. Always tell your ready-mix supplier the intended use — they can recommend the correct specification and ensure the mix is designed for your site conditions and distance from the plant.

Question 5

How do I calculate how much concrete I need?

Accepted Answer

Volume of concrete = length × width × depth (all in metres). For example, a 20 m × 10 m yard at 150 mm depth = 20 × 10 × 0.15 = 30 m³. Always add 5–10% to this figure for overpour and waste at edges and around obstacles. For ready-mix orders, round up to the nearest 0.5 m³ — short loads are expensive, so it is better to order slightly too much than too little. This calculator performs this calculation automatically and generates a PDF estimate you can take to your supplier for a quote.

Question 6

How long does concrete take to cure and when can I drive on it?

Accepted Answer

Concrete reaches approximately 70% of its design strength within 7 days of pouring, and full design strength at 28 days. In warm weather (above 15°C), foot traffic is typically safe after 24–48 hours. Light vehicle traffic (cars, small machinery) after 7 days. Full tractor and heavy agricultural vehicle use should be delayed until 28 days wherever possible — particularly for heavier loads like fully laden silage trailers. In cold weather (below 5°C), curing slows significantly and the concrete must be protected from frost. Do not allow freezing during the first 7 days as it permanently damages the hydration process.

Question 7

What sub-base do I need under a farm concrete slab?

Accepted Answer

For a farm yard or access road, the sub-base should be a minimum of 150 mm of compacted MOT Type 1 crushed limestone or granite (also called 6F2 granular sub-base). On soft or clay ground, 200–300 mm of sub-base may be needed, and a geotextile membrane between the ground and sub-base helps prevent the aggregate sinking into the subsoil over time. The sub-base must be well compacted using a plate compactor or roller before the concrete is poured — inadequate compaction is one of the most common causes of slab failure and premature cracking. Where ground conditions are very poor, a structural engineer may need to specify a different foundation approach.

Question 8

Can I mix my own concrete instead of using ready-mix?

Accepted Answer

For small jobs (under 1 m³), site-mixed bagged concrete or a volumetric mixer can be cost-effective. A standard farm mix for structural use is 1 part cement : 2 parts sharp sand : 4 parts 20 mm aggregate by volume, giving approximately a C20 equivalent. Use a drum mixer for quantities over 100 litres. For anything over 2–3 m³, ready-mix is almost always cheaper, faster, and produces a more consistent result than site mixing. Ready-mix also provides a delivery note with the mix specification, which is important for building control approval or farm assurance records.

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