Concrete Batch Plants for Small Contractors: What You Need to Know

carmix 3500 tc pouring concrete in a remote environment

If you're a contractor pouring driveways, pools, pads, slabs, or utility trenches, chances are you've dealt with ready-mix delays, delivery minimums, or expensive short loads. What many small contractors don't realize is this:

Owning your own small concrete batch plant is more accessible than ever.

Whether you're working on residential pours or light commercial projects, a portable or self-loading batch plant can put you in control of your schedule, mix quality, and costs. In this guide, we’ll break down how these plants work, what they cost, and how much you can save by switching from ready-mix to on-site batching.

Who Should Be Thinking About a Small Batch Plant?

Batch plants aren't just for concrete producers or highway contractors. They're a smart investment for:

General contractors pouring 2,000 to 10,000 yd³ annually
Builders working in remote areas or off-grid locations
Contractors doing solar farms, utility pads, footings, or foundation work
Crews who want more control over their mix timing and quality

If you're tired of waiting on ready-mix trucks or losing time to delays, this is for you.

contractors pouring concrete from a Carmix 3500 tc portable concrete batch plant — Anyone can start making their own concrete on site

What Is a Small Concrete Batch Plant?

A small concrete batch plant is a compact setup that mixes concrete on demand. These plants range from self-loading mobile units (like the Carmix 3500TC) to modular batch systems (like the Frumecar FastMix 500) that can be installed on-site or moved between jobs.

Two Common Small & Compact Concrete Batch Plant Options:

Self-loading mobile batch plants (e.g. Carmix 3500TC):
- One machine that loads, mixes, and transports concrete
- Best for off-road or remote jobsites
- Ideal when you need concrete in small but regular volumes

Carmix 3500 TC concrete batch plant pouring a large concrete pad for foundations — Carmix 3500 TC concrete batch plant is portable and allows you to pour concrete in the most remote locations

Portable batch systems (e.g. Blend or Frumecar):
- Higher output than self-loading units
- Suited for medium-scale jobs or dedicated site setups
- More flexibility with mix design and additives

How Much Can You Save?

Let’s look at a real example. If you have a project that requires 5,000 cubic yards of concrete, here's the cost breakdown:

Cost of ready-mix: $173 per yard
Cost to batch your own: $119.39 per yard

That’s a savings of $53.61 per yard, or $268,071 total for the project.

And yes, that already includes diesel and maintenance. This is based on running a self-contained unit like the Carmix 3500TC over 370 hours. In most cases, you’ll cover the cost of your machine within your first few pours.

ROI break down of the Cost of running the Carmix 3500 TC for a 5,000 cubic yard project — Cost of running the Carmix 3500 TC for a 5,000 cubic yard project

When Does a Concrete Batch Plant Make Financial Sense?

If you're pouring 2,000 yards or more per year, a small batch plant is worth serious consideration. Here's a quick way to think about it:

Break-even point: Around 2,000 to 3,000 yd³ (depending on plant type and fuel costs)
Savings beyond break-even: $40 to $60 per yard in most areas
Ownership benefit: Full control over mix, no delays, lower logistics cost

For larger jobs or recurring pours, you can even offer concrete supply to other contractors in your network.

What Type of Jobs Are a Good Fit For a Concrete Batch Plant?

Remote or hard-to-access sites (e.g. solar farms, mountain jobs)
Small to mid-size residential or commercial foundations
Sidewalks, bike paths, and curbing jobs
Utility pads or pole bases
Any site where ready-mix minimums are a problem

Blend plant working in a remote location producing concrete — Concrete batch plants allow you to pour in remote locations, save money on ready-mix and product the exact amount of concrete you need for your project

Common Myths About Concrete Batch Plants (and What’s Actually True)

"I need a big crew to run this. "False. Self-loading mixers like the Carmix 3500TC are designed for one-person operation.

"It’s too expensive to get started. "Also false. With financing, you can get started for a low monthly payment. And since you’re saving $50+ per yard, most plants pay for themselves in a few jobs.

"The quality won’t match ready-mix. "Not true. These machines use calibrated batching and certified scales to ensure consistency. You control the mix and materials.

carmix allows you to make on spec concrete on site — Portable concrete batch plants can be operated with only 1 or two operators - no need for a big crew

What Machines Should I Be Looking At?

Here are a few options depending on your job size and mobility needs:

Carmix 3500TC

Self-loading mobile batch plant
3.5 yd³ drum capacity
Ideal for off-road, remote, or hard-to-reach sites
Mix, load, and transport with one machine

Blend E-Series

Modular, flexible batching system
Designed for mobile or semi-permanent setups
Adjustable mix designs and continuous production

Blend concrete batch plants can be installed on a trailer or even on a railway cart

Frumecar EBA 1000

Stationary or semi-portable plant
High-volume output (up to 65 yd³/hr)
Suited for medium-scale jobs or in-yard setups

Frumecar wet 100tc static concrete batch plant — Frumecar concrete batch plants are great for contractors that need access to lots of concrete

Final Takeaway

If you're pouring a few thousand yards per year and frustrated with concrete delivery costs or delays, owning a batch plant might be the smartest move you can make. You don’t need to be a giant ready-mix producer. You just need to know your volume and pick the right machine for your jobs.

Want to run your own numbers?

Use our concrete ROI calculator or talk to our team - 888-297-0623 about which plant makes the most sense for your business

*Pricing note: These numbers are based on costs and tariffs at the time of writing. Machinery pricing may vary. For current machine pricing, always check the product pages directly or contact our team.