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Ohio Concrete Cost: How Much Is Concrete Per Yard In Ohio
In Ohio, the price you pay for concrete per yard typically ranges from about $110 to $160. This figure, often called the concrete cost per yard Ohio, is the average concrete price Ohio for ready-mix concrete delivered to your job site. However, the exact cost for a yard of concrete Ohio can change a lot based on several things, like the type of concrete mix, how much you need, and where you live in the state. Ready mix concrete price Ohio includes the cost of the materials mixed at a plant and brought to you in a truck.
Grasping What a Yard of Concrete Means
When we talk about the cost of concrete per yard Ohio, we mean a cubic yard.
A cubic yard of concrete is a measure of volume. Think of a box that is 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet high. That box holds one cubic yard.
One cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4,000 pounds, or 2 tons. It’s a heavy material!
Knowing how much a cubic yard is helps you figure out how much concrete you need for your project. You measure the length, width, and thickness of the area you want to fill with concrete, usually in feet, and then do a little math to get the cubic yard amount.
Factors Affecting Concrete Prices in Ohio
The price of concrete delivered Ohio isn’t just one set number. Many things can make the price go up or down. Knowing these factors helps you understand the quote you get from a supplier and helps you budget for your project.
Here are the main things that change the cost for a yard of concrete Ohio:
- The Concrete Mix Design: Not all concrete is the same. Different projects need different types of concrete.
- Concrete Strength (PSI): Concrete is sold based on how strong it is after it dries. Strength is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).
- Additives and Admixtures: Special ingredients can be added to the concrete mix to change how it acts. These cost extra.
- How Much Concrete You Need: Suppliers often give better prices per yard if you buy a large amount.
- How Far the Truck Travels: Getting the concrete from the plant to your location adds a delivery cost Ohio.
- When You Need It Delivered: The time of day, day of the week, and even the season can affect the price.
- Current Market Conditions: Like anything else, the price of concrete materials (cement, sand, gravel, water) can change.
Let’s look at each of these in more detail.
Evaluating Concrete Mix Types and Strength
The concrete mix cost Ohio varies depending on what goes into it and how strong it needs to be.
Different projects need different strengths.
- For a simple patio or walkway: You might use a lower strength concrete, perhaps 2500 PSI. This concrete mix cost Ohio less than stronger mixes.
- For a driveway: You need more strength because cars will drive on it. 3000 PSI or 3500 PSI is common. This costs a bit more per cubic yard concrete cost Ohio.
- For a foundation or structural wall: You need much higher strength, maybe 4000 PSI or even more. This concrete mix costs more because it uses more cement and sometimes different types of rock.
Higher PSI concrete costs more because it uses a different ratio of materials. More cement is usually needed to make the concrete stronger. Cement is the most expensive part of the mix.
Additives and Admixtures Explained
Sometimes, things are added to the basic concrete mix to change its properties. These are called additives or admixtures. They add to the concrete cost per yard Ohio.
Common additives include:
- Air Entrainment: This puts tiny air bubbles in the concrete. It makes the concrete handle freezing and thawing better, which is very important in Ohio’s climate. It costs a little extra but is worth it for outdoor concrete.
- Fiber Mesh: Small fibers (plastic or steel) are added to the mix. They help reduce cracking as the concrete dries. This is common for driveways and patios. It adds to the cubic yard concrete cost Ohio.
- Water Reducers: These chemicals make the concrete more flowable without adding more water. Too much water makes concrete weaker. Water reducers help make strong, workable concrete. They can add a bit to the price.
- Accelerators or Retarders: These change how fast the concrete sets (gets hard). Accelerators are used in cold weather to speed things up. Retarders are used in hot weather to slow things down, giving workers more time. Using these will increase the ready mix concrete price Ohio.
- Color Pigments: If you want colored concrete, pigments are added. This significantly increases the price.
Adding any of these special ingredients increases the price per yard.
