Concrete plays an important role in the construction of any property. When buying concrete, it’s important to keep in mind that its cost can vary depending on quantity, distance, and type. However, if you’re looking for how much is concrete per yard, it’s almost in between $110 and $175. Plus, don’t forget to add extra costs like labor, delivery, and installation. Let’s calculate in detail how much is a yard of concrete and what the factors are that affect its pricing.
How Much Is Concrete Per Yard In 2025?
Concrete is a popular choice for many home renovations and constructions, like patios, walkways, and driveways, because it’s strong and affordable. Before starting any project, it’s essential to know the cost. The average cost of concrete throughout the US is typically $145.
However, delivery charges, concrete type, and labor cost may vary depending on your location. Keep in mind, if you buy it directly from a supplier, you’ll pay by the yard, and if you hire a contractor, they’ll charge by the square foot.
How Much Is Concrete Per Square Foot?
The average cost of concrete per square foot is around $5.5 to $9.5 per square foot. Also, keep in mind the additional costs like stamping, finishing plain concrete, getting permits, and the labor cost for pouring can increase the price even more.
Factors Affecting Concrete Price
As we’ve talked earlier, the concrete cost varies based on several factors. For example, ground preparation, concrete type, reinforcements, local concrete costs, delivery, and labor charges may affect the total concrete costs of your construction or renovation project.
Considering these factors will help you get a more accurate estimate for your project. However, you may save some money by calculating your needs accurately, using simple designs, comparing quotes from different suppliers, and buying it from a local supplier.
1. Types Of Concrete
There are different types of concrete, each with its own purpose, price point, and varying strengths. The strength and weight-bearing capacity are calculated in pounds per square inch. Higher PSI mixes can handle more weight and high strength, but they’re pricier.
For example, standard ready-mix concrete has a psi rating between 3,000 to 4,000, costs you between $110 to $150, and is perfect for large projects like patios, slabs, and walkways. Fiber-reinforced concrete has a psi rating of 4,000 to 5,000, costs between $110 to $180, and is perfect for parking lots and industrial floors. While high-strength concrete has psi ratings from 5,000 to 6,000 plus, costs between $130 to $200, and is ideal for columns, foundations, and heavy-load areas.
2. Delivery Day & Distance Cost
Delivery timing can impact the overall concrete cost. Try to place an order on holidays, weekends, or after hours may incur some extra fees. You can save this money by scheduling deliveries during the workweek.
Some concrete delivery companies may charge an additional fee of around $9 per mile for distances beyond a certain radius. Extreme temperatures may also increase costs between $5 to $8 per cubic yard or more due to special blends or winter surcharges. Please note that you usually get 6 to 8 minutes per cubic yard to unload concrete before overtime charges start, which can be around $65 per hour.
3. Delivery Types & Short Loads
The cost of concrete delivery also varies by method. A simple distance-based truck charges $30 to $100. Volumetric or on-site mix concrete trucks charge $20 to $25 per cubic yard, while ready-mix concrete trucks cost $17 to $20 per cubic yard. Tow-behind deliveries charge between $9 to $13 per cubic yard with an hourly rate of $13 to $32.
Concrete delivery trucks usually hold 8 to 10 cubic yards. If you place an order under a full truckload, you may be charged a flat fee of $55 to $110 or $40 per cubic yard. Additionally, you may also be charged an extra fee for complex access, remote sites, or special equipment needs.
4. Location
Concrete costs vary by your location. For example, rural areas like Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana may be cheaper as compared to urban areas like Chicago, New York, or Miami. However, if you’re away from a concrete supplier, you may be charged high delivery costs due to distance.
5. Concrete Building Permit Cost
Sometimes, you also require a building permit depending on your location and project scope for larger concrete projects like complete home renovation or foundations, which may cost you between $30 to $300. However, smaller projects might not require a permit.
6. Site Preparation Cost
Before pouring concrete, it is important to make your site ready. Land clearing, like removing brush or other hurdles, costs between $300 to $1,100 per acre and $1,200 to $3,500 per acre for rough or hard-to-work land, while leveling costs almost $1,000 to $3,800. Both of these steps will help prevent issues like cracking while ensuring a stable base for the concrete.
After that, the sub-basing process will cost $8 to $22 per cubic yard, which includes the addition of a layer of sand and gravel for stability. Next, the rebar reinforcement will cost $0.25 to $0.50 per linear foot, while wire mesh will cost $0.10 to $0.35 per square foot to strengthen the concrete and prevent cracks. Concrete forming is the last step that gives shape to the structure. These pegs, plywood, and nails made forms cost between $2 to $6 per linear foot.
7. Labor Cost
Depending on your project complexity and location, the labor costs for pouring concrete range from $6 to $29 per square foot.
8. Concrete Installation Cost
You can save money and time by hiring a professional concrete installer. They charge between $4 and $11 per square foot for standard installations and $9 to $25 per square foot for high-end finishes like stained or stamped concrete.
Suppose you’re a professional DIYer and want to do concrete installation yourself. In that case, the equipment rental will cost you almost $40 to $100 per day for a concrete mixer, premixed concrete will cost $4 to $28 per bag, and tools and safety gear will cost between $250 to $500.
Bottom Line
Overall, the national average cost of concrete is between $110 to $175 per cubic yard. However, the final price depends on factors like delivery distance, material, installation cost and type, labor, location, and more. So, it’s best to get a quote from your local contractors for an accurate estimate. Keep visiting styleofhome.com to find more helpful guides regarding home improvement and easy DIY projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much Is 1 Yd Of Concrete?
The average cost of 1 yd of concrete is about $135, with a range of $110 to $175 per cubic yard. For big projects, you usually order concrete by the cubic yard. For smaller projects, you might order by the cubic foot or by the truckload.
How Much Area Will 1 Yard Of Concrete Cover?
One cubic yard of concrete covers different areas based on the slab’s thickness. For example, a 4-inch-thick concrete slab covers about 81 square feet, while a 6-inch-thick slab covers almost 54 square feet.
How To Calculate Concrete Cost?
First, figure out how much concrete you need in cubic yards. After that, multiply that by the cost per cubic yard and then add extra costs like delivery, labor, and materials.
What Is The Size Of 1 Yard Of Concrete?
One yard of concrete is equal to 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet or 27 cubic feet.
How Much Does A 20×20 Concrete Slab Cost?
A 20×20 concrete slab featuring 400 square feet can cost you $2,400 to $4,800 installed. However, the price varies based on the concrete type, slab thickness, and labor costs.
