Written by

Tom Grupa

April 5, 2023

Concrete Prices

The average cost of concrete is $119 to $147 per cubic yard, which includes delivery up to 20 miles. Pouring plain concrete costs $5 to $10 per square foot depending on the quality, while colored, stamped, or stained concrete costs $8 to $18 per square foot to install.

The cost of concrete to pour a 20' sidewalk is $255 to $320, while a 2-car driveway or garage slab costs $1,060 to $1,270.

When pouring a concrete slab, patio, driveway, sidewalk, or adding steps, getting ready-mixed concrete delivered is quick and cost-effective.

When estimating the costs of your concrete project, factors include the local cost of concrete, the amount of concrete you need, grading the land, preparing the subbase, installing concrete forms, laying reinforcements, pumping, and finishing.

Before hiring a concrete contractor, it's important to learn about the additional costs, delivery types, different concrete quality, and estimate how much concrete you need with our cost calculator.

Concrete Cost Per Yard

According to the NRMCA, concrete costs $108 per cubic yard on average. Most homeowners pay $119 to $147 per cubic yard for concrete withe delivery and pouring, depending on the PSI of the cement. A full 10-yard truckload with delivery costs $1,169 to $1,444, which is enough to pour a 20x24 driveway.

Getting less than a full truckload (short-load) or weekend delivery will add to your final cost. If your job site is more than 20 miles away from the mixing plant, expect to pay an additional fee of $9.50 per mile.

Concrete Price Per Square Foot

A typical 6" thick concrete slab costs $5 to $10 per square foot depending on the concrete quality and project size. Decorative options such as coloring, stamping, patterns, or special finishes bring the total installation cost to $8 to $18 per square foot. However, most concrete jobs are measured in cubic yards instead of square feet.

Full Truck Load of Concrete Cost

One full truckload of concrete is about 10 cubic yards and costs between $1,169 and $1,444 depending on the PSI mix. Anything less than a full truckload is considered a short load which adds $53 per cubic yard to your final price.

Bulk Concrete and Price Per Ton

One cubic yard of concrete is equal to 2.03 (short) tons which costs an average of $50 to $75 per ton. Bulk concrete is measured and delivered in tons for large commercial applications, and the price will vary depending on the PSI (pounds per square inch) strength required for the job.

How Much Concrete Do You Need?

How much concrete you need is typically measured in cubic yards and is the largest factor in determining your final delivery cost. Once you calculate how much concrete you need, add 5% to 10% to account for waste and spills.

Ordering more than you need is way better than ending up short. Pouring twice may produce a "cold seam" between the concrete that will cause you to start over.

Concrete Cost & Yards Calculator

Enter the dimensions of your project in our concrete calculator below to find the number of cubic yards required and the estimated total cost for concrete delivery. Does not include adding a waste of 5%.

Concrete Delivery Costs

When you order concrete, cement trucks don't drive from house to house making deliveries. If pre-mixed, each order of concrete is mixed specifically according to the requirements of the job. Once the concrete is mixed, the driver has about 90 minutes, or 300 rotations of the truck's barrel, to deliver that load before the cement starts to set.

Choosing the right type of concrete delivery is vital whether you're a homeowner or a contractor. The amount of concrete ordered and the distance the truck needs to travel affects your final cost. For most residential jobs, the two common types of concrete deliveries are ready-mix and short load.

• Short Load Concrete – Commonly used by residential contractors for small to medium-sized projects where the concrete is mixed on-site. The dry concrete usually fits in one truckload.

• Ready-Mix Concrete – The concrete is mixed before delivery at a mixing plant and typically used by contractors for larger construction projects such as driveways and garage slabs.

Short-Load Concrete Prices

Each cubic yard of concrete costs $119 to $147 per cubic yard delivered. A full truckload of concrete generally holds 10 cubic yards, while partially filled trucks or "short loads" cost $53 per cubic yard more, or about $172 per yard.

Some concrete contractors will offer short load services for small or residential projects where they deliver between 1 and 11 yards of concrete in ¼-cubic-yard increments in a single trip. The concrete is then mixed on-site using a freestanding mixer by the company staff for a service charge of about $60 to $110 or more. At that point, you or your contractors are responsible for pouring the concrete.