Impact of Quantity on Price
Concrete suppliers give discounts when you buy more concrete. The cost per yard concrete Ohio goes down as the total number of yards goes up.
- Small Jobs: If you only need 1 or 2 cubic yards, the cost per yard will be higher. You might also pay a “short load fee.” This fee covers the supplier’s cost for sending a large truck for a small amount of concrete. Short load fees can add $100 to $300 or more to the total bill.
- Medium Jobs: Needing 5-10 cubic yards usually gets rid of the short load fee, and the price per yard starts to come down a bit.
- Large Jobs: Projects needing 20, 50, or even hundreds of cubic yards get the best prices per yard.
So, if you only need a small amount, the concrete cost per yard Ohio will feel higher than the average price often quoted for larger jobs.
Deciphering Concrete Delivery Costs Ohio
Getting the concrete from the plant to your job site is a big part of the price of concrete delivered Ohio. Delivery costs depend on:
- Distance: The further the plant is from your project, the more delivery costs. Suppliers usually have zones or charge per mile past a certain distance (like 10-20 miles from the plant).
- Time: Concrete trucks can only carry concrete for a limited time before it starts to set. If the job site is far away, it limits the number of trips a truck can make in a day.
- Location: Is your site easy to get to? Is it in a busy city area with traffic delays or out in the country? Easy access can mean lower delivery costs. Difficult access might add fees or even require a different method (like a concrete pump).
- Minimum Order: Suppliers often have a minimum number of yards for delivery without a short load fee. If you order less than this minimum, the short load fee makes the delivery portion of the cost much higher per yard.
The delivery fee might be a flat rate for local delivery, a per-mile charge, or factored into the overall concrete price per yard Ohio quote. Always ask how delivery is calculated.
Timing and Market Influences
When you order concrete can also affect the price.
- Time of Day/Week: Some suppliers charge extra for deliveries very early in the morning, late in the afternoon, on weekends, or holidays.
- Season: Construction is busiest in the warmer months (spring, summer, fall). During peak season, demand is high, and prices might be a bit higher. In the slower winter months (if plants are open), you might find slightly lower prices, but you also have to deal with cold-weather concrete issues (like needing accelerators and protection).
- Fuel Costs: The price of diesel fuel affects the cost of running the concrete trucks. If fuel prices go up, concrete delivery cost Ohio is likely to increase.
- Raw Material Costs: The prices of cement, sand, gravel, and water fluctuate. These changes affect the concrete prices in Ohio from all suppliers.
Average Concrete Price Ohio Ranges
Given all these factors, what is a typical cost for a yard of concrete Ohio?
As mentioned, the base price for standard 3000-PSI ready-mix concrete often falls between $110 and $160 per cubic yard, not including extra fees or significant delivery distance.
Here’s a rough breakdown of how prices might vary:
- Basic Mix (2500-3000 PSI): $110 – $140 per yard
- Standard Mix (3500-4000 PSI): $120 – $150 per yard
- Higher Strength Mixes (4000+ PSI): $130 – $170+ per yard
- With Common Additives (Air Entrainment, Fiber Mesh): Add $5 – $20 per yard
- With Special Additives (Water Reducer, Accelerator): Add $10 – $30+ per yard
- Short Load Fee (for small orders, e.g., 1-5 yards): Add $100 – $300+ per load
Example Price Ranges (These are estimates and vary widely):
| Concrete Type | Approximate Price Range Per Yard (Ohio) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3000 PSI Plain Ready-Mix | $110 – $140 | Standard for driveways, patios |
| 3000 PSI with Air & Fiber | $120 – $150 | Common for outdoor Ohio concrete |
| 4000 PSI Plain Ready-Mix | $120 – $150 | For foundations, structural work |
| 4000 PSI with Air & Fiber | $130 – $160 | Strong outdoor slabs |
| Very High Strength (5000+ PSI) | $140 – $170+ | Specialized projects |
Note: These prices typically assume a standard delivery distance and a reasonable order size (e.g., 6+ yards) to avoid short load fees. They also do NOT include costs for pumping, finishing, or site preparation.
