So, how much does one cubic yard of concrete cost? A typical price for one cubic yard of standard ready mix concrete can range from about $100 to $150. But this is just the base concrete price per yard. The final cost of concrete per yard can go higher, sometimes much higher, depending on many things like where you live, the type of concrete you need, and if delivery is included. This figure mainly covers the material cost for concrete itself.
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Getting Started with Concrete Costs
Concrete is used for many things. You see it in driveways, patios, footings, and foundations. If you are planning a project that needs concrete, you will want to know the cost. The price of concrete is usually given per cubic yard. A cubic yard is a measure of volume. It is like a box that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high. This big box holds one cubic yard.
Knowing the cost per cubic yard helps you plan. But the price can change. Many things make the price go up or down. We will look at these things. We will also learn how to figure out how much concrete you need. This helps you know your total material cost.
Grasping the Cubic Yard
Why do concrete companies sell concrete by the cubic yard? This is the standard way to measure large amounts of concrete. It is a simple unit of volume. Think of a box. If the box is 3 feet on all sides (length, width, height), its volume is 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet. This is 27 cubic feet. One cubic yard is always equal to 27 cubic feet.
Most home projects use just a few cubic yards. A small patio might take 2 cubic yards. A standard driveway might need 5 to 10 cubic yards. Bigger jobs, like a house foundation, need many more cubic yards. Knowing the cubic yard helps you talk to concrete suppliers. They will ask you how many cubic yards you need.
Typical Ready Mix Concrete Cost
Let’s talk more about the base price. Ready mix concrete is mixed at a plant. Trucks bring it to your job site. This is the most common way to get concrete for home projects. The ready mix concrete cost per cubic yard usually falls into the $100 to $150 range for a basic mix.
This price is for a standard mix. A standard mix is often 3000 psi concrete. PSI means “pounds per square inch”. It measures the strength of the concrete after it dries. 3000 psi is common for things like patios or walkways. Stronger concrete costs more.
So, the $100 to $150 is a starting point. It is the material cost for concrete. But it does not include getting it to your home or putting it in place.
What Affects the Cost?
Many things change the concrete price per yard. The base mix is just one part. Here are the main things that make the price go up or down:
- Strength of Concrete: Stronger concrete (like 4000 psi or 5000 psi) needs more cement. Cement is the expensive part of concrete. So, higher strength means a higher cost per yard.
- Mix Design: Sometimes you need special concrete. Maybe it needs to dry fast. Maybe it needs to be more flowable. Special mixes cost more. They might use special additives.
- Additives: Things can be added to concrete to change how it acts.
- Fibers: These tiny fibers help make the concrete stronger and less likely to crack. Adding fibers costs extra.
- Air Entrainment: This puts tiny air bubbles in the concrete. It helps the concrete stand up to freezing and thawing cycles. This is important in cold places. It adds a little to the cost.
- Water Reducers: These make the concrete more flowable without adding more water. This can make placing easier. They cost extra.
- Color Pigments: Want colored concrete? Adding color costs extra per yard.
- Location: Concrete costs change based on where you are. Prices are different in big cities compared to rural areas. Prices change between states or regions.
- Distance from Plant: The farther the concrete truck has to drive, the more it costs. This is part of the concrete delivery price.
- Order Size: Concrete companies often have a minimum order size. It might be 2 or 3 cubic yards. If you need less than the minimum, you might pay extra fees. If you need a very large amount, you might get a small discount per yard, but not always.
- Fuel Costs: The price of gas and diesel affects how much trucks cost to run. This changes the delivery price.
- Time of Year: In some places, concrete work slows down in winter. Prices might change based on the season.
Examples of Base Costs by Strength
Here is a rough idea of how strength affects the concrete price per yard (material cost only):
- 2500 psi: $90 – $130 per cubic yard (good for light-duty like sidewalks)
- 3000 psi: $100 – $150 per cubic yard (common for patios, driveways)
- 4000 psi: $110 – $170 per cubic yard (good for foundations, stronger slabs)
- 5000+ psi: $120 – $200+ per cubic yard (for heavy-duty use)
Remember, these are just estimates for the material cost for concrete itself, before delivery or other charges.