Short-load concrete deliveries are the ideal option for smaller projects they may require 1-3 cubic yards:

• Sidewalks

• Retaining Walls

• Small Slabs (Sheds, Patios)

• Landscaping Steps

• Footings

Ready-Mix Concrete Prices

Ready-mix concrete is pre-mixed in batches of 10 cubic yards or more and includes delivery up to 20 miles for $119 to $147 per cubic yard. The quality of ready-mix concrete is much higher than short load delivery because the concrete is precisely prepared at a mixing plant.

Once the concrete is mixed, the driver has about 90 minutes to deliver that load before it sets, and the concrete must be poured immediately upon arrival.

Ready-mix concrete typically includes 1" to 1-1/2" aggregate and common projects include:

• Driveways

• Foundations

• Large Slabs

• Footings

• Long Sidewalks

• Concrete Structures

• Commercial Applications

Haul Your Own Concrete

You also have the option of hauling your own concrete, typically up to 1 cubic yard at a time. You will need to rent a small concrete mixer that is attached to a trailer which adds $10 per cubic yard to your concrete price, or a flat fee of $120 per day.

In many projects, concrete should be poured all at once; else, it will produce a "cold seam" that weakens the structure. Keep this in mind if your project requires more than one cubic yard of material.

Questions to Ask Your Concrete Contractor

• What strength of concrete do I need? The strength of the concrete required depends on whether you're pouring a sidewalk, installing fence posts, a foundation, or a driveway.

• What day of the week will you deliver the concrete? Having concrete delivered on a Saturday could incur an additional charge of $8 per cubic yard.

• How will you unload the concrete? Concrete delivery drivers do not pour concrete; they only deliver it. Make sure there is a person available to pump the concrete.

• How much time will you need to pour it? The usual pouring time is 10 minutes per yard, so a full truck of 10 cubic yards would need 1 hour and 40 minutes to pump.

• What will you do with the remaining concrete? If you think you might have leftover concrete, purchase concrete forms or frames from your local home improvement store so they are ready to use. You can pour some planters or landscaping items such as mailboxes, fence posts, or flagpoles.

Prep Work Before Pouring Concrete

Before scheduling your concrete delivery, extra prep work such as grading, preparing a subbase, building forms, or installing reinforcements may be necessary.

Grading

The base that lies beneath your concrete is essential to a successful slab that does not crack. Grading costs $60 per hour for a tractor and operator. Grading is necessary to ensure water drains away from your home and doesn’t pool underneath the concrete, which could result in major cracking. For larger projects, land clearing costs $1,150 to $3,700.

Subbase

For proper installation, a sub-base or sub-grade of gravel and sand needs to be laid and compacted at $10 to $20 per cubic yard. A subbase reduces the chance of the concrete shifting, resulting in less cracking. The foundation must be stable for the concrete to perform best.

Cost of Concrete Forms

Plywood forming with stakes, nails, and form oil is required to pour concrete. Concrete edge forms for driveways and sidewalks cost $2 to $3 per linear foot to install, while forms for foundation walls, building walls, and retaining walls cost $2.50 to $6.00 per square foot of contact area.

• Costs include all materials needed such as stakes, nails, ties, clamps, stripping.

• A 5% to 10% waste is added for plywood, and 20% waste for bracing.

• If forms are required on both sides of the concrete, include the length (or contact surface area) of each side plus the end widths.

• Form stripping labor to remove forms and bracing, clean, and stack on the job site costs $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot.

Concrete Reinforcement

Concrete reinforcement wire mesh costs $0.15 – $0.30 per square foot, while rebar ranges from $0.30 to $0.50 per linear foot. Adding concrete reinforcements helps with poor soil conditions, prevents large cracks, and is highly recommended to make your concrete project structurally sound.

Colored Concrete Cost

Ordering tan, brown, gray, or beige colored concrete will add $31 per cubic yard bringing the total cost to $150 to $178 per cubic yard, including delivery. There's an extra charge for truck cleanup of $96 per day, which may be more if a separate mixer is needed for multiple colors. Colored concrete is popular in landscape design.

