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How To Order Concrete By The Yard: Your Complete Guide
Ordering concrete by the yard is how many people get the material they need for projects like patios, driveways, or foundations. A cubic yard of concrete is a standard measure. It is a box 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high. Knowing how to figure out how much concrete you need, finding a good concrete supplier, and arranging concrete delivery are all important steps. This guide will walk you through the process simply.
Figure Out How Much Concrete You Need
How much concrete do I need for my project? This is the very first question you must answer. Getting the right amount is key. You don’t want too little concrete. That stops your work. You also don’t want too much concrete. That wastes money and is hard to get rid of. Concrete is measured in cubic yards. One cubic yard concrete fills a space 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet.
To figure out how much concrete you need, you must measure your project area.
Most projects are flat areas. Think of a square or a rectangle.
You need three measurements:
* Length
* Width
* Thickness (or depth)
Measure these in feet.
Let’s say you are pouring a patio.
Measure how long it will be.
Measure how wide it will be.
Measure how thick you want the concrete to be. Driveways are often 4 inches thick. Patios might be 4 inches thick too. Slabs for heavy things might be 6 inches thick or more.
You need all measurements in feet.
Length in feet.
Width in feet.
Thickness in feet.
If your thickness is in inches, you must change it to feet.
There are 12 inches in 1 foot.
To change inches to feet, divide the inches by 12.
* 4 inches is 4 / 12 = 0.333 feet (about)
* 6 inches is 6 / 12 = 0.5 feet
* 8 inches is 8 / 12 = 0.667 feet (about)
Once you have length, width, and thickness all in feet, you can find the volume.
Volume is Length x Width x Thickness.
This gives you the volume in cubic feet.
Example:
Patio is 20 feet long.
Patio is 10 feet wide.
Patio is 4 inches thick.
Change thickness to feet: 4 inches / 12 = 0.333 feet.
Volume in cubic feet = 20 feet x 10 feet x 0.333 feet = 66.6 cubic feet.
Now you have cubic feet. Concrete is sold by the cubic yard.
You need to change cubic feet to cubic yards.
One cubic yard is 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet = 27 cubic feet.
To change cubic feet to cubic yards, divide cubic feet by 27.
Example continued:
Volume is 66.6 cubic feet.
Volume in cubic yards = 66.6 / 27 = 2.46 cubic yards.
So, for a 20ft x 10ft patio, 4 inches thick, you need about 2.46 cubic yards of concrete.
Using a Concrete Calculator
Doing the math can be tricky. Luckily, there are tools to help. A concrete calculator is a very useful tool. You can find many concrete calculator tools online.
How does a concrete calculator work?
You put in your measurements.
Usually, you put in:
* Length (feet or inches)
* Width (feet or inches)
* Thickness (inches is common)
* Sometimes, it asks for the shape (square/rectangle, circle, post holes, etc.)
The concrete calculator does the math for you.
It figures out the cubic feet.
Then it changes cubic feet to cubic yards.
It will tell you how many cubic yards you need.
This makes figuring out how much concrete you need much easier and helps prevent mistakes. Always measure carefully before using the calculator.
Adding a Little Extra
It is almost always a good idea to order a little more concrete than the calculator says. Why?
* The ground might not be perfectly flat.
* Your measurements might be slightly off.
* There might be a small spill.
* You might need a little extra to fill low spots.
Ordering slightly too much is better than ordering too little. If you order too little, the concrete truck might have to leave. Then you have to order another small load. Small loads cost more per yard. They might also have a minimum concrete order charge. Plus, the new concrete might not mix perfectly with the old concrete if it has started to set.
How much extra?
Many people add about 10% to their total needed amount.
If the concrete calculator says you need 2.5 cubic yards, adding 10% means adding 0.25 cubic yards (2.5 * 0.10).
Total needed would be 2.5 + 0.25 = 2.75 cubic yards.
Concrete is usually sold in quarter-yard steps (0.25 yards).
So, you would likely order 2.75 cubic yards.
