How Much Is A Yard Of Concrete In Ohio? Price Breakdown.

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How Much Is A Yard Of Concrete In Ohio? Price Breakdown.

So, how much is a yard of concrete in Ohio? The simple answer for the average concrete cost Ohio for ready mix concrete generally falls between $110 and $160 per cubic yard. This ready mix concrete price per yard can change a lot based on many things. What is the concrete delivery cost Ohio? Delivery often adds $60 to $200 or even more per truckload, depending on how far you are and the amount you order. What is the minimum concrete order Ohio? Most suppliers have a minimum, often around 3 to 6 cubic yards, and might charge a “short load fee” if you need less. Ready mix concrete prices near me Ohio will vary depending on your exact spot in the state and which local concrete suppliers Ohio you call.

Let’s look closer at what affects these numbers. We will break down the typical costs and what makes them go up or down.

Average Concrete Cost Per Yard in Ohio

Getting concrete for a project means paying for the material itself and often for it to be brought to your place. The average concrete cost Ohio usually talks about the price of one cubic yard of the mixed concrete. Think of a cubic yard as a box that is 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet high. This is enough concrete to pour a sidewalk about 80 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 4 inches thick.

The basic price you see is the concrete price per yard Ohio. For standard mixes used in driveways, patios, or footers, this price is commonly in the $110 to $160 range. But this is just the starting point. It’s the material cost at the plant before anyone puts it in a truck.

Deciphering Ready Mix Concrete Prices

Most people building things use ready mix concrete. This is concrete that is mixed at a plant and then trucked to your job site. It saves you the work of mixing it yourself. The cost of ready mix concrete Ohio includes the materials (cement, stone, sand, water) and the cost of mixing them properly.

Ready mix plants have different prices based on many things. These are often where you find ready mix concrete prices near me Ohio. They might have a set price list for common mixes.

Here’s a simple look at how the basic price changes:

• Mix Strength: Stronger concrete uses more cement. This costs more money. A mix for a sidewalk is weaker and cheaper than a mix for a building’s foundation.
• Additives: Sometimes special things are added to concrete. Air is added for freezing weather (air-entrainment). Chemicals might be added to make it set faster or slower, or flow easier. These additives increase the concrete price per yard Ohio.
• Type of Materials: The kind of stone or sand used can affect the price.

So, while the base range is $110-$160 per yard, asking for something special like high-strength concrete or a mix with added fibers will push the price higher, maybe to $170, $180, or even more per yard for the material itself.

Concrete Delivery Expenses

The concrete delivery cost Ohio is a big part of the total price. Concrete is heavy, and big trucks are needed to move it. Delivery is almost always priced separately from the concrete per yard.

How delivery costs are figured out:

• Distance: The further away the concrete plant is from your project, the more delivery will cost. This is why finding local concrete suppliers Ohio matters.
• Amount of Concrete: Delivery is often charged per truckload. A standard concrete truck can hold about 9 to 10 cubic yards.
  • If you order a full truckload (or close to it), the delivery cost is spread over more yards, making the delivery cost per yard lower.
  • If you order a small amount (a few yards), you still pay for the whole truck trip. This makes the delivery cost per yard very high.
• Time: If the truck has to wait a long time at your site (because you’re not ready or pouring is slow), the concrete company might charge extra fees. This is called “detention time.”
• Fuel Costs: When gas prices are high, delivery costs usually go up too.

A typical delivery fee for a standard distance might be $100 to $200 per truck. But if you are very far away or need a very small load, this fee can be much higher. Sometimes suppliers have a flat fee for delivery within a certain area, plus an extra charge per mile outside that area.

Minimum Order Requirements

Most ready mix concrete plants have a minimum concrete order Ohio. This is because it costs them money to load a truck, drive it to your site, and clean it afterward, no matter how little concrete is in it.

Typical minimum orders range from 3 to 6 cubic yards.

If you need less than their minimum, they might still deliver it, but they will charge you for the minimum amount anyway. Or they might add a “short load fee.” This short load fee can be anywhere from $50 to $300 or more, on top of the cost of the concrete you ordered and the delivery fee.

For very small jobs, like fixing a small patch or setting a few posts, buying bags of concrete mix from a local hardware store and mixing it yourself might be cheaper than ordering a ready mix truck due to these minimum charges and delivery fees.

Factors Causing Concrete Price Swings

Many things can make the price of concrete go up or down. Grasping these factors affecting concrete price helps you understand the quote you get.