Stamped & Stained Concrete Cost

Special concrete finishes such as staining or stamped concrete costs $2 to $18 per square foot to install depending on the intricacy of the design. Stamped concrete varies from a smooth polish to geometric patterns to something that resembles stone, brick, or tile. Stained concrete is cheaper, and one color is applied to the surface with a protective sealant. Advanced staining projects encompass multiple colors, stenciling, and border designs.

Concrete Pumping Cost

Concrete pumping for small residential jobs with a trailer-mounted pump and 200' hose costs $15 per cubic yard with a $125 minimum. For larger concrete pouring jobs that require a 75' to 105' boom truck ranges from $140 to $190 per hour with a typical 4- to 5-hour minimum.

Trailer mounted pumps can move 15 cubic yards of concrete per hour, while a boom truck can run 70 to 90 cubic yards per hour. When pumping with a boom truck, add in at least 1 hour for equipment setup and 1 hour for cleanup.

For large projects, or if no concrete pump trucks are available, renting an 80-ton crane to reach 100 feet costs $240 per hour, or about $20 per cubic yard, plus travel costs each way. Cranes can move 20 cubic yards of concrete per hour with a 4,000-pound bucket.

Pre-Mix Concrete Prices

Pre-mixed concrete costs $4.49 to $5.57 per 50-pound bag of light-weight and fast-setting concrete mix and is available at most home improvement stores. Pre-mixed concrete comes in two varieties; a "no-mix" bag which requires the addition of water, and another which requires renting a concrete mixer to cure the cement.

Each bag size produces a different yield in cubic yards:

• 50-pound bag yields .014 cubic yards

• 60-pound bag yields .017 cubic yards

• 90-pound bag yields .025 cubic yards

There are different types of cement, but the most common is Portland cement, which is used in concrete, mortar, stucco, and grout. Other types include slow- or fast-drying cement, more- or less-viscous cement, and one kind of cement that resists water damage. It all depends on the ratio of materials used to mix cement and aggregates, which affects the end result.

Pre-mixed concrete bags are available from 50 to 90-pound sacks and are excellent for most small residential jobs such as:

• Fence Posts

• Mailboxes

• Flagpoles

• Minor Repairs

Concrete Equipment Rental Costs

When you haul your own concrete, use pre-mixed bags, or get a short-load delivered, you may need to rent equipment based on your project's scope. For example, renting a cement mixer on a trailer for small jobs costs $120 per day or $390 for a week.

DIY Concrete Installation Tips

To get the most out of your concrete project, follow these installation tips:

• Be precise in your measurements. If you do not order the correct amount of concrete, you may have to start over completely. Add 5% to 10% more than you need for spills and waste. Measure twice, pour once.

  • Square mouth shovel

  • Screed board

  • Wooden float

  • Steel trowel

  • Edging tool

  • Grooving tool

  • Mallet or heavy hammer

  • Level

  • Garden rake

• Have the proper tools on hand. A concrete contractor will already own these tools, but you may have to purchase some of them. You will need:

• Build a proper form for your project. Use 2x4's for the sides and stakes for the corners.

• Use a level to make sure you have the correct grade on your slope and to allow water to drain away from buildings.

• If you need a stronger slab, reinforce the concrete with wire mesh or rebar.

• Before the concrete sets, you can add decorative finishing such as patterns or textures. A texture will be attractive and will keep the slab from being slippery.

• Cure the concrete by adding a cure-and-seal compound to your mixture to limit cracking.

• When you finish, concrete must be cleaned off immediately. Wash the truck, tools, and wheelbarrows in an area where the water will not run off into the garden or other areas.

Concrete PSI For Driveways, Sidewalks, and Foundations

PSI stands for “pounds per square inch,” and it measures the strength of concrete. The more pounds per square inch, the stronger the concrete.

Recommended Concrete PSI

The recommended concrete PSI for most residential projects such as walkways, driveways, and sidewalks is 2,500 PSI, while foundations, footings, and floor slabs it's best to use 3,000 PSI concrete.

