Concrete Calculators Nottingham

Ready-Mix Concrete Prices in Nottingham — 2026 Complete Guide

Nottingham is one of the East Midlands' most significant construction markets, and its ready-mix concrete supply network reflects both the scale of the city's ongoing development and the competitive nature of the East Midlands concrete market. In 2026, Nottingham and the wider Nottinghamshire area are served by a well-distributed network of batching plants — in and around the city and in the surrounding towns of Long Eaton, Beeston, Arnold, Carlton, Hucknall, Kirkby in Ashfield, and the Derbyshire border — that collectively provide reliable coverage at competitive pricing within the East Midlands band.

In May 2026, ready-mix concrete prices in Nottingham for standard GEN3 / C20/25 range from approximately £124–£146 per m³ for full transit mixer deliveries on trade account pricing — placing Nottingham comfortably within the East Midlands pricing band, close to the national average and approximately 12–18% below London prices for equivalent grades. The East Midlands benefits from relatively short supply chains to Derbyshire and Leicestershire limestone quarries — some of the most productive aggregate sources in England — which helps keep raw material costs and concrete prices competitive.

Nottingham's construction market in 2026 is driven by a diverse range of activity: the continued regeneration of the city centre and Waterside (along the Nottingham Canal and River Leen), significant student accommodation development serving the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, NHS Nottingham University Hospitals capital works including the new Children's Hospital development, a strong residential development pipeline across the city fringe and in the surrounding Nottinghamshire districts of Broxtowe, Gedling, and Rushcliffe, and growing commercial and logistics investment along the A453 / M1 Junction 24 corridor at Clifton and Ruddington.

Nottingham Concrete Prices by Grade — May 2026

GEN3 / C20/25: £124–£146 per m³. The standard specification for domestic strip foundations, floor slabs, and garage bases across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Nottingham's generally favourable ground conditions — predominantly Triassic Sherwood Sandstone in the west and Mercia Mudstone in the east — mean GEN3 is suitable for most standard residential foundation applications without sulfate concerns in non-industrial locations.

RC25 / C25/30: £134–£158 per m³. Used for reinforced slabs, ground beams, and foundations where slightly elevated sulfate concentrations or higher structural demands require upgrading. More commonly needed in Nottingham's former industrial areas — the Lace Market area, the Meadows, and parts of Bulwell — where made ground with modest chemical aggressivity can be encountered.

RC28 / C28/35: £142–£165 per m³. Specified for commercial construction, moderately aggressive ground on brownfield sites, and reinforced structural elements in Nottingham's ongoing city-centre and waterside regeneration. The Nottingham Waterside development, the old Boots Island site, and the former Raleigh bicycle works area at Lenton all fall into zones where site investigation may indicate AC-2 to AC-3 conditions requiring this grade.

RC30 / C30/37: £144–£172 per m³. Recommended for exposed driveways in Nottingham's climate, commercial floor slabs, car parks, and reinforced retaining walls. Nottingham benefits from a slightly drier climate than the western English cities, but winter frost is a regular feature and de-icing salt is widely used on Nottinghamshire's roads.

RC32 / C32/40 and above: £154–£186 per m³. High-strength structural concrete for Nottingham's commercial development pipeline, piled foundations on made ground or soft alluvial sites in the Trent valley, and any applications requiring the highest durability in aggressive chemical or physical environments.

Nottingham Ground Conditions — Sherwood Sandstone, Mercia Mudstone, and the Trent Valley

Nottingham's geology has a direct and significant influence on foundation design and concrete specification across the city and surrounding area. The city spans a geological boundary between two quite different formations, and the presence of a major river valley adds a third distinct ground condition zone.

The western and northern suburbs — Sherwood Sandstone: Much of western and northern Nottingham — Wollaton, Beeston, Bramcote, Stapleford, Hucknall, Arnold, and Carlton — sits on the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone Formation, a well-cemented red sandstone of generally good to excellent bearing capacity. Where the sandstone is at shallow depth, it provides an outstanding foundation medium — firm, non-shrinkable, and chemically benign. In many parts of the western suburbs, the sandstone is overlain by relatively thin glacial or periglacial deposits, giving good bearing conditions at modest foundation depths of 600–800mm for standard domestic construction. This is probably the most straightforward foundation territory in the Nottingham area.