Always confirm how much concrete do I need with a concrete calculator and then think about adding a little extra for safety.
Grasping Concrete Mix Types
Concrete is not just one thing. There are different concrete mix types. The type of concrete you need depends on your project.
What is concrete made of?
It is a mix of:
* Cement (usually Portland cement)
* Water
* Aggregates (like sand and gravel)
* Sometimes, other special stuff (additives)
Changing the amounts of these parts changes the concrete.
Different mixes are stronger.
Different mixes set faster or slower.
Different mixes are good for different weather.
Common concrete mix types are based on strength. Strength is measured in pounds per square inch (psi).
* 2500 psi: Good for simple paths or non-structural use.
* 3000 psi: Common for patios, sidewalks, and simple slabs.
* 3500 psi: Used for driveways and standard foundations.
* 4000 psi and higher: Used for stronger foundations, walls, or places where heavy things will be.
You might also hear about mixes based on what they are used for.
* Standard mix: Basic mix for general use. Often 3000 psi.
* Driveway mix: A stronger mix, usually 3500 psi. Designed to handle cars.
* Footing mix: For foundations that hold walls. Strength depends on the load.
* High-early strength mix: This concrete gets strong faster. Useful when you need to use the concrete area sooner. It costs more.
* Mixes with additives: These can help in hot weather (slow down setting) or cold weather (speed up setting, add air bubbles for freeze protection).
When you order concrete, you need to tell the concrete supplier what mix type you need. If you are not sure, tell them about your project. Are you pouring a driveway? A patio? A footing for a house? They can help you choose the right concrete mix types. Local building rules might also say what strength you need for certain projects.
Finding a Concrete Supplier
Once you know how much concrete you need and what type, you need to find a concrete supplier. A concrete supplier is a company that makes and sells concrete. They deliver it to your project site in ready mix concrete trucks.
How do you find a good concrete supplier?
* Ask local builders or contractors who they use.
* Look online for “ready mix concrete near me”.
* Check reviews for local concrete companies.
When choosing a supplier, think about:
* Reliability: Do they deliver on time? Concrete starts to set once mixed, so timely delivery is very important.
* Quality: Do they provide good quality concrete?
* Service: Are they helpful? Can they answer your questions?
* Price: What is their concrete price per yard? Compare prices from a few suppliers.
* Delivery Area: Do they deliver to your location?
* Minimum Order: Do they have a minimum concrete order amount? Some suppliers will not deliver small amounts.
Call a few different suppliers. Ask them questions.
Tell them:
* Your project location.
* How much concrete you need (in cubic yards).
* What type of concrete mix types you need (or describe your project).
* When you need the concrete delivered.
They will tell you their concrete price per yard. They will also tell you their minimum concrete order if you don’t meet it.
Ordering Concrete Steps
Placing your concrete order has several key steps. Following these ordering concrete steps helps make sure you get the right concrete at the right time.
Step 1: Confirm Your Needs
Double-check your measurements.
Use a concrete calculator again.
Decide how much extra you want to add (like 10%).
Know the total cubic yards you want to order.
Know the specific concrete mix types you need (e.g., 3500 psi driveway mix).
Step 2: Choose Your Supplier
Pick the concrete supplier you want to use based on your research.
Step 3: Call and Place the Order
Call the supplier.
Be ready to provide details:
* Your name and contact information.
* The exact delivery address.
* The date you need the concrete.
* The time you want the truck to arrive. (They might give you a time window, like 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM).
* The amount of concrete you need (in cubic yards).
* The specific concrete mix types you need.
* Information about the job site (Is it easy for a big truck to get to? Are there power lines? Steep hills? Is it a long way from where the truck can park to where the concrete goes?).
* How you plan to get the concrete from the truck to your project (will you use a chute, wheelbarrows, or a pump?).
* Payment information.
Ask them to repeat the order details to make sure it is correct.
Confirm the total concrete price per yard and the total cost.
Ask about their cancellation policy.
Ask about fees for waiting time if you are slow unloading the truck.
