Concrete Mixer Hire Cost Calculator

How the calculation works

How much does it cost to hire a concrete mixer in the UK?

Hiring a concrete mixer is one of the most common decisions for small building work, whether you are laying a patio base, pouring a garden wall footing or repairing a driveway. Buying a mixer rarely makes sense for a one-off job, so hire is usually the sensible route. The total cost depends on three things: the drum size, the number of days, and whether you collect the machine from the depot or ask for delivery to site.

How the cost is calculated

The calculator uses a single formula: C_total = (T_daily × D × F_reg) + C_transport. T_daily is the daily hire rate you enter from your quote, and D is the number of days you keep the mixer. Multiplying these two gives the hire subtotal, so if you keep the mixer for twice as long, that part of the total doubles. The regional factor F_reg multiplies the hire subtotal. It is higher for the major metropolitan areas and 1.0 for the rest of the country. Finally, C_transport is added in full. It is zero when you collect from the depot, and it depends on distance and drum capacity when you ask for delivery.

Which drum size should you choose?

Drum capacity is the most important choice, because it sets how much concrete you can make per batch and how long the job will take. Hire firms generally quote a rate for each drum size, and the rate rises with capacity.

100 to 120 litres suits small repairs, bedding tiles over small areas, filling cracks and mixing fixing mortars. A machine this size can often be carried in a van, although it is still heavy, so check that you can lift and move it safely.

150 litres is the most common choice for domestic use. It handles paving repairs, garden walls, steps and brickwork on a house.

250 litres is the most versatile size for small jobs. It handles foundations for garden walls and fences, garage floors and individual pier pours.

350 to 500 litres is for larger work, such as concrete slabs, pad foundations and reinforced concrete stairs. Some larger models need a three-phase supply rather than the standard single-phase domestic supply, which can be a limitation at a house without a suitable site supply.

Check the rated batch capacity in the machine's data sheet, because it sets how much each pour can hold.

Collection or delivery?

Collecting the mixer from the depot is the cheaper option, because there is no transport charge. The saving can be significant on a one or two day hire. Many hire firms have depots in larger towns, and collection and return from those depots avoids the delivery line altogether.

Delivery to site makes sense when access is difficult: a flat on an upper floor, a narrow terrace street with no room for a delivery vehicle, or a situation where you do not have a suitable vehicle to carry the machine safely. In those cases the delivery charge is worth paying. Check the return arrangements as well, because a late return can add a day to the hire.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most frequent error is underestimating the number of days. A footing for a short wall may look like a half-day job, but preparation, mixing, placing the concrete and cleaning the drum at the end usually take longer than expected. Returning the machine after the agreed time can also cost an extra day.

The second mistake is hiring the mixer before the materials are ready. Cement, sand, aggregate and water should all be on site before you collect. Each day spent waiting for materials is a day of hire you pay for and do not use.

The third is failing to inspect the machine at collection. Reputable hire firms record the condition of the equipment before handing it over. Check the drum ring and seals, the motor, the drum guard and the power lead. If you spot a worn drum ring or hear unusual noises from the motor, report it before you leave the depot.

The fourth is overfilling the drum beyond its rated batch capacity, which strains the motor and gives poor mixing.

When ready-mixed concrete is the better option

For larger volumes of concrete, the calculation changes. The hire cost of a mixer, multiplied by the days needed for a job of that size, can exceed the cost of ready-mixed concrete delivered by a ready-mix lorry. Ready-mixed concrete also removes the physical work of mixing by hand and gives a more consistent mix, which matters for structural pours. For these volumes, request a quote from a ready-mixed concrete supplier.

Compare two scenarios before you commit. The first is the mixer hire multiplied by the days, plus the cement, sand and aggregate bought separately. The second is the quoted price of ready-mixed concrete for the volume you need. Ask the supplier whether delivery is included, and whether a concrete pump is needed and what it would add if the lorry cannot reach the pour point. For work inside buildings, in narrow back gardens or on upper floors, a hired mixer is often the practical choice, whatever the volume.

Standards and safety

Concrete for structural work should be specified and made to a recognised standard. BS EN 206 sets out the requirements for the specification, production and conformity of concrete, and BS 8500 gives the complementary rules for use in the UK. For foundations and other structural elements, the mix and water content should follow the design, which is often set by a structural engineer.

Building Regulations in England and Wales, and Building Standards in Scotland, apply to many types of structural work, including new foundations and retaining walls. Some small landscaping jobs are exempt, but check with your local authority building control team before you start.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require work equipment to be suitable and kept in good repair. Keep the drum guard in place and never reach into a rotating drum. Cement is alkaline and can cause skin burns and irritation, so wear waterproof gloves and eye protection, as set out in the COSHH regulations and the guidance of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A mixer that runs from mains power needs a suitable 230 V single-phase supply, protected by a residual current device (RCD). BS 7671 sets the requirements for electrical installations, including temporary supplies on construction sites.

What this calculator does not include

The calculator gives a planning estimate. It does not include deposits, insurance excesses, cleaning charges or late return fees that a hire firm may apply, and it does not tell you whether VAT is included in a quote. Confirm the total in writing before you order, and check what the hire agreement says about the period, the return time and the condition of the machine.