The eastern and southern districts — Mercia Mudstone: Across eastern Nottingham — Colwick, Carlton, Gedling, Radcliffe on Trent, Bingham, and the Rushcliffe corridor south of the Trent — the geology transitions to the Triassic Mercia Mudstone Group (formerly known as the Keuper Marl). This formation has two significant implications for concrete specification. First, the Mercia Mudstone is a relatively weak, compressible rock with variable bearing capacity — foundation depths of 900–1,200mm are more typical in areas where the mudstone is shallow and weathered. Second, and more importantly for concrete specification, Mercia Mudstone frequently contains elevated sulfate concentrations — both in the mudstone itself and in the groundwater it hosts. Chemical testing of soil and groundwater for sulfate content (SO₄) is strongly recommended before specifying foundation concrete in the eastern Nottingham area. Where sulfate concentrations indicate AC-2 aggressivity class, FND2 (RC25 / C25/30) with SRPC or GGBS-blended cement is required. AC-3 conditions, while less common, do occur and require FND3 (RC28 / C28/35) with CEM III/A cement.

The Trent valley floor — alluvial deposits: The broad, flat flood plain of the River Trent runs across the south and east of Nottingham city. This zone — covering the Meadows, Wilford, West Bridgford (river frontage), Colwick, Burton Joyce, Radcliffe on Trent, and the Trent valley corridor eastward toward Newark — contains river terrace gravels and alluvial silt and clay deposits of variable depth and bearing capacity. The Trent gravels are generally good bearing material at modest depth; the alluvial silts and clays that overlie them in some locations are less reliable. The flood plain also means elevated groundwater levels in much of this zone, which can affect both foundation construction logistics (pumping required) and sulfate/chloride assessment of the groundwater chemistry. Nottingham's flood risk management is well-developed — the Victoria Embankment flood defences and the upstream reservoirs provide good protection — but the alluvial nature of the flood plain must be assessed in any foundation design in the Trent valley area.

The Nottingham Coal Measures — A Critical Construction Consideration

North and west of Nottingham city, the geology transitions into the Nottinghamshire Coalfield — part of the Midland Coalfield belt that runs from Derbyshire through Nottinghamshire into Yorkshire. The area around Hucknall, Kirkby in Ashfield, Eastwood, Greasley, Awsworth, Kimberley, and into Derbyshire at Ilkeston and Heanor overlies Coal Measures with a history of extensive underground and surface mining that extended well into the late 20th century (the last Nottinghamshire collieries closed in the mid-1990s).

The Coal Authority Ground Stability interactive map must be checked for any construction site in the coal measures zone — recorded mine entries, shallow workings at depths under 30m, and areas of potential subsidence are all features of this zone that can significantly affect foundation design. Building control in the relevant Broxtowe, Gedling, or Nottinghamshire district council may require a Coal Authority risk assessment as part of the building regulations approval process for sites in the Development High Risk zone. Where shallow workings are confirmed, foundation design must be adapted to bridge or avoid them — potentially requiring raft foundations, reinforced wide strip foundations, or pile foundations through the worked zone.

Nottingham Building Control — 2026

Building control in Nottingham city is administered by Nottingham City Council Building Control. The surrounding district and borough councils — Broxtowe Borough Council, Gedling Borough Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, and Ashfield District Council — each operate their own building control services for projects in their areas. As in all of England and Wales, the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended) apply, with the same fundamental requirement that foundation trenches must be inspected by building control before concrete is poured.

Nottingham City Council Building Control handles a high volume of residential extension and commercial development applications annually, particularly given the city's active inner-city regeneration programme. The inspection team has good knowledge of Nottingham's varied ground conditions and is experienced in dealing with the range of issues that arise on the city's brownfield redevelopment sites. Always notify building control well in advance of your planned foundation pour and allow at least 24–48 hours for inspection booking.