The price of concrete delivered Ohio will be the sum of the cubic yard concrete cost Ohio based on your mix plus the concrete delivery cost Ohio.
Extra Costs Beyond the Price Per Yard
The price you pay for the concrete itself is only part of the total cost for your project. There are other potential costs:
- Short Load Fee: As mentioned, if you order less than the supplier’s minimum (often 6-10 yards), you pay extra.
- Wait Time: Concrete trucks can only wait at your site for a limited time (often 30-60 minutes per truck). If unloading takes longer because the crew isn’t ready, you might be charged a wait-time fee per hour. This fee can be significant ($100+ per hour).
- Concrete Pumping: If the truck cannot get close enough to pour the concrete directly where you need it, you might need a concrete pump truck. This is a separate service and can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the size and difficulty of the job. This is not part of the standard concrete price per yard Ohio.
- Wheelbarrowing: If you don’t use a pump and the truck can’t reach, workers will need to move the concrete by wheelbarrow. This takes time and labor, adding to your overall project cost.
- Finishing: Once the concrete is poured, it needs to be leveled, floated, and possibly troweled to create the final surface. This is skilled labor and adds to the project cost.
- Site Preparation: Digging, grading, building forms, and laying gravel base are all costs that happen before the concrete arrives. These are not included in the cubic yard concrete cost Ohio.
- Reinforcement: Rebar or wire mesh is often placed in the concrete to add strength and control cracking. This material and the labor to install it are separate costs.
When getting quotes, make sure you understand exactly what is included in the concrete cost per yard Ohio and what extra fees might apply. Ask specifically about minimum loads, delivery distance charges, and wait times.
Ready-Mix vs. Mixing On-Site
Most residential and commercial concrete projects in Ohio use ready-mix concrete.
This means the concrete is mixed at a plant and delivered ready to pour in a specialized truck.
-
Ready-Mix Benefits:
- Consistent quality: The mix is precise and controlled.
- Convenience: It arrives ready to use.
- Speed: Large amounts can be delivered quickly.
- For projects needing more than a few yards, it’s almost always cheaper and more practical than mixing yourself.
- This is where the ready mix concrete price Ohio comes from.
-
Mixing On-Site:
- This involves buying bags of concrete mix or separate materials (cement, sand, gravel) and mixing them with water in a small mixer.
- Only practical for very small jobs, like setting a few fence posts or doing a small repair.
- For anything larger than maybe half a yard, mixing on-site becomes extremely labor-intensive, inconsistent in quality, and often ends up costing more than ready-mix when you factor in the cost of materials, mixer rental, and labor time.
So, when discussing concrete prices in Ohio for most projects, we are talking about the ready mix concrete price Ohio.
Finding a Concrete Price Calculator Ohio
While there isn’t one official concrete price calculator Ohio that covers all suppliers, many concrete companies in Ohio have their own calculators or forms on their websites.
These tools help you:
- Estimate Volume: Figure out how many cubic yards you need based on your project dimensions (length x width x thickness).
- Get a Rough Cost Estimate: Input the volume, maybe the desired strength, and your location (zip code). The calculator provides a rough price range.
- How to Use One:
- Measure your area: Get accurate length, width, and thickness (in feet).
- Convert thickness to feet: If your thickness is in inches (e.g., 4 inches), divide by 12 (4/12 = 0.33 feet).
- Calculate volume in cubic feet: Length * Width * Thickness (in feet).
- Convert cubic feet to cubic yards: Divide the cubic feet by 27 (since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet). This gives you the number of cubic yards.
- Add a little extra: It’s smart to order 5-10% more concrete than your calculation shows. This accounts for uneven ground, spills, or miscalculations. It’s much better to have a little too much than not enough. This extra amount adds to your total cost for a yard of concrete Ohio.