Strength and Mix Design

• PSI (Pounds per Square Inch): This is how concrete strength is measured. Standard concrete for sidewalks or driveways is often 3000 or 3500 PSI. Stronger mixes, like 4000 PSI or 5000 PSI for heavy loads or foundations, use more cement and cost more.
• Cement Content: The amount of cement in the mix is the biggest factor in its strength and cost. More cement means higher price.
• Aggregates: The stone and sand used are called aggregates. Their size and type can affect the price. Special, clean aggregates cost more.
• Water-Cement Ratio: This is super important for strength. Less water (lower ratio) makes stronger concrete but is harder to work with. Mixes needing a low water-cement ratio might cost more because they require more careful mixing and sometimes additives to make them pourable.

Special Ingredients (Additives)

• Air Entrainment: Essential in Ohio’s freezing weather. It puts tiny air bubbles in the concrete to give freezing water space to expand without cracking the concrete. It adds a small cost per yard.
• Plasticizers/Superplasticizers: Make concrete more fluid and easier to pour without adding extra water (which would weaken it). Good for complex shapes or pumping. Add cost.
• Retarders/Accelerators: Slow down or speed up how fast the concrete sets. Useful in very hot or cold weather. Add cost.
• Fibers: Small fibers (steel, synthetic) can be added to help prevent surface cracks (like shrinkage cracks). Adds cost.
• Color Pigments: Adding color to concrete costs extra, often significantly more per yard than standard gray.

Quantity Ordered

• Buying more yards at once usually means a lower price per yard. Suppliers want larger orders.
• Small orders might pay the minimum concrete order Ohio fee or a higher price per yard because of the fixed costs (trucking, mixing) spread over fewer yards.

Location, Location, Location

• Distance from Plant: Already mentioned with delivery, but being far from any concrete plant means higher travel costs.
• Region within Ohio: Prices can vary across the state. Concrete might cost slightly more in larger metro areas like Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati compared to rural areas, but access to more suppliers in cities might also create more competition, sometimes lowering prices. Finding ready mix concrete prices near me Ohio by getting quotes from several local plants is key.

Time of Year and Demand

• Concrete pouring slows down a lot in cold Ohio winters. Demand is lower.
• Spring, summer, and fall are busy times. High demand can sometimes push prices up or make scheduling deliveries harder.

Supplier Type

• Large concrete companies might have more plants and offer wider service areas.
• Smaller, local concrete suppliers Ohio might be more flexible or offer different pricing structures. Getting quotes from both types can be smart.

Using a Concrete Calculator

Before you call for quotes, you need to know how much concrete you need. This is where a concrete calculator cubic yards Ohio tool is helpful.

Concrete is measured and sold by the cubic yard. To figure out how many cubic yards you need, you measure the length, width, and thickness of the area you want to fill with concrete.

• Step 1: Measure: Get the length, width, and thickness in feet.
  • Example: A driveway 50 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 4 inches thick.
• Step 2: Convert Thickness to Feet: Concrete thickness is often given in inches. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12.
  • Example: 4 inches / 12 inches/foot = 0.333 feet.
• Step 3: Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet: Multiply length x width x thickness (in feet).
  • Example: 50 ft * 10 ft * 0.333 ft = 166.5 cubic feet.
• Step 4: Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards: There are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard (3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft = 27 cu ft). Divide your cubic feet total by 27.
  • Example: 166.5 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet/yard = 6.17 cubic yards.

So, for that driveway example, you’d need about 6.2 cubic yards of concrete.

Most concrete calculator cubic yards Ohio tools online do this math for you. You just type in the shape (square/rectangle, circle, tube, etc.) and the measurements, and it tells you the cubic yards needed.

Important Tip: Always order a little extra concrete (maybe 5% to 10%). It is much better to have a little bit left over than to run short and have to wait for a second, expensive short load delivery.

The Total Cost: Beyond Just the Material

When people ask about the cost of concrete slab Ohio, they are usually thinking about the finished project price, not just the material. The price of the concrete per yard is only one part of this.

The total cost of concrete slab Ohio includes:

1. Concrete Material: The cubic yards needed times the concrete price per yard Ohio.
2. Delivery Cost: The fee to get the truck to your site.
3. Preparation Work:
   • Digging out the area.
   • Removing old concrete or dirt.
   • Bringing in and leveling gravel base (often needed).
   • Building wooden forms to hold the concrete shape.
   • Putting in rebar (steel bars) or mesh for strength.
4. Labor: The cost of workers to pour, spread, level, and finish the concrete. This is often the biggest part of the cost of concrete slab Ohio.
5. Finishing: Special finishes like stamping, coloring, or exposed aggregate cost more than a basic smooth finish.
6. Pumping (if needed): If the truck can’t get close to where the concrete is needed (like in a backyard or upstairs), a concrete pump truck is used. This is an extra cost, often hundreds of dollars.