Interpreting Concrete Delivery Price
Getting the concrete from the plant to your site costs money. This is the concrete delivery price. It is a big part of the total cost. Delivery can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per truck. Sometimes, the first certain distance (like 20 miles) is included, and then they charge more per mile after that.
Delivery trucks are heavy. They use a lot of fuel. The driver’s time costs money. These things add up to the delivery fee.
Factors in Delivery Price
- Distance: This is the main factor. Longer drives cost more.
- Amount of Concrete: Usually, one truck can carry up to 9 or 10 cubic yards. If you need 15 cubic yards, you might need two trucks. You pay the delivery fee per truck.
- Wait Time: Concrete trucks cannot wait too long at your site. You need to be ready to pour when they arrive. If the truck has to wait a long time (like over 45 minutes or an hour), the company might charge you a waiting fee. This can be $50 to $100 per hour.
- Short Loads: If your order is smaller than the truck’s capacity (like only 3 yards on a truck that can hold 9), some companies charge a “short load” fee. This covers the cost of sending a large truck for a small amount. This fee could be $25 to $50 or more.
When you call for a quote, always ask about the concrete delivery price. Ask if it is included in the per-yard price or separate. Ask about minimum order size and potential short load fees.
Calculating How Much Concrete Needed
Before you order concrete, you must know how much you need. Ordering too little means delaying your project and paying extra for a second small delivery. Ordering too much means wasting money. This is where concrete estimating comes in. You need to calculate the volume of your project in cubic yards.
You can use a concrete volume calculator, or you can do the math yourself. The math is simple if you break it down.
Steps for Concrete Estimating
- Measure Your Area: Measure the length, width, and thickness (or height) of the area where you need concrete. Use feet or inches for your measurements.
- Make Units Match: All your measurements must be in the same units. It is easiest to work in feet. If you measured in inches, divide the inches by 12 to get feet. For example, 4 inches thick is 4 / 12 = 0.333 feet. 6 inches thick is 6 / 12 = 0.5 feet.
- Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet: Multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in feet) by the thickness (in feet). This gives you the volume in cubic feet.
- Volume (cubic feet) = Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Thickness (ft)
- Convert to Cubic Yards: Remember that one cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. So, divide your volume in cubic feet by 27.
- Volume (cubic yards) = Volume (cubic feet) / 27
Example Calculation: A Simple Slab
Let’s say you want a concrete patio. It will be:
* Length: 10 feet
* Width: 12 feet
* Thickness: 4 inches
Step 1: Measure – Done (10 ft, 12 ft, 4 inches).
Step 2: Make Units Match – Convert inches to feet. 4 inches / 12 inches/foot = 0.333 feet.
Step 3: Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet – 10 ft x 12 ft x 0.333 ft = 39.96 cubic feet.
Step 4: Convert to Cubic Yards – 39.96 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet/yard = 1.48 cubic yards.
So, for this patio, you need about 1.5 cubic yards of concrete.
Another Example: A Sidewalk
Let’s say you want a sidewalk. It will be:
* Length: 50 feet
* Width: 3 feet
* Thickness: 6 inches
Step 1: Measure – Done (50 ft, 3 ft, 6 inches).
Step 2: Make Units Match – Convert inches to feet. 6 inches / 12 inches/foot = 0.5 feet.
Step 3: Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet – 50 ft x 3 ft x 0.5 ft = 75 cubic feet.
Step 4: Convert to Cubic Yards – 75 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet/yard = 2.78 cubic yards.
For this sidewalk, you need about 2.8 cubic yards.
Accounting for Waste and Uneven Ground
It is smart to order a little extra concrete. Ground is rarely perfectly flat. The formwork might not be perfect. Some concrete might spill. Most people add 5% to 10% extra to their calculation. This is called the waste factor or safety factor.