Concrete Prices Per Yard By PSI Mix

The higher the PSI strength of the concrete, the higher the price per cubic yard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Do You Buy Concrete?

There are multiple ways to buy concrete depending on the amount you need. For small residential projects, you can purchase pre-mixed 50-pound bags of concrete from your local home improvement store. For larger projects, call a ready-mix concrete delivery company which hauls up to 10 cubic yards at a time, which is enough to pour anything from a sidewalk to a driveway.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Buy Concrete?

The cheapest way to buy concrete is to mix your own by purchasing pre-mixed bags for $4.49 each and renting a concrete mixer for $120 per day. The second best way, it to buy a bulk truckload full (10 cubic yards) for $1,169 including delivery.

How Do You Order Concrete?

When you call a concrete contractor, ask for the dispatch department which is responsible for setting up new deliveries. As long as you can provide the dimensions of your project and what you are pouring, they will be able to tell you exactly how much concrete you need and the PSI mix you need. Always be sure to order 5% to 10% more than you need and ask if you need any additives like reinforced fiber for your project.

How Many Cubic Yards of Concrete Are In A Truck?

A concrete truck's capacity is approximately 10 cubic yards of concrete which costs $1,169 to $1,444 delivered up to 20 miles. This is enough to pour a 20' x 24' concrete driveway that is 8.88 cubic yards and not have to pay for two deliveries.

What Is The Minimum Amount of Concrete for Delivery?

The minimum concrete delivery for ready-mix concrete is a truckload of about 10 cubic yards at $119 to $147 per cubic yard. If you order less than 10 cubic yards of cement, there will be an additional fee of approximately $53 per cubic yard.

How Long Does It Take to Pour Concrete?

From start to finish, a crew of five can set forms and pour 40 to 50 cubic yards of concrete directly from a ready-mix truck in an 8-hour day. For pumping alone, it takes 60 to 90 minutes to pour a typical truckload of concrete.

Once the water is added to the dry mixture, the concrete must be delivered/poured within 1.5 hours (or 300 revolutions of the truck) before the cement sets. Trailer mounted concrete pumps move 15 cubic yards per hour, boom trucks move 70 to 90 CY, and cranes move 20 CY per hour.

Can You Pour Concrete in a Hole with Water?

Yes, you can pour concrete in a hole with water if the water is calm. If there is movement in the water, it will wash away the cement paste that holds the sand and gravel together.

Can You Pour Concrete Over Grass?

Yes, you can pour concrete over grass. For best results, it’s a good idea to use a rototiller over the area until the vegetation is broken up as much as possible. Grass has been known to grow up through concrete, so you want to make sure the grass is dead.

What Is the Difference Between Concrete and Cement?

Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Concrete is made up of paste and aggregates. The paste is the water combined with Portland cement, and the aggregate is gravel or crushed stones. (Portland cement is simply the term for the cement used in nearly every kind of concrete.)

What Is a Lean Mix of Concrete?

A lean mix of concrete refers to a lower ratio of cement to liquid in the concrete. While this may not make a good driveway, it makes an excellent base layer for other types of concrete to go over. It helps to even out a rough terrain.

How Far Can Concrete Be Pumped?

According to the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA), most residential concrete pumping is completed with 30-meter class booms which pump as far as 100 feet. Smaller concrete jobs use a trailer-mounted pump with a 200' hose, while large projects use an 80-ton crane to reach up to 100'.

How Much Does a Concrete Pump Truck Cost Per Hour?

Concrete jobs that require a 75' to 105' boom pump truck ranges from $140 to $190 per hour with a typical 4- to 5-hour minimum. This covers the truck and a certified driver, but not the concrete.

Hiring A Concrete Contractor

Be sure to get at least 3 cost estimates and compare multiple concrete contractors. They will inform you on the type of delivery you need, the best PSI to use for your project, what aggregates you need, and will send an accurate quote based on your cubic yard requirements.

• Check their online reviews from HomeGuide and Google.

• Make sure they are insured, licensed, and bonded.

• Ask for references from recent projects they have completed.

• Get the contract and terms in writing.

• Be sure the amount of concrete you purchase is appropriate for your project.