- Use the online calculator: Enter your calculated volume and location details.
Remember, online calculators give estimates. For a firm quote, you must contact a concrete supplier directly.
Getting Accurate Concrete Quotes in Ohio
To know the actual cost for a yard of concrete Ohio for your specific project, you need to contact local ready-mix concrete suppliers.
Here’s what to do:
-
Know Your Needs:
- How many cubic yards do you need? (Have your calculation ready, including the extra for safety).
- What concrete strength (PSI) do you need? (Your contractor or project plans should specify this).
- Do you need any additives (air entrainment, fiber mesh)? (Essential for outdoor Ohio concrete).
- What is the delivery address? (They need this to figure out the delivery cost Ohio).
- When do you need the concrete? (Date and approximate time).
- How will the concrete be unloaded? (Direct pour from truck chute, wheelbarrowing, or pump truck?).
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Find Local Suppliers: Search online for “ready mix concrete near me Ohio” or “concrete suppliers [Your City/County] Ohio”.
- Call or Request Quotes Online: Contact several suppliers (at least 2-3) to compare prices.
- Ask Specific Questions:
- What is your concrete cost per yard Ohio for the mix I need?
- Is there a minimum order size? What is the short load fee if I order less?
- How is the concrete delivery cost Ohio calculated for my address? Is it a flat fee or per mile?
- What is the allowed wait time per truck? What is the charge for extra wait time?
- Do you offer [specific additive, e.g., fiber mesh] and what is the extra cost per yard?
- What are your payment terms?
Getting multiple quotes helps you find the best price and understand the breakdown of the ready mix concrete price Ohio, including the concrete delivery cost Ohio.
Why Prices Vary Across Ohio Regions
The concrete prices in Ohio can differ slightly depending on the specific area.
- Supply and Demand: In areas with a lot of construction happening (like major cities), there might be more suppliers, which can create competition and potentially lower prices. However, high demand can also drive prices up during peak times. In rural areas, there might be fewer suppliers, meaning higher delivery costs due to longer travel distances.
- Cost of Materials: The cost of getting sand, gravel, and cement to different parts of the state can vary slightly, affecting the local concrete mix cost Ohio.
- Local Competition: The number of concrete plants and their pricing strategies in a specific region play a big role in the average concrete price Ohio for that area.
While the statewide average concrete price Ohio is a good starting point, expect some variation between Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Dayton, and other parts of the state. The cost for a yard of concrete Ohio will be most accurate when quoted by a local supplier.
Saving Money on Ohio Concrete Costs
Concrete is a major expense for many projects. Here are some ways to potentially save money on your concrete cost per yard Ohio:
- Order the Right Amount: Over-ordering means you pay for concrete you don’t use. Under-ordering means you might need a second, expensive small delivery (and likely a short load fee), or you might have to stop the job. Calculate carefully and add just a little extra (5-10%).
- Prepare the Site Properly: Make sure your forms are built, the base is ready, and access for the truck is clear before the concrete arrives. This minimizes wait time and avoids expensive demurrage fees.
- Have Enough Help: Make sure you have enough people to quickly and efficiently place and finish the concrete once it’s poured. This also reduces wait time.
- Pour During Standard Hours: Avoid needing concrete on weekends, holidays, or very early/late in the day, as these often come with extra charges.
- Combine Pours if Possible: If you have multiple small concrete jobs, see if you can do them all at once to meet the minimum delivery amount and avoid short load fees.
- Compare Quotes: Always get quotes from several different concrete suppliers. The ready mix concrete price Ohio can vary between companies.
- Consider Off-Peak Season: If your project timing is flexible, sometimes getting concrete in the less busy parts of the year might offer small savings, though weather can be a challenge.
- Confirm the Mix: Make sure you are ordering the correct strength and additives specified for your project. Don’t pay for higher strength or additives you don’t need.