Let’s go back to the patio example needing 1.48 cubic yards. If you add 10% for waste:
1.48 cubic yards * 0.10 = 0.148 cubic yards (this is the extra amount)
1.48 cubic yards + 0.148 cubic yards = 1.628 cubic yards total.
Most concrete companies sell in quarter-yard steps (like 1.5, 1.75, 2.0). So, you would likely order 1.75 cubic yards.
This waste factor helps ensure you do not come up short on concrete day. Getting the concrete needed exactly right is key for concrete estimating.
Cubic Yard Concrete Coverage
The calculation above also tells you about cubic yard concrete coverage. It tells you how much area one cubic yard covers at a certain thickness.
We know 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.
If your concrete is 1 foot thick, 1 cubic yard covers 27 square feet (1 ft x 27 sq ft = 27 cu ft).
If your concrete is 6 inches (0.5 feet) thick, 1 cubic yard covers 54 square feet (0.5 ft x 54 sq ft = 27 cu ft).
If your concrete is 4 inches (0.333 feet) thick, 1 cubic yard covers about 81 square feet (0.333 ft x 81 sq ft ≈ 27 cu ft).
Knowing the cubic yard concrete coverage for your planned thickness helps double-check your estimate. For our patio example, the area is 10 ft x 12 ft = 120 sq ft. At 4 inches thick (about 81 sq ft per yard), 120 sq ft / 81 sq ft/yard = 1.48 yards. The numbers match!
Using a concrete volume calculator online can help. Just type in your dimensions (length, width, thickness) and the tool does the math for you, giving you the volume in cubic yards. Still, knowing the math yourself is helpful for concrete estimating.
Total Material Cost for Concrete
Now that we know the price per yard and how many yards you need, we can figure out the total material cost for concrete.
Let’s use the patio example needing 1.75 cubic yards (including waste).
Assume the concrete price per yard is $130 for a standard mix.
Material Cost = Number of Yards x Price per Yard
Material Cost = 1.75 cubic yards x $130/cubic yard = $227.50
This $227.50 is just for the concrete itself. You still need to add the delivery price.
Let’s say the delivery price is a flat fee of $150 for the truck carrying your 1.75 yards.
Total Cost (Material + Delivery) = Material Cost + Delivery Price
Total Cost = $227.50 + $150.00 = $377.50
So, the cost to get the concrete material to your site is about $377.50 in this example. This number can vary greatly based on the factors we discussed.
Figuring Out the Cost to Pour Concrete
The cost to pour concrete is much more than just the material and delivery. Pouring concrete involves site preparation, setting up forms, placing the concrete, finishing it, and curing it.
If you are doing the work yourself (DIY), you save on labor costs. But you still have costs for tools, form materials (wood or plastic), and possibly renting equipment like a concrete mixer (if you don’t use ready mix) or power tools for finishing.
If you hire a contractor, the cost to pour concrete includes all their labor, expertise, tools, and sometimes the material cost is bundled in their quote. This is usually priced per square foot or as a total job price.
What Does the Cost to Pour Include?
When a contractor gives you a price to pour concrete, it often covers:
- Site Preparation: Digging, grading, and compacting the ground.
- Formwork: Building the frame that holds the concrete in shape.
- Reinforcement: Placing rebar (steel bars) or mesh if needed for strength.
- Ordering & Receiving Concrete: Handling the concrete delivery price and timing.
- Placing: Pouring the concrete into the forms.
- Finishing: Making the surface smooth, textured, or decorative. This can include screeding, floating, troweling. Special finishes like stamping or exposed aggregate cost more.
- Control Joints: Cutting or tooling lines in the concrete to help control where cracks form.
- Curing: Applying water or a curing compound to help the concrete dry slowly and get strong.
Contractor Costs per Square Foot
Contractors often quote concrete pouring jobs by the square foot. The price per square foot varies a lot based on the thickness, complexity, and finish.
- Basic 4-inch Slab (patio, walkway): $4 to $8 per square foot.
- Thicker Slab (driveway, garage floor): $5 to $10 per square foot.
