Concrete PricesThe average cost of concrete is $119 to $147 per cubic yard, which includes delivery up to 20 miles. Pouring plain concrete costs $5 to $10 per square foot depending on the quality, while colored, stamped, or stained concrete costs $8 to $18 per square foot to install. Show
When pouring a concrete slab, patio, driveway, sidewalk, or adding steps, getting ready-mixed concrete delivered is quick and cost-effective. When estimating the costs of your concrete project, factors include the local cost of concrete, the amount of concrete you need, grading the land, preparing the subbase, installing concrete forms, laying reinforcements, pumping, and finishing. Before hiring a concrete contractor, it's important to learn about the additional costs, delivery types, different concrete quality, and estimate how much concrete you need with our cost calculator. Table of Contents
Concrete Cost Per YardAccording to the NRMCA, concrete costs $108 per cubic yard on average. With concrete delivery and pouring, most pay $119 to $147 per cubic yard depending on the PSI of the cement. A full 10-yard truckload with delivery costs $1,169 to $1,444, which is enough to pour a 20x24 driveway. Getting less than a full truckload (short-load) or weekend delivery will add to your final cost. If your job site is more than 20 miles away from the mixing plant, expect to pay an additional fee of $9.50 per mile. Concrete Cost Per Yard
Concrete Price Per Square FootA typical 6" thick concrete slab costs $5 to $10 per square foot depending on the concrete quality and project size. Decorative options such as coloring, stamping, patterns, or special finishes bring the total installation cost to $8 to $18 per square foot. However, most concrete jobs are measured in cubic yards instead of square feet. Full Truck Load of Concrete CostOne full truckload of concrete is about 10 cubic yards and costs between $1,169 and $1,444 depending on the PSI mix. Anything less than a full truckload is considered a short load which adds $53 per cubic yard to your final price. Bulk Concrete and Price Per TonOne cubic yard of concrete is equal to 2.03 (short) tons which costs an average of $50 to $75 per ton. Bulk concrete is measured and delivered in tons for large commercial applications, and the price will vary depending on the PSI (pounds per square inch) strength required for the job. Return to Top How Much Concrete Do You Need?How much concrete you need is typically measured in cubic yards and is the largest factor in determining your final delivery cost. Once you calculate how much concrete you need, add 5% to 10% to account for waste and spills. Ordering more than you need is way better than ending up short. Pouring twice may produce a "cold seam" between the concrete that will cause you to start over. Concrete Cost & Yards CalculatorPut in the dimensions of your project in our concrete calculator below to find the number of cubic yards required and the estimated total cost for concrete delivery. Does not include adding a waste of 5%. Concrete Delivery CostsWhen you order concrete, cement trucks don't drive from house to house making deliveries. If pre-mixed, each order of concrete is mixed specifically according to the requirements of the job. Once the concrete is mixed, the driver has about 90 minutes, or 300 rotations of the truck's barrel, to deliver that load before the cement starts to set. Choosing the right type of concrete delivery is vital whether you're a homeowner or a contractor. The amount of concrete ordered and the distance the truck needs to travel affects your final cost. For most residential jobs, the two common types of concrete deliveries are ready-mix and short load.
Short-Load Concrete PricesEach cubic yard of concrete costs $119 to $147 per cubic yard delivered. A full truckload of concrete generally holds 10 cubic yards, while partially filled trucks or "short loads" cost $53 per cubic yard more, or about $172 per yard. Some concrete contractors will offer short load services for small or residential projects where they deliver between 1 and 11 yards of concrete in ¼-cubic-yard increments in a single trip. The concrete is then mixed on-site using a freestanding mixer by the company staff for a service charge of about $60 to $110 or more. At that point, you or your contractors are responsible for pouring the concrete. Short-Load Concrete Prices
Short-load concrete deliveries are the ideal option for smaller projects they may require 1-3 cubic yards:
Get free estimates from concrete pros. View Pros Ready-Mix Concrete PricesReady-mix concrete is pre-mixed in batches of 10 cubic yards or more and includes delivery up to 20 miles for $119 to $147 per cubic yard. The quality of ready-mix concrete is much higher than short load delivery because the concrete is precisely prepared at a mixing plant. Once the concrete is mixed, the driver has about 90 minutes to deliver that load before it sets, and the concrete must be poured immediately upon arrival. Ready-Mix Concrete Prices
Ready-mix concrete typically includes 1" to 1-1/2" aggregate and common projects include:
Haul Your Own ConcreteYou also have the option of hauling your own concrete, typically up to 1 cubic yard at a time. You will need to rent a small concrete mixer that is attached to a trailer which adds $10 per cubic yard to your concrete price, or a flat fee of $120 per day. In many projects, concrete should be poured all at once; else, it will produce a "cold seam" that weakens the structure. Keep this in mind if your project requires more than one cubic yard of material. Questions to Ask Your Concrete Contractor