So, while the concrete might cost $110-$160 per yard, the final cost to have a professional install a concrete slab can range from $4 to $8 per square foot, or even higher for complex jobs or special finishes. To get the cost of concrete slab Ohio for your project, you need to get quotes that include all these steps, not just the concrete price.

Finding Local Concrete Suppliers

Getting concrete means finding local concrete suppliers Ohio. Using a supplier close to your job site saves money on delivery and means the concrete spends less time in the truck (which is important, as it starts to set).

Ways to find suppliers:

• Online Search: Search for “ready mix concrete near me” or “concrete suppliers Ohio” in your specific town or county.
• Ask Contractors: If you are using a contractor, they will have suppliers they work with regularly.
• Drive Around: Concrete plants are often located in industrial areas. You might see their trucks or facilities.
• Local Building Supply Yards: Some lumber or masonry yards might not sell ready mix themselves but can point you to local suppliers.

When you call suppliers for ready mix concrete prices near me Ohio, be ready to tell them:

• How many cubic yards you need (use your concrete calculator cubic yards Ohio result).
• What kind of concrete you need (strength like 3000 PSI, 3500 PSI, etc., and if you need air-entrainment – you do in Ohio).
• Your project address (so they can figure delivery cost Ohio).
• The date and time you want the concrete.
• If the truck can easily get to the pour spot.

Getting quotes from 2-3 local concrete suppliers Ohio is a good idea to compare prices and availability.

Advice for Reducing Concrete Expenses

Concrete is a significant cost in many projects. Here are a few tips to help manage the expense:

• Order the Right Amount: Use a concrete calculator cubic yards Ohio tool and add that 5-10% extra. Guessing wrong means either paying for a short load or paying for disposal of too much leftover concrete.
• Be Ready for the Truck: Have everything prepared before the truck arrives – forms built, rebar in place, base compacted. Detention time fees add up quickly.
• Pour with Friends/Helpers: For DIY jobs, having enough people helps unload and finish the concrete quickly and efficiently, reducing truck waiting time.
• Choose Standard Mixes: Unless your project truly needs it, stick to standard strength concrete with basic additives (like air-entrainment for Ohio). Highly specialized mixes cost more.
• Pour During Off-Peak Times: If possible, scheduling pours during less busy seasons (like late fall) or times of the week might offer slight savings or better scheduling.
• Check Minimums: If you have a very small job, understand the minimum concrete order Ohio from ready mix plants. Bagged concrete might be cheaper for tiny projects.
• Get Multiple Quotes: Always compare ready mix concrete prices near me Ohio from several local concrete suppliers Ohio. Prices can vary.
• Consider Alternative Materials: For some projects, like walkways or patios, other materials like pavers or gravel might be cheaper than concrete, especially when factoring in the full cost of concrete slab Ohio installation.

Comprehending Concrete Specifications

When you order concrete, the supplier will ask you about the “mix design.” This might sound technical, but it just means what kind of concrete you want. For most home projects in Ohio, you’ll likely need:

• Strength: Commonly 3000 PSI or 3500 PSI. Check local building codes or ask your inspector/contractor what is required for your specific project (like a driveway that will have heavy vehicles vs. a simple patio).
• Air Entrainment: Absolutely necessary in Ohio because of freezing and thawing cycles. Make sure your quote includes air-entrained concrete.
• Slump: This measures how wet and flowable the concrete is. A higher slump is wetter and easier to pour but can be weaker if not designed properly. A typical slump for pourable concrete is 4-5 inches. If you need it to flow more easily (like for pumping), you might need a higher slump mix with plasticizers.

Discuss these points with your concrete supplier to make sure you get the right mix for your job.

Pricing Tables: A Look at Ranges

It’s hard to give exact prices because they change based on location and time. But here are some ranges you might see for the Ohio concrete price per yard and delivery costs.

