Concrete is a known quantity
to engineers and builders. Construction techniques have been refined over time
and are well understood, unlike new materials or systems which could compromise
health and safety. The structural integrity of concrete provides added
protection against earthquakes and hurricanes. Thanks to solid construction and
the benefits of thermal mass, concrete provides superior protection against the
effects of outdoor temperature swings, which means a draft-free interior
environment and consistent room temperatures, year-round. There are quite a few
factors in to the final cost of concrete, which is why it can be tough to
predict exactly how much your required mix might be. If you only look at the concrete prices and forget the credibility, then you may soon be in trouble during
the build phase of the construction. Always ask people around you where they
got their supplies from and always do a thorough review check of the supplier’s
reputation before setting a deal. If the quality of the concrete mix is
cheap and not disclosed to you from the start, the construction phase of your
project will fall into many setbacks and delays. Once you’re sure that there
are no negative reviews against the supplier, then you should go for it. Final concrete prices will be determined by the amount of concrete you require, not just its
strength but the quantity and the mix. You can also go for different
aggregates, or to reduce the surface area as much as possible without
compromising too heavily on strength. This can help reduce the price of your
mix but you will need careful planning and coordination with your supplier to
ensure the final mix meets your needs.
Concrete prices play with
suppliers quoting vastly different prices for the same product and these are
the things that determine what a concrete supplier will charge you:
- Distance from the supplier
- Quantity of concrete you're ordering
- Early mornings are the busiest for suppliers, some will charge a discount if you pour in the afternoon
- Some plants are always more expensive because they have to haul cement a long distance
Your quoted price of your
mix is typically calculated by volume where it is displayed in ‘per cubic meter’.
Factors such as competition and distance from quarry will already be taken into
account for the concrete prices. However, the delivery time, strength of the
concrete and pump hire will be factored in during the subsequent ordering
stage. If you need any additives in your concrete mix, then it will also have
an effect on concrete prices. Stronger mixes are typically more expensive
especially if you include any additives to increase that strength. Type of
concrete is also important; ready-mix concrete has a more predictable pricing
structure than volumetric concrete, for instance. If your project can be served
proficiently with a strong ready-mix concrete delivery, then this could save
you money. A thorough discussion with your concrete supplier is the best way to
get an idea of your expenses and the fix concrete prices.
