# Concrete Cost Calculator

Material, pumping and the all-in rate per cubic metre.

- Page: https://jianzhujisuan.com/en/concrete-cost
- Category: Costing (https://jianzhujisuan.com/en/c/costing)
- Chinese version: https://jianzhujisuan.com/zh/concrete-cost.md
- Data checked: 2026-10-25

## Quick result

With the default inputs (Concrete volume 100 m³, Grade C30 (490), Waste 2%, Pumping charge 25 CNY/m³, Haul surcharge 0 CNY/m³): **Total concrete cost 52530 CNY**

## Inputs

| Parameter | Type | Default | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete volume | number | 100 | m³ |  |
| Grade | select | C30 (490) | — |  |
| Waste | number | 2 | % | 1.5-2% pumped, 3% for small pours |
| Pumping charge | number | 25 | CNY/m³ |  |
| Haul surcharge | number | 0 | CNY/m³ | 1-2 per km beyond 15 km |

## Formula

- **Volume with waste**: volume × (1 + waste%)
- **Material**: volume × rate
- **Pumping**: volume × pumping charge
- **Total**: material + pumping + haul
- **All-in rate**: total ÷ volume
- **Trucks**: ceil(volume ÷ 8)

## Worked example

100 m³ of C30 at 2% waste and 25 per m³ pumping: 102.00 m³, 49980 in material, 2550 pumping, 52530 in total — 515 per m³ and 13 truck loads.

## Questions

### Why is the settled volume more than the drawings?

Two reasons: waste from pump residue, grout loss through form joints and over-excavation; and dimensional tolerance, since as-built sections run slightly large. The trade settles on the plant's delivery tickets, which always exceed drawing quantities. Control it by calculating each pour and ordering the last truck to the remainder.

### Boom pump or stationary pump?

A boom is flexible, reaches 30-40 m without pipework and costs 8-12 more per m³ — good for scattered and small pours. A stationary pump needs pipe, cleaning and space but costs less per cube, wins on large volumes and lifts higher. Beyond about 500 m³, or above 100 m of lift, a stationary pump with a placing boom is the cheaper combination.

### Why the surcharge on small loads?

Because the plant's fixed costs do not shrink: an 8 m³ truck, pump mobilisation, sampling and washout cost the same and get spread over half the volume. Loads under 20 m³ usually carry a 200-500 charge and some plants refuse under 10. Batch odd pours together, or mix on site.

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Generated by BuildCalc. All calculations run in your browser; no data is uploaded. Formulas follow national standards and common trade practice; local codes govern.