Consult with a concrete professional. View Pros Return to Top Prep Work Before Pouring ConcreteBefore scheduling your concrete delivery, extra prep work such as grading, preparing a subbase, building forms, or installing reinforcements may be necessary. GradingThe base that lies beneath your concrete is essential to a successful slab that does not crack. Grading typically costs $60 per hour for a tractor and operator. Grading is necessary to ensure water drains away from your home and doesn’t pool underneath the concrete, which could result in major cracking. For larger projects, such as clearing the land when building a house costs between $1,150 and $3,680. SubbaseFor proper installation, a sub-base or sub-grade of gravel and sand that's delivered needs to be laid and compacted at $10 to $20 per cubic yard. A subbase reduces the possibility of shifting, resulting in less cracking. The foundation must be stable for the concrete to perform best. Cost of Concrete FormsPlywood forming with stakes, nails, and form oil is required to pour concrete. Concrete edge forms for driveways and sidewalks cost $2 to $3 per linear foot to install, while forms for foundation walls, building walls, and retaining walls cost $2.50 to $6.00 per square foot of contact area. Cost of Concrete Forms
Concrete ReinforcementConcrete reinforcement wire mesh costs $0.15 – $0.30 per square foot, while rebar ranges from $0.30 to $0.50 per linear foot. Adding concrete reinforcements helps with poor soil conditions, prevents large cracks, and is highly recommended to make your concrete project structurally sound. Colored Concrete CostOrdering tan, brown, gray, or beige colored concrete will add $31 per cubic yard bringing the total cost to $150 to $178 per cubic yard including delivery. There's an extra charge for truck cleanup of $96 per day, which may be more if a separate mixer is needed for multiple colors. Colored concrete is popular in landscape design. Colored Concrete Cost
Stamped & Stained Concrete CostSpecial concrete finishes such as staining or stamped concrete costs from $2 to $18 per square foot to install depending on the intricacy of the design. Stamped concrete varies from a smooth polish to geometric patterns to something that resembles stone, brick, or tile. Stained concrete is cheaper, and one color is applied to the surface with a protective sealant. Advanced staining projects encompass multiple colors, stenciling, and border designs. Stamped & Stained Concrete Cost
Concrete Pumping CostConcrete pumping for small residential jobs with a trailer-mounted pump and 200' hose costs $15 per cubic yard with a $125 minimum. For larger concrete pouring jobs that require a 75' to 105' boom truck ranges from $140 to $190 per hour with a typical 4- to 5-hour minimum. Trailer mounted pumps can move 15 cubic yards of concrete per hour, while a boom truck can run 70 to 90 cubic yards per hour. When pumping with a boom truck, add in at least 1 hour for equipment setup and 1 hour for cleanup. For large projects, or if no concrete pump trucks are available, renting an 80-ton crane to reach 100 feet costs $240 per hour, or about $20 per cubic yard, plus travel costs each way. Cranes can move 20 cubic yards of concrete per hour with a 4,000-pound bucket. Return to Top Pre-Mix Concrete PricesPre-mixed concrete costs $4.49 to $5.57 per 50-pound bag of light-weight and fast-setting concrete mix and is available at most home improvement stores. Pre-mixed concrete comes in two varieties; a "no-mix" bag which requires the addition of water, and another which requires renting a concrete mixer to cure the cement. Pre-Mix Concrete Prices
Each bag size produces a different yield of cubic yards:
There are different types of cement, but the most common is Portland cement, which is used in concrete, mortar, stucco, and grout. Other types include slow- or fast-drying cement, more- or less-viscous cement, and one kind of cement that resists water damage. It all depends on the ratio of materials used to mix cement and aggregates, which affects the end result. Hire a concrete contractor to help. View Pros Pre-mixed concrete bags are available from 50 to 90-pound sacks and are excellent for most small residential jobs such as:
Concrete Equipment Rental CostsWhen you haul your own concrete, use pre-mixed bags, or get a short-load delivered, you may need to rent equipment based on your project's scope. For example, renting a cement mixer on a trailer for small jobs costs $120 per day or $390 for a week. Concrete Equipment Rental Costs
DIY Concrete Installation TipsTo get the most out of your concrete project, follow these installation tips:
Return to Top Concrete PSI For Driveways, Sidewalks, and FoundationsPSI stands for “pounds per square inch,” and it measures the strength of concrete. The more pounds per square inch, the stronger the concrete. Recommended Concrete PSIThe recommended concrete PSI for most residential projects such as walkways, driveways, and sidewalks is 2,500 PSI, while foundations, footings, and floor slabs it's best to use 3,000 PSI concrete. Recommended Concrete PSI