Ask about their minimum concrete order if your amount is small.
Step 4: Get a Confirmation
Get an order number or confirmation. Write it down.
Make sure you have the supplier’s phone number.
These ordering concrete steps help ensure everything is planned before the truck leaves the plant.
Comprehending Ready Mix Concrete
What is ready mix concrete? It is concrete that is made at a central plant. It is mixed exactly to your order’s needs. Then, a special truck delivers it to your job site. The truck has a turning drum to keep the concrete mixed on the way.
Why use ready mix concrete?
* Consistent Quality: It is mixed in a controlled environment. The amounts of cement, water, and stone are exact. This gives you a higher quality and more reliable concrete than mixing it yourself.
* Convenience: It saves you a huge amount of work. You don’t have to buy materials, measure them, and mix them. Mixing concrete by hand, or even with a small mixer, for a patio or driveway is extremely hard work and takes a long time.
* Speed: The truck brings a large amount of concrete ready to use. You can pour your project much faster than if you mixed it yourself.
* Less Waste: You order only what you need (plus a little extra). You don’t have leftover bags of cement or piles of sand and gravel.
Almost all professional concrete work uses ready mix concrete. For home projects like patios or driveways, ordering ready mix concrete is usually the best way to go, especially if the project is larger than a few small steps.
Deciphering Concrete Delivery
Concrete delivery is how the ready mix concrete gets from the supplier’s plant to your project.
The delivery truck is large and heavy. It needs a clear path to get to your site.
Think about access:
* Is the road wide enough for the truck?
* Are there low branches or wires?
* Is your driveway strong enough for a very heavy truck? (A loaded truck can weigh 60,000 pounds or more).
* Can the truck get close enough to where you need the concrete?
* Can the truck turn around or back out?
The truck has chutes that can guide the concrete out. These chutes reach a certain distance, usually about 12-16 feet from the back of the truck.
If your project is farther away than the chutes can reach, you need another way to move the concrete.
* Wheelbarrows: For shorter distances. This takes a lot of people and is hard work.
* Concrete Pump: A machine that pumps the concrete through a hose. This is needed for longer distances, higher places, or hard-to-reach spots. Pumping costs extra.
Talk to your concrete supplier about delivery. Tell them about your site access. They can tell you if their truck can reach or if you might need a pump. Good communication about concrete delivery prevents problems on the day of the pour.
The Cost: Concrete Price Per Yard
One of the first things people ask is, “What is the concrete price per yard?” The cost of concrete varies. It depends on several things:
* Location: Prices are different in different areas.
* Mix Type: Stronger mixes (higher psi) cost more than basic mixes. Mixes with special additives cost more.
* Amount Ordered: The more concrete you order, the lower the concrete price per yard might be. Small orders often have a higher price per yard or a minimum concrete order charge.
* Fuel Costs: The cost of gas and diesel affects the price.
* Supplier: Different suppliers have different prices.
* Delivery Fees: There is often a charge for delivery. This might be part of the price per yard or a separate fee. Long distances might have extra fees.
* Extra Charges:
* Short Load Fee: If your order is less than the minimum concrete order, there is often a fee.
* Waiting Time: If the truck has to wait a long time while you unload, they might charge you extra time.
* Washout Fee: A fee for cleaning the truck drum, sometimes required.
As of late 2023/early 2024, the concrete price per yard for a standard mix (like 3000 psi) might be anywhere from $110 to $160 or more per cubic yard. This is just a general idea. You must get quotes from local concrete supplier companies for exact pricing in your area.
When getting quotes, ask for the total price including all fees. This way, you can truly compare the concrete price per yard from different suppliers.
Getting Ready for Delivery Day
Ordering the concrete is just one part. Getting ready for the concrete delivery day is also very important.
Before the truck arrives:
* Prepare the area: Dig out the area. Build your forms (the wooden or metal sides that hold the concrete shape). Make sure the forms are strong and level.
* Prepare the base: Put down gravel or sand if needed. Compact it well so it is firm and level.
