Most concrete jobs around the home are small: a shed base, a few fence posts, a washing-line spur, a step, a small patio. The trouble is that traditional ready-mix suppliers are built for 6–8m³ loads and punish anything less. Volumetric delivery flips that on its head.
Why small loads and volumetric are the perfect match
- No part-load fees — the truck carries raw materials, so there is no “empty drum” to pay for
- Exact quantities — need 1.3m³? You get 1.3m³. Not 1m³ (too little) or 2m³ (paying for waste)
- Fresher mix — mixed at your kerb, not 45 minutes ago at a plant
- Same truck can do more — if you find you need an extra 0.2m³, we just mix it on the spot
Typical small jobs and volumes
- Shed base (8×6ft, 100mm): 0.45m³ — see the shed base guide
- 10 fence posts: ~0.3m³ — see fence post concrete
- Garden path (10m × 0.9m, 100mm): 0.9m³
- Small extension footing (6m run): 1.8–2.5m³
- Single garage base: ~3m³ — see the garage base guide
Not sure of your volume? The concrete calculator does the maths for slabs, footings and post holes in seconds.
Bags vs delivered: the honest maths
Hand-mixing 1m³ means lifting, mixing and barrowing about 2.4 tonnes of material — 56 bags — and the strength varies with every batch. Delivered volumetric concrete arrives at a consistent, certified grade and the whole pour is done in minutes. For anything over about 0.25m³, delivery wins on cost and quality.
Same-day small loads across West Yorkshire
We run small loads daily across Leeds, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax and everywhere in between. Get an instant price on the quote page or call 01924 910 129 — if a truck is nearby we can often pour the same afternoon.
FAQs
Can I order just 1 cubic metre of concrete?+
Yes. Volumetric trucks mix on-site, so small quantities are no problem — we deliver from under 1m³ upwards. Traditional ready-mix plants often refuse loads under 4m³ or charge hefty part-load fees.
What is a part-load fee?+
Ready-mix suppliers charge £25–£40 per empty cubic metre when a drum truck leaves the plant less than full — so 2m³ in an 8m³ truck can add £150–£240 to your bill. Volumetric delivery has no such fee because nothing is batched until the truck arrives.
Is small-load concrete more expensive per m³?+
There is usually a modest minimum charge to cover the delivery journey, but the total is almost always far cheaper than ready-mix part-load fees or the labour of hand-mixing 40+ bags.
How many bags of concrete equal 1 cubic metre?+
Around 56 × 25kg bags of ready-to-use concrete — roughly £280–£340 in bags plus hours of mixing. One delivered cubic metre costs £125 (premium C35 mix) and arrives ready to place.