Limestone Aggregate — East Midlands Concrete Characteristics

One of the defining characteristics of concrete produced in the East Midlands, including the Nottingham area, is the predominant use of Carboniferous limestone aggregate from the major quarries of Derbyshire and Leicestershire — the Peak District limestone belt and the Charnwood Forest area respectively. These quarries — including Dove Holes, Tunstead (one of the largest limestone quarries in Europe), Bardon Hill, and Cliffe Hill — supply the vast majority of coarse aggregate to East Midlands ready-mix plants.

Limestone aggregate produces concrete with good workability, moderate density (~2,340–2,380 kg/m³ — slightly lower than granite-aggregate concrete of the type common in Scotland), and good early strength development. It is very well suited to the standard GEN and RC grade range used for domestic and commercial construction in Nottinghamshire, and its wide availability at competitive cost from nearby major quarries is a key factor in maintaining East Midlands concrete prices at or below the national average.

Ready-Mix Concrete Suppliers in Nottingham — 2026

Hanson (SigmaRoc): One of the strongest ready-mix presences in the East Midlands, with significant plant coverage serving Nottingham and the surrounding area. Extensive product range and strong technical expertise. Hanson's parent company SigmaRoc is one of the UK's largest aggregates groups, giving the Nottingham operation excellent access to East Midlands limestone aggregate at competitive raw material cost.

Tarmac: Major national producer with significant East Midlands operations. Strong coverage across Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and the A1/M1 corridor. Reliable supply for the full GEN and RC grade range, with good technical support for the commercial development sector.

Aggregate Industries (Holcim UK): Well-represented in the East Midlands with plant coverage across the region. Particularly strong in sustainable concrete options, important for Nottingham's growing BREEAM-rated and net zero commercial development sector.

Breedon Group: Growing presence in the East Midlands. Competitive pricing on standard grades, with a strong logistics network across Nottinghamshire and the surrounding counties.

Independent East Midlands operators: Several independent batching plants serve the Nottinghamshire market — particularly for the domestic and smaller commercial sector — providing strong pricing competition for the national producers. Always request quotes from local independents alongside the nationals for best value on standard residential grades.

Mini-Mix and Small-Volume Concrete in Nottingham — 2026

Nottingham's housing stock — which includes a significant proportion of Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses in areas such as Lenton, Forest Fields, Hyson Green, Basford, Bulwell, Sneinton, St Ann's, and the Meadows — presents the familiar back-yard access challenge that applies across England's northern and midland terraced housing belts. Many Nottingham terrace properties have rear yards accessible only through shared jitties (the Nottingham/Midlands dialect term for a narrow passage between terraced houses) or entries at the end of a terrace row. Jitty widths in Nottingham's Victorian terraces range from approximately 1.0m to 2.2m — too restricted for standard transit mixers (2.5m wide) and frequently too narrow even for mini-mix trucks.

In 2026, mini-mix GEN3 / C20/25 costs approximately £186–£230 per m³ in Nottingham — a premium of approximately £58–£82/m³ over transit mixer pricing. For volumes between 2m³ and 5m³, volumetric concrete remains the best value for money for restricted-access Nottingham sites, combining a smaller vehicle profile with payment only for the exact volume used. Several volumetric operators serve the Nottingham and East Midlands area.

Ordering Ready-Mix Concrete in Nottingham — Practical 2026 Guide

Nottingham's road infrastructure — with the A52 Clifton Boulevard, A60, A609, and the outer ring road (A6514) providing good radial access from the M1 at Junctions 24, 25, and 26 — generally makes concrete delivery logistics more straightforward than in some other English cities. The city centre's tram network (Nottingham Express Transit — NET) runs on several key routes including the ring road and Hucknall corridor, and tram tracks must be navigated carefully for deliveries to sites along these routes.

Nottingham's most significant access restriction is the River Trent crossing — there are limited bridge points in the southern part of the city, and the bridges at Trent Bridge, Lady Bay, and Wilford are the main crossing points for vehicles from the south. Sites south of the Trent (West Bridgford, Wilford, Clifton, Ruddington, Bingham, Radcliffe on Trent) rely on these bridges, and any delays on the A52 or A606 Trent crossings can affect delivery timing for south Nottinghamshire sites. Always advise your supplier of your specific delivery location relative to the Trent — south-of-river sites may require earlier scheduling to account for traffic on the limited bridge points during morning peak hours.