Concrete Prices Per Yard By PSI MixThe higher the PSI strength of the concrete, the higher the price per cubic yard. Concrete Prices Per Yard By PSI Mix
Return to Top Frequently Asked QuestionsWhere Do You Buy Concrete?There are multiple ways to buy concrete depending on the amount you need. For small residential projects, you can purchase pre-mixed 50-pound bags of concrete from your local home improvement store. For larger projects, call a ready-mix concrete delivery company which hauls up to 10 cubic yards at a time, which is enough to pour anything from a sidewalk to a driveway. What Is The Cheapest Way To Buy Concrete?The cheapest way to buy concrete is to mix your own by purchasing pre-mixed bags for $4.49 each and renting a concrete mixer for $120 per day. The second best way, it to buy a bulk truckload full (10 cubic yards) for $1,169 including delivery. How Do You Order Concrete?When you call a concrete contractor, ask for the dispatch department which is responsible for setting up new deliveries. As long as you can provide the dimensions of your project and what you are pouring, they will be able to tell you exactly how much concrete you need and the PSI mix you need. Always be sure to order 5% to 10% more than you need and ask if you need any additives like reinforced fiber for your project. How Many Cubic Yards of Concrete Are In A Truck?A concrete truck's capacity is approximately 10 cubic yards of concrete which costs $1,169 to $1,444 delivered up to 20 miles. This is enough to pour a 20' x 24' concrete driveway that is 8.88 cubic yards and not have to pay for two deliveries. What Is The Minimum Amount of Concrete for Delivery?The minimum concrete delivery for ready-mix concrete is a truckload of about 10 cubic yards at $119 to $147 per cubic yard. If you order less than 10 cubic yards of cement, there will be an additional fee of approximately $53 per cubic yard. How Long Does It Take to Pour Concrete?From start to finish, a crew of five can set forms and pour 40 to 50 cubic yards of concrete directly from a ready-mix truck in an 8-hour day. For pumping alone, it takes 60 to 90 minutes to pour a typical truckload of concrete. Once the water is added to the dry mixture, the concrete must be delivered/poured within 1.5 hours (or 300 revolutions of the truck) before the cement sets. Trailer mounted concrete pumps move 15 cubic yards per hour, boom trucks move 70 to 90 CY, and cranes move 20 CY per hour. Can You Pour Concrete in a Hole with Water?Yes, you can pour concrete in a hole with water if the water is calm. If there is movement in the water, it will wash away the cement paste that holds the sand and gravel together. Can You Pour Concrete Over Grass?Yes, you can pour concrete over grass. For best results, it’s a good idea to use a rototiller over the area until the vegetation is broken up as much as possible. Grass has been known to grow up through concrete, so you want to make sure the grass is dead. What Is the Difference Between Concrete and Cement?Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Concrete is made up of paste and aggregates. The paste is the water combined with Portland cement, and the aggregate is gravel or crushed stones. (Portland cement is simply the term for the cement used in nearly every kind of concrete.) What Is a Lean Mix of Concrete?A lean mix of concrete refers to a lower ratio of cement to liquid in the concrete. While this may not make a good driveway, it makes an excellent base layer for other types of concrete to go over. It helps to even out a rough terrain. How Far Can Concrete Be Pumped?According to the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA), most residential concrete pumping is completed with 30-meter class booms which pump as far as 100 feet. Smaller concrete jobs use a trailer-mounted pump with a 200' hose, while large projects use an 80-ton crane to reach up to 100'. How Much Does a Concrete Pump Truck Cost Per Hour?Concrete jobs that require a 75' to 105' boom pump truck ranges from $140 to $190 per hour with a typical 4- to 5-hour minimum. This covers the truck and a certified driver, but not the concrete. Return to Top Hiring A Concrete ContractorBe sure to get at least 3 cost estimates and compare multiple concrete contractors. They will inform you on the type of delivery you need, the best PSI to use for your project, what aggregates you need, and will send an accurate quote based on your cubic yard requirements.
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How many yards are in a truck load?Dump Truck Cubic Yardage - The Basics
While there is room for variance, most full-size dump trucks have a capacity of between 10 and 16 cubic yards.
How much concrete is in a ready mix truck?Most concrete trucks can hold between 11 and 15 cubic yards of concrete. Weight limits on roads often limit the amount they can carry to 8 to 11 cubic yards.
How many 80lb bags of concrete make a yard?How many bags of concrete are in a yard? To produce one yard of concrete, you'll need to use about 45 80-pound bags (or 90 40-pound bags).
How many yards of concrete do I need for a 24x24 x4 slab?For an approximate idea of how much concrete you need, use the Concrete Volume Calculator below. For example, for a concrete slab that is 24' X 24' X 4”, simply enter 4 in the Thickness/Depth field, 24 in the Width field, and 24 in the Length field. Click “Calculate”. Your answer should be 7.11 yards.
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