Ready mix concrete vs site mixing: the real cost comparison
Per cubic metre, RMC usually looks more expensive. Per finished slab, it usually is not.
Last updated: 2 June 2026 · 6 min read
What site mixing really costs
Mixer hire, labour, material handling, storage space, aggregate and cement wastage, inconsistent strength between batches, and the extra days. Add them up honestly and the gap narrows or reverses on anything above a small pour.
What RMC buys you
Weigh-batched proportioning, a designed mix, admixtures, consistent slump and documented cube results. Above M25 that consistency is not a luxury — a nominal site mix cannot reliably deliver those grades.
Plan the pour before you book
Work out access for the transit mixer, the pump position and reach, the pour sequence, and who is placing and compacting. Mixers waiting on site accumulate demurrage, and concrete waiting past its initial set is waste.
Quality control on delivery
Check the delivery challan for grade, batch time and quantity. Do a slump test at the site, not the plant. Cast cubes for 7-day and 28-day testing on every significant pour. Never allow water to be added at site.
The takeaway
For anything above a small slab, RMC usually wins on total cost — provided you plan access, pump and pour sequence in advance.
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