By planning ahead and being efficient, you can help keep the concrete delivery cost Ohio and overall concrete prices in Ohio for your project in check.
Summarizing the Cost for a Yard of Concrete Ohio
To sum up, the cost for a yard of concrete Ohio, specifically the ready mix concrete price Ohio delivered, is influenced by:
- The required strength (PSI) and concrete mix cost Ohio.
- Whether special additives are needed.
- The total quantity of concrete ordered (affecting the base price and short load fees).
- The distance and time it takes for the concrete delivery cost Ohio.
- Current market conditions and the time of year.
- Any extra fees for wait time, pumping, or difficult access.
While a rough average concrete price Ohio is $110-$160 per yard for standard mixes and reasonable quantities, your actual cubic yard concrete cost Ohio delivered could be lower for very large jobs or higher for small jobs, specialized mixes, or long delivery distances.
Always get detailed quotes from local suppliers based on your specific project needs to get the most accurate understanding of the concrete cost per yard Ohio for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Costs in Ohio
h4 What is a cubic yard of concrete?
A cubic yard is a measure of volume equal to a box that is 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet high. It holds 27 cubic feet of material. Concrete is bought and sold by the cubic yard.
h4 How much does one cubic yard of concrete weigh?
One cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4,000 pounds, or 2 tons. This is why it’s delivered by heavy-duty trucks.
h4 Why do I need air entrainment in my concrete in Ohio?
Ohio has freezing temperatures in the winter. Air entrainment adds tiny air bubbles to the concrete. These bubbles give freezing water a place to expand within the concrete, preventing cracks and damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles. It’s highly recommended for any outdoor concrete in Ohio.
h4 Is the delivery cost included in the price per yard?
Often, the quoted concrete cost per yard Ohio assumes a standard delivery distance (e.g., within 10 or 20 miles of the plant). You need to specifically ask how the concrete delivery cost Ohio is calculated for your address. It might be included up to a certain distance, or it might be an extra charge based on mileage or zones.
h4 What is a short load fee?
A short load fee is an extra charge applied when you order less concrete than the supplier’s minimum delivery amount (often 6 to 10 cubic yards). This fee covers the cost for the supplier to send a large truck for a small order. It significantly increases the cost per yard for small jobs.
h4 How do I figure out how much concrete I need?
Measure the length, width, and planned thickness of your area in feet. Multiply these three numbers together to get the volume in cubic feet. Then, divide the total cubic feet by 27 to get the number of cubic yards. It’s wise to add 5-10% to this number when ordering to account for errors or site variations.
h4 Can I mix my own concrete instead of buying ready-mix?
You can mix your own concrete from bags for very small jobs, like setting a few posts. However, for anything more than about half a cubic yard, ready-mix concrete is usually more cost-effective, faster, and provides more consistent quality than trying to mix a large amount by hand or with a small mixer. The labor and material cost for mixing a large amount yourself often exceeds the ready mix concrete price Ohio.
h4 What is the difference between 3000 PSI and 4000 PSI concrete?
PSI stands for Pounds per Square Inch and measures the concrete’s strength after it has cured (hardened) for a specific time (usually 28 days). 4000 PSI concrete is stronger than 3000 PSI concrete. Higher strength concrete is needed for projects that will bear heavier loads or require more durability, like foundations or industrial floors, and costs more per yard.
h4 Do concrete prices in Ohio change throughout the year?
Yes, prices can change slightly. The busiest time for concrete work is usually the warmer months. High demand during this peak season can sometimes lead to slightly higher prices compared to slower times. Fuel costs also affect the concrete delivery cost Ohio and can cause price changes.
h4 What other costs should I budget for besides the concrete?
You should budget for site preparation (digging, grading, forms, base material), reinforcement (rebar or mesh), labor for placing and finishing the concrete, and potentially equipment rental like a concrete pump or specialized finishing tools. These costs are separate from the cubic yard concrete cost Ohio.