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concrete cost per yard

What is the Concrete Cost Per Yard?

The average concrete cost is $133 per cubic yard, with a range between $119 to $147 per cubic yard, including delivery up to 20 miles. However, concrete prices vary by region, and you will have to pay a delivery fee for ready-mix concrete, moreover, labor charges too, if hiring a contractor.

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A concrete slab is a flat horizontal surface made of cast concrete, which is a common structural component of modern constructions. It is a mix of wet cement mix and crushed stones that harden to form concrete.

When you hire a professional to install a concrete slab for you, materials and labor rates are generally charged per square foot rather than per cubic yard. When ordering concrete in bulk, then you will most probably pay per cubic yard. 

Remember, concrete prices will differ depending on the concrete’s strength, the amount you order, and the distance of delivery the company is required to travel. 

Estimating cost by amount of concrete

Short load fee is a term you need to know regarding buying concrete in bulk. When you buy by the truckload, it typically consists of a total of 10 cubic yards, though this varies from company to company. If you order less than a truckload of concrete, you will be charged a short load fee for running a concrete truck that is partly empty. 

The short load fee will also vary depending on the company. A short load fee costs an additional $43 per cubic yard on average.

If you are ordering less than a truckload of concrete, expect to pay $167 per cubic yard on average, including the short load fee. Otherwise, if you are ordering a truckload or more, expect to pay $133 per cubic yard on average. 

Factors Affecting Concrete Cost

Most homeowners can expect to spend $133 per cubic yard on average when buying a truckload or more of concrete. However, if you stay far from the concrete mixing company or need delivery on the weekend, you might incur additional cost on your final bill. 

  • Concrete Type: The stronger concrete you buy, the more you can expect to pay. 
  • Distance of Delivery: If your home is at a long distance from the company, you will have to pay for the distance. 
  • Day of Delivery: If you require concrete to be delivered over the weekend, then expect to pay a fee. 
  • Pre-Mixed Concrete Bags: Pre-mixed concrete bags are an alternative to buying concrete in bulk, however it’s not always the best option to save money. 

Let’s see the above factors in detail:

1. Concrete type 

Concrete mixes vary in cost depending on the mixture’s strength or PSI (pounds per square inch). The higher the concrete’s PSI, the stronger it will be and the concrete cost per yard will increase. 

You will want a high PSI concrete slab that’s going to withstand a lot of weight, such as a foundation or driveway.

Walkways and patios don’t generally need to withstand heavy weight, that is why their concrete typically costs less per cubic yard compared to concrete for a weight-bearing surface. 

2. Distance of delivery

Some concrete delivery companies might not charge delivery fees for orders within a 20-mile radius, but if they need to deliver more than 20 miles, they will charge an additional fee per mile. 

Homeowners can spend $9.75 per mile on average over the set radius. For example, if the concrete company doesn’t charge fees within 20 miles to deliver and you stay 35 miles away, you will probably be charged around $146 for the remaining distance.

3. Day of Delivery 

If you require your concrete delivered on the weekend, you can expect an extra fee. You can order during the workweek to avoid it.

4. Pre-mixed concrete bags

When you are planning to pour concrete yourself, you don’t always have to buy it from a delivery company. You also have the option to buy pre-mixed concrete bags from a local home improvement store and make the wet concrete on your own at home.

Concrete

How much area does a cubic yard cover?

The area a cubic yard covers depends on how thick of a concrete slab you want. Concrete slabs are usually a minimum of 4 inches thick, however some slabs are as thick as 8 inches. 

One cubic yard of concrete covers: 

  • 81-square-foot area with a 4-inch thick slab 
  • 65-square-foot area with a 5-inch thick slab 
  • 54-square-foot area with a 6-inch thick slab

How to calculate the number of cubic yards you need?

To know how much concrete you will need for a new slab, first calculate your slab’s total area in cubic feet, then convert the result into cubic yards.

For example, for a rectangular concrete slab that has 10 feet length, 15 feet width, and is 5 inches thick, you will need 2.33 cubic yards of concrete. On average, you will spend between $343 and $436, or $390 on average for 2.33 cubic yards of concrete, including the short load fee. 

Given below are the steps of how it works:

Step 1: Convert the slab’s thickness in inches to feet by dividing the slab’s thickness in inches by 12 inches. 

5 inches ÷ 12 inches = 0.42 feet

Step 2: Multiply the slab’s width, length, and height to get the slab’s total cubic feet.

For a 10-feet long, 15-feet wide, and 5-inches thick slab your equation will look like this:

10 feet (length) x 15 feet (width) x 0.42 feet (height) = 63 cubic feet

Step 3: Convert cubic feet into cubic yards by dividing the total cubic feet by 27 because there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.

63 cubic feet ÷ 27 cubic feet = 2.33 cubic yards

Now, a circular concrete slab, for example, with a 10-foot diameter and 6-inch thickness will require 1.45 cubic yards of concrete. Most homeowners can expect to spend between $213 and $271, or $242 on average for 1.45 cubic yards of concrete, including the short load fee.

Given below are the steps to calculate it:

Step 1: Convert the slab’s thickness in inches to feet as you did above by dividing the slab’s thickness in inches by 12 inches. 

6 inches ÷ 12 inches = 0.5 feet

Step 2: Calculate the total volume in cubic feet. The equation will look like this:

3.14 (π) x 5 feet (radius) x 5 feet (radius) x 0.5 feet (height) = 39.25 cubic feet

Step 3: Convert the volume in cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing the total volume in cubic feet by 27.

39.25 (total volume in cubic feet) ÷ 27 cubic feet = 1.45 cubic yards

To conclude, the average concrete cost is $133 per cubic yard, with a range between $119 to $147 per cubic yard, including delivery up to 20 miles. The concrete cost per cubic yard depends on various factors, including concrete type, distance of delivery, day of delivery, and premixed concrete bags. Hire Eden to install a concrete patio, driveway or more in your landscaping. 

From selecting the right seasonal plants to installing an outdoor kitchen, our landscaping services can do it all for you. Contact us today for a stunning landscape!

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