Screed gives a floor the smooth, level surface it needs before tiles, boards, or underfloor heating go down. Its cost is one of the first figures any flooring project has to pin down. In 2026, ready-mix screed costs between roughly £130 and £180 per cubic metre when supplied, with the exact figure set by the screed type, the volume ordered, and delivery.
Most buyers see screed quoted per square metre, even though it is batched and sold by the cubic metre. The ready-mix screed cost per cubic metre also shifts with pumping, site access, and where in the country the floor is. Every part of the price adds up differently, from the screed itself to the delivery, pumping, and extras that often surprise buyers. Each one is worth understanding before an order goes in.
Ready Mix Screed Cost Per Cubic Metre by Type
The type of screed is the single biggest factor in the price per cubic metre. Traditional sand and cement is the cheapest option, while liquid, fast-drying, and underfloor-heating mixes carry a premium for their materials and performance.
| Screed Type | Cost Per Cubic Metre |
| Traditional sand and cement | £130 to £150 |
| Liquid (flowing) screed | £140 to £170 |
| Fast-drying screed | £150 to £180 |
| Underfloor-heating screed | £150 to £185 |
These figures cover the screed supplied to the site. Delivery, pumping, and the labour to lay and level the floor are charged separately, which the sections below explain.
Major Factors That Affect the Cost of Ready Mix Screed
Beyond the screed type, several factors move the final bill up or down. Each one has a clear effect on the ready mix screed cost per cubic metre or on the total you pay.
The main factors that drive the cost are:
- Depth and Volume: Deeper floors use more cubic metres, and larger orders often earn a lower rate per m³, while small loads under 2 m³ can carry a surcharge of £50 to £100.
- Delivery and Access: Distance from the plant and tight or restricted access add to the cost, and a standard delivery charge of £50 to £100 usually applies per load.
- Pumping: Upper floors and long reaches need a screed pump, which starts at around £275 per hire on top of the screed itself.
- Additives: Fibres, accelerators, and underfloor-heating additives raise the mix price, adding a few pounds per square metre.
- Location: London and the South East run around 15 to 40% higher than many other regions.
- VAT: Screed prices are quoted before VAT, and 20% is added to reach the final figure.
Most of these appear as separate lines on a quote. Reading the breakdown carefully shows exactly where the money goes and where there is room to save.
Screed Cost Per Square Metre vs Per Cubic Metre
Screed is batched by the cubic metre, but flooring is measured by the area, which is where the two figures meet. Knowing the coverage lets you turn a per-metre price into a cost for your actual floor.
As a rule of thumb, one cubic metre of screed covers around 20 square metres at a 50mm depth. At a supplied price of £130 to £180 per m³, that works out at roughly £6.50 to £9 per square metre for the screed itself. Deeper floors cover less area per cubic metre, which means a 75mm floor drops the coverage to about 13 square metres per m³ and raises the cost per square metre.
Installed prices quoted per square metre run higher, often £30 to £60, because they include a screeder’s labour to lay and level the floor. That labour is separate from the supplied screed, and it is worth checking whether a quote covers material only or the full laid finish.
The Total Cost of a Screed Job in 2026
Putting the numbers together gives a realistic total for a project. The example below shows how the supplied screed, delivery, and pumping combine on a typical floor.
Take a 50 square metre floor laid at 50mm, which needs about 2.5 cubic metres of screed. At £140 per m³, the screed comes to £350, with a delivery charge of around £75 and a screed pump from £275 where one is needed. That brings the supply and pump cost to roughly £700 before VAT, with the laying labour added on top by the screeding contractor.
For a quick guide across common floor sizes at a 50mm depth, the supplied screed alone works out as follows:
- 20 square metres needs about 1m³, at £130 to £180
- 50 square metres needs about 2.5m³, at £325 to £450
- 100 square metres needs about 5m³, at £650 to £900
Suppliers such as Pro-Mix Concrete batch screed to the exact volume and mix each floor needs and pump it to where it is laid, which keeps the cost predictable. The totals still depend on depth, access, and whether a pump is required, which means a measured quote is always more accurate than a rule of thumb.
How to Reduce Your Ready Mix Screed Cost
A few decisions at the planning stage can bring the ready mix screed cost down without cutting corners on the floor. Most of the savings come from ordering smartly and preparing the site well.
To keep the cost down, it helps to:
- Order the right volume in one full load to avoid small-load surcharges
- Keep the screed to the minimum effective depth for the floor and finish
- Book screed alongside any concrete for the same site to share the delivery
- Prepare clear access to keep the pour quick and avoid waiting charges
- Compare quotes on a like-for-like basis, checking what each one includes
Small savings on delivery and depth add up across a larger floor. Planning the order around a full load is usually where the biggest reduction comes from.
Important FAQs
How much screed is needed per square metre?
One cubic metre of screed covers about 20 square metres at a 50mm depth, which means a 40 square metre floor needs roughly 2 cubic metres. Deeper floors need more, and a screed calculator confirms the exact volume.
Is liquid screed more expensive than traditional screed?
Liquid screed costs more per cubic metre than traditional sand and cement, typically £140 to £170 against £130 to £150. The faster pour and quicker drying often offset the higher material price on larger floors.
Does the price of ready-mix screed include laying it?
The supplied price covers the screed delivered and pumped to site, not the laying. A screeding contractor levels and finishes the floor for a separate labour charge, which is usually quoted per square metre.
How long does ready mix screed take to dry before flooring?
Traditional screed dries at roughly one day per millimetre, so a 50mm floor can take around 50 days. Liquid and fast-drying screeds cure far quicker, with some ready for floor finishes within days.
How deep should ready-mix screed be laid?
Traditional screed is usually laid at 40mm to 75mm, and liquid screed at 40mm to 50mm. Over underfloor heating, most floors run 50mm to 65mm. A deeper floor uses more cubic metres and costs more to supply.
Conclusion
The ready-mix screed cost per cubic metre in 2026 runs roughly £130 to £180 supplied, with liquid and specialist mixes at the upper end and delivery, pumping, and VAT added on top. Working from the cubic metre price, then converting it to your floor area, gives a clear budget before any quotes come in.
Pro-Mix Concrete supplies ready-mix screed across London and the surrounding areas, batched to the exact grade and volume each floor needs and pumped straight to where it is laid. For a firm price on a specific project, the expert team can work the cubic metres out from the area and depth and quote the screed and pump together.
Call them on 0800 772 3808 to price a screed order before the pour.
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