Yard of Concrete Cost: Average Prices & Cost Factors

Concrete is sold by the cubic yard, which is a block three feet long, three feet wide, and three feet high, or 27 cubic feet. Contractors and homeowners use that unit when ordering a truckload, so it is the number to know before you call a supplier.

This guide covers the material price only. Forming, finishing, reinforcement, and labor are separate, and they add up fast. The figures below focus on what the concrete itself and its delivery cost.

Concrete is sold by strength, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). A higher number is stronger and costs more. Most patios, sidewalks, and shed pads use a standard mix. Driveways, garage floors, and structural pours often call for a stronger one. The right mix depends on your climate and the load, so ask your supplier or a local contractor what is typical in your area.

Special mixes, such as high-early-strength or self-leveling, cost a premium because they are designed for specific conditions.

The per-yard price is only part of the bill. Trucks carry a fixed volume, and a small order can trigger a short-load fee. Delivery distance, timing, and season also add charges.

Many buyers order a little extra, since running short mid-pour is worse than paying for a fraction of a yard. If your order falls under a full truck, ask the supplier how the short-load fee is calculated.

Multiply length by width by thickness, all in feet, and divide by 27. Thickness is usually given in inches, so divide it by 12 first. A 10 by 10 foot pad at 4 inches thick works out to a little over one cubic yard. Add some extra for uneven ground and spillage.

Here is how the material cost adds up for a few typical jobs. These include the concrete and the short-load fee, but not labor, forms, or finishing.

Small jobs, such as a fence post or a step, are often easier with bagged mix you blend yourself. Bags cost more per yard once the volume grows, and mixing by hand is hard work, so large pours go to a truck. Ready-mix also has a more consistent mix than a batch made in a wheelbarrow. For anything big enough to need a truck, order ready-mix.

• Strength and mix type. Higher PSI and special mixes cost more.
• Distance from the batch plant. Longer delivery distances raise the fee.
• Order size. Under-a-truck loads incur short-load fees.
• Timing. Weekend, holiday, or winter pours may carry a surcharge.
• Access. Trucks that cannot reach the pour may require a pump or wheelbarrows, which adds labor.
• Additives. Fibers, color, and air entrainment each raise the price.

Suppliers set their own prices, and national guides sample different markets. One guide may report the price for a basic mix delivered locally, while another may include retail pricing in a different region.

Call two or three local batch plants for a current quote, because concrete prices change with the cost of cement, aggregate, and fuel.

• Prepare the site first. Forms, gravel base, and reinforcement should be ready before the truck arrives.
• Have help on hand. Concrete starts setting as soon as it is mixed, so you have limited time to place and finish it.
• Ask for the delivery window and how long the driver will wait.
• Get the price in writing, including any fees.