Book deliveries in advance: 48–72 hours ahead for standard GEN3 and RC25 mixes. For specialist grades (RC30+, FND3, and mixes requiring confirmed sulfate-resisting cement for Mercia Mudstone sites), allow 4–5 working days. Nottingham's construction market is active year-round and peaks in spring and summer — morning slots fill quickly from March through October.

Ready-Mix Concrete Prices in Nottingham — Grade & Delivery Comparison 2026

Concrete Grade	BS 8500 Class	Transit Mixer per m³	Mini-Mix per m³	Volumetric per m³	Short Load Fee	Typical Nottingham Application
GEN2 / C16/20	GEN2	£110–£134	£168–£202	£138–£165	£48–£112	Blinding, oversite, non-structural fill
GEN3 / C20/25	GEN3	£124–£146	£186–£230	£154–£184	£50–£116	Strip foundations, floor slabs, garage bases — most common in Nottingham
RC25 / C25/30	RC25 / FND2	£134–£158	£198–£240	£164–£196	£52–£120	RC slabs, Mercia Mudstone AC-2 eastern suburbs, brownfield sites
RC28 / C28/35	RC28 / FND3	£142–£165	£208–£252	£172–£208	£54–£122	Moderate aggressive ground, Waterside regeneration, Trent valley sites
RC30 / C30/37	RC30	£144–£172	£215–£258	£178–£215	£56–£126	Exposed driveways, commercial slabs, car parks
RC32 / C32/40	RC32 / FND4	£154–£186	£228–£275	£188–£228	£58–£132	Multi-storey commercial, piled foundations, highly aggressive sites
RC35 / C35/45	RC35	£165–£200	£245–£292	£202–£245	£62–£145	High-rise columns, bridge decks, major infrastructure

Prices are indicative May 2026 trade account estimates for deliveries within approximately 20–25km of Nottingham city centre. Broxtowe, Gedling, Rushcliffe, and most of Nottinghamshire generally within standard radius. Cash prices typically 12–18% higher. Always obtain at least two quotes.

Typical Concrete Project Costs in Nottingham — 2026 Examples

Project Type	Typical Size	Grade	Volume	Concrete Cost (Nottingham 2026)	Notes
Victorian terrace rear extension — Lenton / Sneinton	9m run × 600mm × 250mm	GEN3	~1.5 m³	£188–£220	Mini-mix or volumetric — jitty access typical in Nottingham terraces
Detached garage base	6.0m × 3.5m × 100mm	GEN3	~2.3 m³	£287–£336	Mini-mix or volumetric for this volume
Domestic driveway — Wollaton / West Bridgford	5.5m × 3.5m × 100mm	RC30	~2.1 m³	£305–£365	RC30 recommended for Nottingham's winter frost and de-icing salt
Semi-detached house foundation — west Nottingham (Sandstone)	36m run × 600mm × 300mm	GEN3	~7.1 m³	£880–£1,037	Sherwood Sandstone good bearing — GEN3 typically adequate
House foundation — east Nottingham (Mercia Mudstone)	40m run × 600mm × 300mm	RC25	~7.9 m³	£1,059–£1,248	Mercia Mudstone — sulfate testing essential; FND2 / RC25 likely needed
Ground floor oversite slab	80m² × 100mm	GEN3	~8.8 m³	£1,091–£1,285	Oversite under beam and block; DPM required
Trent valley commercial slab	200m² × 150mm	RC28	~33 m³	£4,686–£5,445	Alluvial ground — SI and sulfate test required; elevated groundwater likely
Coal area retaining wall — Hucknall	8m × 1.2m × 250mm	RC28	~2.64 m³	£375–£436	Check Coal Authority map; structural engineer required; cube testing recommended

Concrete costs only. Add 10% wastage. Nottingham 2026 pricing on indicative trade account rates. Mini-mix surcharge applies for transit mixer orders under 6m³.