- Foundation or Footings: Can be $8 to $15+ per square foot (often priced differently due to depth and complexity).
- Special Finishes (stamped, colored): Can add $3 to $10+ per square foot to the basic price.
Let’s use our patio example again: 10 ft x 12 ft = 120 sq ft.
If the contractor charges $6 per square foot for a basic 4-inch slab:
Total Pouring Cost = 120 sq ft x $6/sq ft = $720.
This $720 usually includes the material cost for concrete and delivery, plus all the labor and other steps. So, the total project cost might be $720, not just the $377.50 material cost we calculated earlier. It is very important to ask a contractor what their price includes. Does it include concrete? Does it include site prep?
Comparing the cost to pour concrete versus DIY shows where the money goes. Labor and expertise make up a large part of the cost when you hire someone.
Concrete Estimating: Getting Accurate Quotes
To get an accurate idea of your total project cost, you need to do careful concrete estimating. Do not just guess.
Steps for Good Concrete Estimating
- Define Your Project Clearly: What are you building? What size? What thickness? What type of finish do you want? Do you need reinforcement?
- Measure Accurately: Use a tape measure to get length, width, and thickness. Write down the numbers.
- Calculate Volume: Use the steps we discussed or a reliable concrete volume calculator to find the cubic yards needed. Add a waste factor (5-10%). Round up to the nearest quarter yard for ordering.
- Research Material Cost: Call local ready mix concrete suppliers. Ask for the concrete price per yard for the strength you need. Ask about common additives and their cost.
- Get Delivery Price: Ask suppliers about their concrete delivery price. Is it a flat fee? Per mile? What is the minimum order? Are there short load fees?
- Estimate Material + Delivery: Calculate the total cost to get the concrete to your site based on the yards needed and the delivery fee. This is your material cost for concrete delivered.
- Estimate Labor/Pouring Costs: If DIY, list all tools and materials you need to buy or rent (forms, rebar, tools, curing compound). If hiring a contractor, get quotes from several different companies.
- Compare Quotes: Look at the total price. Make sure the quotes include everything you need. Does it cover excavation? Rebar? Finishing? Cleanup?
- Add a Buffer: It is wise to add another 10-15% to your total estimated cost for unexpected issues.
Getting several quotes (at least 3) for ready mix concrete cost and for the cost to pour concrete (if hiring) helps you compare prices and understand the local market.
Saving Money on Concrete Projects
Concrete can be expensive, but there are ways to save money:
- Accurate Estimating: Order the right amount! Over-ordering or under-ordering costs extra. Use a concrete volume calculator carefully and add only a reasonable waste factor (5-10%).
- Check for Minimums: If you have a very small project, needing less than a cubic yard, ready mix might not be cost-effective due to short load fees or minimum order sizes. For tiny jobs, buying bags of concrete mix from a hardware store and mixing it yourself might be cheaper, but it is hard work for anything more than very small repairs.
- Be Ready for Delivery: Avoid truck waiting fees. Have your site ready, forms built, and tools lined up before the truck arrives.
- Consider Alternative Mixes: Do you really need 4000 psi concrete for a simple walkway? Using a lower strength mix where appropriate saves money on the concrete price per yard.
- Plan Delivery Logistics: If you need multiple loads for a large job, plan the timing so trucks arrive steadily, but not so fast that your crew can’t handle it. Avoid large gaps that might cause cold joints in the concrete.
- DIY vs. Hiring: For very simple jobs and if you are able, doing it yourself saves labor costs. But concrete work is hard and requires skill to get a good result. For anything complex or structural, hiring a pro is usually worth the cost to pour concrete.
- Get Multiple Quotes: Always shop around for the best concrete price per yard and concrete delivery price from different suppliers. Also get multiple quotes if you are hiring a contractor for the cost to pour concrete.
Deciphering Concrete Slump
When you order ready mix concrete, the supplier will ask about “slump.” Slump is a measure of how wet or flowable the concrete is. A higher slump means wetter, more flowable concrete. A lower slump means stiffer concrete.