Item	Typical Price Range in Ohio	Notes
Standard Concrete (per yard)	$110 – $160	3000-3500 PSI, includes air entrainment
Higher Strength Mix (per yard)	$160 – $200+	4000 PSI and up, more cement
Additives (per yard)	$5 – $30+	Fibers, colors, special flow agents
Concrete Delivery (per truck)	$100 – $200+	Based on distance, size of load, supplier
Short Load Fee	$50 – $300+	For orders below supplier’s minimum
Detention Time (per minute)	$1 – $3+	Charged if truck waits too long at site
Concrete Pump Truck	$500 – $1000+ (flat fee + hourly)	Needed if truck can’t access pour location

Note: These are general ranges. Always get specific quotes from local concrete suppliers Ohio for your project.

Grasping the Cost of a Concrete Slab

As mentioned, the cost of concrete slab Ohio is more than just the material. Let’s look at how labor and prep add up.

Imagine our example driveway: 50 ft x 10 ft x 4 inches (0.333 ft). That’s about 167 sq ft, needing around 6.2 cubic yards of concrete.

• Material Cost: 6.2 yards * $140/yard (mid-range price) = $868
• Delivery Cost: $150 (example delivery fee)
• Total Material + Delivery: $868 + $150 = $1018

Now, add labor, prep, and finishing:

• Prep (Digging, Base, Forms, Rebar): This can range widely but might be $1-$3 per square foot. For 167 sq ft: $167 – $501.
• Pouring and Finishing Labor: This also varies but could be $2-$4 per square foot for a basic finish. For 167 sq ft: $334 – $668.

Estimated Total Cost Range for a Basic 167 sq ft Driveway Slab:

• Low End: $1018 (Material+Delivery) + $167 (Prep) + $334 (Labor) = $1519
• High End: $1018 (Material+Delivery) + $501 (Prep) + $668 (Labor) = $2187

This works out to roughly $9 to $13 per square foot for this example, which is higher than the $4-$8 range sometimes quoted for larger or simpler jobs, showing how project specifics and scale affect the final cost of concrete slab Ohio. This doesn’t include any special finishes, which would add more.

This shows why knowing the concrete price per yard Ohio is only part of the picture for a finished project.

FAQ: Common Questions About Concrete Costs in Ohio

Here are answers to some frequent questions about buying concrete in Ohio.

Q: Does the price of concrete change with the seasons in Ohio?

A: Yes. Concrete demand is highest from spring through fall. Prices can sometimes be firmer during these busy months. Work slows down in the cold winter, and some plants might offer slightly better pricing or have more availability.

Q: Is it cheaper to mix concrete myself instead of buying ready mix?

A: For very small amounts (like less than 1 or 2 cubic yards), buying bags of concrete mix and mixing it yourself is almost always cheaper than ordering a ready mix truck, mostly because of minimum order fees and delivery costs for ready mix. For larger amounts, buying ready mix is usually more cost-effective and ensures consistent quality.

Q: What happens if I order too much concrete?

A: You are responsible for getting rid of any leftover concrete. You cannot just wash it down the drain or dump it. You might need to create a small form to pour the extra into or pay to take it to a proper disposal site. It is cheaper to order slightly too much and have a little left over than to order too little and pay for a short load delivery to finish the job.

Q: What is the difference between PSI and strength?

A: PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) is the unit used to measure the concrete’s strength. So, saying concrete is “3500 PSI” means its strength, when tested, can handle 3500 pounds of pressure per square inch. Higher PSI means higher strength.

Q: How do I find ready mix concrete prices near me Ohio?

A: The best way is to use online search tools (like Google Maps) to find concrete plants in your area and then call them directly. Look for “ready mix concrete,” “concrete suppliers,” or “concrete plants.” Have your project details (volume, strength, address) ready when you call.

Q: What is a “short load” fee?

A: A short load fee is an extra charge from a concrete supplier when you order less concrete than their set minimum amount (the minimum concrete order Ohio). This fee helps cover the supplier’s costs for sending a truck even when it is not full.

In Conclusion

The price of a yard of concrete in Ohio typically falls between $110 and $160 for standard mixes. However, this is just the base material cost. The final price you pay per yard can increase due to factors like higher strength requirements, special additives, and most importantly, the concrete delivery cost Ohio. Finding local concrete suppliers Ohio and getting quotes helps you see the ready mix concrete prices near me Ohio. Remember to use a concrete calculator cubic yards Ohio tool to figure out how much you need and always factor in the minimum concrete order Ohio requirements. For the full cost of concrete slab Ohio, you must also include preparation and labor costs, which often make up a much larger portion of the total project expense than just the material itself. Planning carefully and getting clear quotes will help you budget accurately for your concrete project.