Nottingham Ground Conditions & Concrete Specification — Zone Guide 2026

Area / Zone	Geology	Foundation Depth (domestic)	Typical Concrete Grade	Key Risks / Notes
Western suburbs (Wollaton, Beeston, Bramcote, Stapleford)	Sherwood Sandstone — thin glacial cover	600–800mm	GEN3	Excellent bearing; non-aggressive. Best foundation conditions in the Nottingham area.
Northern suburbs (Hucknall, Arnold, Carlton, Daybrook)	Sherwood Sandstone / Coal Measures transition; boulder clay	750–1,000mm	GEN3 (check Coal Authority for Hucknall / Kirkby)	Coal mining zone north of Hucknall — Coal Authority map essential for Hucknall, Kirkby in Ashfield, Eastwood sites.
City centre & inner districts (Lenton, Forest Fields, Hyson Green, Basford, Bulwell)	Made ground over Sherwood Sandstone / boulder clay	900–1,200mm	GEN3–RC25 (SI recommended)	Made ground from Victorian industrial use; sulfate testing advisable on any brownfield site in the inner ring.
Eastern suburbs (Colwick, Gedling, Carlton east, Radcliffe on Trent)	Mercia Mudstone with superficial cover	900–1,200mm	RC25 (FND2) — sulfate test required	Mercia Mudstone commonly has elevated sulfate. Chemical test of soil and groundwater essential. FND2 with SRPC or CEM II/B-S cement typically needed.
Trent valley / Meadows / West Bridgford river frontage	Alluvial silt and clay over river terrace gravel	1,000–1,500mm+	RC25–RC28 (SI essential)	Soft alluvium, elevated groundwater, flood plain setting. Bearing capacity variable. Sulfate testing required. May need piling on poorest sites.
Southern fringe (Clifton, Ruddington, Keyworth, Bingham)	Mercia Mudstone; some Trent gravels	900–1,100mm	GEN3–RC25 (sulfate dependent)	Mercia Mudstone sulfate risk continues south of Trent. Confirm AC class from investigation. Trent crossing adds delivery time from north.
Coalfield fringe (Hucknall north, Kirkby in Ashfield, Eastwood, Awsworth)	Boulder clay over Coal Measures	900–1,200mm	GEN3 (check Coal Authority)	Nottinghamshire Coalfield — Coal Authority Ground Stability map check essential. Mine workings may require specialist foundation design or treatment.

All values are indicative. Site investigation and sulfate testing required for any brownfield, Mercia Mudstone, alluvial, or coalfield site. Nottingham City Council or the relevant district building control must confirm foundation depth and grade before concrete is poured.

Concrete Prices Nottingham vs Other UK Cities — 2026 Comparison

Location	GEN3 / C20/25 per m³	RC30 / C30/37 per m³	RC35 / C35/45 per m³	Notes
Glasgow / Belfast / North East England	£118–£145	£138–£168	£158–£195	Cheapest in UK — 5–8% below Nottingham
Leeds / Sheffield	£120–£143	£140–£168	£160–£196	Marginally cheaper than Nottingham — Yorkshire market
Manchester	£122–£145	£142–£170	£162–£200	Virtually identical to Nottingham — North West pricing
Leicester	£124–£146	£144–£172	£164–£200	Essentially the same as Nottingham — same EM market
Nottingham (East Midlands)	£124–£146	£144–£172	£165–£200	East Midlands average — close to national average
Derby	£124–£147	£144–£173	£165–£202	Same East Midlands pricing band as Nottingham
Midlands national average	£125–£148	£142–£182	£165–£205	UK national reference — Nottingham right at average
Birmingham	£126–£150	£146–£178	£168–£208	Marginally above Nottingham — West Midlands demand
Cambridge	£128–£150	£150–£178	£170–£205	Slightly above Nottingham — East Anglia demand pressure
South East England	£138–£160	£158–£198	£190–£228	10–15% above Nottingham — SE premium
London	£145–£165	£175–£210	£200–£245	17–22% above Nottingham — ULEZ and congestion surcharges

Nottingham sits very close to the UK national average for concrete prices — cheaper than London and the South East, broadly the same as the East Midlands and northern cities, and more expensive than the cheapest northern markets. The East Midlands' strong limestone aggregate supply is the main price-competitive factor. Always obtain local quotes.

Essential Facts About Concrete in Nottingham — 2026

Frequently Asked Questions — Concrete in Nottingham 2026