* Install rebar or mesh: If your project needs steel for strength, put it in place. Use chairs to hold rebar off the ground so the concrete surrounds it.
* Plan for the pour: Know exactly how you will get the concrete from the truck to the forms. Have enough people if you are using wheelbarrows.
* Have tools ready: Shovels, rakes, screed board (a straight board to level the concrete), floats (tools to smooth the surface).
* Plan for finishing: How will you finish the surface? (Smooth, broomed, etc.)
* Think about the weather: Concrete pouring is best done in good weather. Too hot, too cold, or rain can cause problems. Ask your supplier about pouring in different weather. Have covers ready if rain is possible.
* Arrange help: Pouring concrete is hard work and needs to be done quickly. Make sure you have enough people to help you unload, spread, and finish the concrete before it starts to set.
* Make a path for the truck: Clear the driveway or path. Make sure the ground is firm where the truck will drive or park. Put down plywood if needed to protect soft ground or driveways.
* Talk to the truck driver: When the truck arrives, show the driver where the concrete goes. Talk about the best way to chute the concrete.
Being fully ready makes the concrete delivery and pour go smoothly. Wasting the truck driver’s time can lead to extra charges for waiting.
Interpreting Minimum Concrete Order
What is a minimum concrete order? Many concrete suppliers have a smallest amount of concrete they will deliver. This is their minimum concrete order.
Why do they have a minimum?
It costs the supplier money to mix concrete, load the truck, drive to your site, and clean the truck. These costs are almost the same whether they deliver 2 cubic yards or 8 cubic yards. They set a minimum to make these small deliveries cost-effective for them.
A common minimum concrete order is often 3 or 4 cubic yards. Some might be lower, some higher.
If your project needs less than their minimum concrete order, you might still be able to order it. But they will likely charge you a “short load fee.” This fee covers the cost difference for them. It can make the concrete price per yard for a very small order quite high.
For example, if a supplier’s minimum concrete order is 4 cubic yards, but you only need 2 cubic yards, you might have to pay the price for 4 cubic yards plus maybe a short load fee, or just a much higher price per yard for the small amount.
Always ask about the minimum concrete order when you call suppliers and factor it into your total cost if your project is small.
If you have a very small project, like setting a few fence posts, ordering ready mix concrete by the yard might not be the best choice. You might be better off using bags of concrete mix from a hardware store and mixing it yourself. But for anything larger, even slightly over the minimum, ordering ready mix concrete is usually more practical and better quality.
Troubleshooting Common Delivery Issues
Even with good planning, things can sometimes go wrong during concrete delivery.
* Truck stuck: The truck is heavy and can get stuck in soft ground. Make sure the path is firm. Have a plan if this happens (like calling a tow truck, which is expensive).
* Access problems: Low wires, tight turns, or obstacles prevent the truck from getting close enough. Make sure you discussed access with the supplier beforehand.
* Wrong mix or amount: Very rare with good suppliers, but check the delivery ticket when the truck arrives. It should show the amount and mix type ordered.
* Concrete too wet or too dry: The driver can add a little water at the site, but adding too much water weakens the concrete. The mix consistency (called “slump”) is important. Talk to the driver if it doesn’t look right. They usually have guidelines.
* Not enough concrete: This is why you order a little extra! If you do run short, call the supplier right away. They might be able to send a small load, but it will cost more and there will be a delay.
* Too much concrete: If you have leftover concrete, you cannot dump it just anywhere. Ask the supplier if they have a place you can take it. Or be ready with a plan to make some extra blocks or fill a non-important area.
Good communication with the concrete supplier and the truck driver is key to handling any issues quickly.
Planning for the Future of Your Concrete
After the concrete is placed and finished, it needs to cure. Curing is not just drying out. It’s a chemical process where the concrete gains strength.
Keep the concrete moist for several days after pouring.
You can do this by:
* Spraying it gently with water.
* Covering it with plastic sheeting or wet burlap.
* Using a chemical curing compound.