Slump is measured by filling a cone-shaped mold with concrete and lifting it. The distance the concrete sinks down is the slump (measured in inches).
- Low Slump (2-4 inches): Stiffer mix. Good for slopes or paving machines. Harder to place by hand.
- Medium Slump (4-6 inches): Common for most slabs, footings, and general use. Good balance of workability and strength.
- High Slump (6-8 inches): Very wet mix. Easier to place, especially in tight forms or around lots of rebar. Often needs water reducers to achieve high slump without adding too much water, which weakens the concrete.
Standard concrete usually has a slump around 4-6 inches. If you ask for a higher slump without paying for water reducers, they might just add more water. Too much water weakens the concrete and can lead to problems like cracking and dusting. Always discuss the right slump for your project with the concrete supplier or your contractor.
Considering Added Services
Beyond the material cost for concrete and the concrete delivery price, other services can add to the cost:
- Concrete Pump: For areas hard to reach with a truck chute, you might need a concrete pump truck. This is a separate machine that pumps concrete through a hose. Pumping costs extra, often several hundred dollars for a half-day or day.
- Boom Truck: A pump truck with a long arm (boom) can reach very far. This is more expensive than a line pump.
- Wheelbarrow Service: Some companies offer to wheelbarrow the concrete from the truck to the pour site for an extra fee, though this is less common.
- Hot Water/Heated Concrete: In very cold weather, concrete might need to be heated. This costs extra.
- Accelerators/Retarders: Chemicals can be added to make concrete set faster (accelerator) or slower (retarder). These cost extra per yard.
Always ask your supplier or contractor about any potential extra charges for these services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much concrete is in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet of concrete. This is the same as a box that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high.
What is the typical concrete price per yard?
For basic ready mix concrete, the material cost is often $100 to $150 per cubic yard. However, this price can change based on strength, additives, location, and delivery.
How do I calculate concrete needed for my project?
Measure the length, width, and thickness of the 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 volume in cubic yards. Add 5-10% extra for waste. Using a concrete volume calculator online can also help.
Does the cost of concrete per yard include delivery?
Sometimes, but often the concrete delivery price is a separate fee added to the material cost. Always ask the concrete supplier for a clear breakdown. Delivery fees vary based on distance and the amount ordered.
What is the difference between material cost for concrete and cost to pour concrete?
The material cost for concrete is just the price of the concrete mix itself, usually given per cubic yard. The cost to pour concrete includes the material, delivery, plus labor, site preparation, formwork, finishing, and curing if you hire a contractor.
Can I buy less than a cubic yard of ready mix concrete?
Many ready mix companies have a minimum order, often 2 or 3 cubic yards. If you need less, they might still deliver but charge a “short load” fee, which makes the cost per yard very high. For very small amounts, buying bags of concrete mix from a store might be better.
How does concrete strength affect the price?
Higher strength concrete (like 4000 psi or more) costs more per cubic yard than standard strength concrete (like 3000 psi) because it requires more cement and sometimes special additives.
In Summary: Cost Factors and Estimating
Knowing the cost of concrete per yard is the first step in planning your budget. A cubic yard of standard ready mix concrete typically costs $100 to $150 for the material. But the final price you pay for one cubic yard can change a lot. Factors like the concrete’s strength, special things added to the mix, how far the truck travels (concrete delivery price), and the size of your order all play a role.
To figure out your total material cost for concrete, you must first calculate how much you need. Use a concrete volume calculator or the simple math (Length x Width x Thickness in feet, then divide by 27). Always add a bit extra (5-10%) for waste. This gives you the cubic yard concrete coverage needed. Multiply the cubic yards by the concrete price per yard, and add the concrete delivery price. This gives you the total cost to get the material there.
If you are hiring someone, the cost to pour concrete includes all their work on top of the material cost. Get detailed quotes for concrete estimating to understand the full price. By understanding these costs and planning carefully, you can better manage your budget for any concrete project.