Concrete slab cost in Ireland
A slab is priced per m² and a foundation per metre, for your job: the area and depth, the concrete grade, the steel, access for the truck and what's under the slab. Send the job and you get a written price.
The steel and the membranes have fixed prices. The concrete itself is quoted per load by the ready-mix producer, with the 5% concrete levy included and VAT at the reduced rate.
Free, no obligation. One local concrete contractor prices it, not five.
What the materials cost
| Material | Typical price | VAT |
|---|---|---|
| A393 mesh, 4.8 × 2.4 m sheet | €79.00 to €104.00 | Without and with VAT |
| 12 mm rebar, 6 m | €6.83 to €8.40 | Without and with VAT |
| Radon barrier, 4 × 20 m roll | €78.16 to €96.14 | Without and with VAT |
| DPM, 1200 gauge, 3.4 × 13 m (about 44.2 m²) | €31.71 to €39.00 | Without and with VAT |
| Cement, 25 kg | €9.65 |
These are prices for materials on a shelf, not a price for a slab. The labour, the dig, the hardcore, the concrete, the pump and the finish are all on top.
How much goes into a slab
| Slab | Concrete at 150 mm | Hardcore at 200 mm | A393 sheets, before laps | DPM rolls (44.2 m²) | Radon barrier rolls (80 m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 m² | 3.0 m³ | 4.0 m³ | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 40 m² | 6.0 m³ | 8.0 m³ | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 60 m² | 9.0 m³ | 12.0 m³ | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 100 m² | 15.0 m³ | 20.0 m³ | 9 | 3 | 2 |
The 40 m² slab is worth a second look: at 6 m³ it sits right on the line where a small-load charge usually stops applying (deliveries under 6 m³). A slightly smaller slab can cost nearly as much for the concrete as a slightly bigger one.
What the concrete quote includes
- The grade, aggregate and slump you order (see concrete grades).
- Delivery, with a minimum load charge under 6 m³.
- Waiting time: usually the first hour free for a full load, then about €15 per quarter hour.
- The Defective Concrete Products Levy: 5% of the value at first supply, worked out before VAT, since 1 September 2023 (Revenue).
- VAT: ready-to-pour concrete and concrete blocks are at the reduced rate; other building materials are at the standard rate (Revenue).
What decides your price
- The area and the thickness, which set the volume
- The ground: how much has to be dug out, and how much hardcore goes back
- The membranes, radon sump and insulation, and which side of the slab it goes
- Steel: none, mesh, or a designed reinforced slab
- Access: straight off the chute, or a pump
- The finish: tamped, floated or power floated
- The time of year: frost protection and slower curing in winter
Comparing two quotes
Ask both contractors to price the same thing: the same area and thickness, the same grade, the same hardcore depth, the same membranes and the same finish. Then the difference is the contractor, not the spec. See concrete floor slabs for the list.
Floors laid by the contractor who takes your call
Calls on this site ring JAM Floor Screeding: James Mulhall, based in Portlaoise, 25 years laying floors. Lines open Mon to Sat, 7am to 6pm. He pours concrete floors, slabs and foundations as well as screed. These are his jobs.
“JAM were punctual, professional and efficient and did an outstanding job on pouring our new floor as part of a renovation. Very highly recommend!”
“Excellent work, laser level finish, neat and tidy worker, highly recommend.”
“Top class work by james and his crew, highly recommend”
Quoted word for word from JAM Floor Screeding's Google reviews. Read them on Google
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Concrete slab cost questions
How much does a concrete slab cost per m² in Ireland?
A slab is priced per m² and a foundation per metre, for your job: the area and depth, the concrete grade, the steel, access for the truck and what's under the slab. Send the job and you get a written price.
How much concrete is in a 40 m² slab?
6 m³ at 150 mm, the Building Regulations' minimum for a ground-supported floor, before 5 to 10% for waste. Our arithmetic.
How much is ready-mix concrete per m³?
Ready-mix is priced per load. The price per load depends on where you are, the mix and the order size, and includes the 5% concrete levy.
Is there VAT on concrete?
Yes. Revenue charges ready-to-pour concrete and concrete blocks at the reduced rate; other building materials are at the standard rate.
What is the concrete levy?
The Defective Concrete Products Levy: 5% of the value of certain concrete products at first supply, since 1 September 2023, worked out before VAT (Revenue).
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