Curing properly makes the concrete much stronger and more durable. Don’t let the concrete dry out too fast, especially in hot or windy weather.
Also, know when you can use the concrete.
* You can usually walk on concrete after 24 hours (be gentle).
* You can drive a car on a new driveway after about 7 days (check with your supplier for the specific mix).
* Concrete reaches its full strength (like 3500 psi) after about 28 days.
Wait the right amount of time before putting heavy weight on the concrete.
Putting It All Together: Ordering Steps Review
Let’s quickly review the main ordering concrete steps:
1. Measure Your Project: Get length, width, and thickness in feet.
2. Calculate Volume: Multiply length x width x thickness for cubic feet.
3. Convert to Cubic Yards: Divide cubic feet by 27.
4. Use a Concrete Calculator: Double-check your math.
5. Add Extra: Plan to order 10% more than calculated.
6. Choose Mix Type: Decide on the right strength and type for your project (e.g., 3000 psi, 3500 psi driveway mix).
7. Find Suppliers: Search for local concrete supplier companies.
8. Get Quotes: Ask about concrete price per yard, delivery fees, and minimum concrete order.
9. Place Order: Call your chosen supplier. Give all details: amount (cubic yards), mix type, date, time, address, site info.
10. Confirm: Get an order number and review details.
11. Prepare Site: Get forms ready, base prepared, rebar in place. Plan access for the ready mix concrete truck.
12. Prepare for Pour: Have tools and help ready. Plan for moving and finishing the concrete.
Following these steps makes ordering concrete by the yard a manageable task for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
H5 What is a cubic yard of concrete?
A cubic yard of concrete is a measure of volume. It is equal to the space inside a box that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high. This equals 27 cubic feet. Concrete is typically sold and ordered in cubic yards.
H5 How much concrete do I need?
To find out how much concrete you need, measure your project’s length, width, and thickness (or depth) in feet. Multiply these three numbers together to get cubic feet. Then, divide the total cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. Using a concrete calculator online is a fast way to do this. It is also wise to order about 10% more than the calculated amount to be safe.
H5 What is ready mix concrete?
Ready mix concrete is concrete that is mixed at a factory according to a specific recipe. It is delivered to your project site in a special truck with a rotating drum. This is different from mixing concrete yourself from bags. Ready mix concrete is convenient and usually has more consistent quality.
H5 What does concrete price per yard mean?
Concrete price per yard is the cost of one cubic yard of concrete. This price can change based on where you live, the type of concrete mix, how much you order, and the supplier. It’s important to ask about all fees, including delivery and short load fees, when comparing prices.
H5 What is a minimum concrete order?
A minimum concrete order is the smallest amount of concrete a supplier will deliver. If your project needs less than this amount, you might still be able to order it, but you will likely pay a higher price per yard or a special “short load fee.” Minimums are often 3 or 4 cubic yards, but they vary by supplier.
H5 How does concrete delivery work?
Concrete delivery involves a large ready mix concrete truck bringing the freshly mixed concrete to your site. The truck has chutes to guide the concrete out. You need to make sure the truck can access your site safely and get close enough to where the concrete is needed. You might need wheelbarrows or a concrete pump to move the concrete further.
H5 How do I choose the right concrete mix types?
Concrete mix types differ mainly in strength (measured in psi) and sometimes include special additives. The right mix depends on your project. For example, a driveway needs a stronger mix (like 3500 psi) than a simple garden path (like 2500 psi). Tell your concrete supplier about your project, and they can help you choose the correct mix.
H5 How do I find a concrete supplier?
You can find a concrete supplier by asking people who have done similar projects, searching online for “ready mix concrete near me,” or looking in local business directories. It is a good idea to contact a few different suppliers to compare their prices, services, and reliability before placing your order.
Ordering concrete by the yard is a common practice for many building projects. By figuring out how much you need with a concrete calculator, choosing the right mix from a concrete supplier, and planning for the concrete delivery, you can successfully complete your work using ready mix concrete.