Seventeen cubic yards of concrete typically costs $2,200-$3,700 for ready-mix concrete delivered, with an average near $2,900 before placement labor and site preparation. A complete installed job may total $4,500-$10,000 or more, depending on slab size, thickness, reinforcement, access, finish, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 yd³ ready-mix concrete delivered | $2,200 | $2,900 | $3,700 | About $130-$218 per yd³; mix and delivery vary |
| Basic installed slab | $4,500 | $7,000 | $10,000+ | Forming, placement, finishing, and ordinary access |
| Concrete volume coverage | About 1,530 sq ft | About 1,225 sq ft | About 918 sq ft | At 4, 5, or 6 inches thick, respectively |
Assumptions: 17 cubic yards of standard ready-mix, ordinary truck access, and U.S. prices before unusual excavation, demolition, or specialty finishes.
What 17 cubic yards costs as delivered concrete
For the concrete alone, a practical budget is $2,200-$3,700 delivered, or roughly $130-$218 per cubic yard. The lower end generally reflects a standard mix, competitive local pricing, and a full truck order. Higher-strength mixes, fiber additives, remote delivery, or a high-cost metro area can push the rate up.
Seventeen yards is a substantial order, but it is not necessarily one truckload. Ready-mix trucks commonly carry around 8-10 cubic yards, so the supplier may schedule two loads. Confirm the truck capacity, delivery window, and whether the quote includes fuel, environmental, or short-load charges.
For a basic poured slab, installed pricing often lands around $4,500-$10,000. This assumes ordinary site conditions and a straightforward finish; a driveway with demolition, grading, reinforcement, and a broom finish may cost more than a simple slab with prepared forms.
How concrete, labor, and site work shape the quote
Concrete delivery is only one part of a finished project. Ask whether the contractor’s written estimate includes each preparation and finishing task, rather than comparing totals with different scopes.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete | $2,200-$3,700 total | Mix strength, additives, local batch-plant rates |
| Labor and placement | $1,200-$3,000 | Crew size, finish, pour duration, access |
| Forms and reinforcement | $500-$1,800 | Perimeter, rebar or mesh, slab design |
| Base preparation | $500-$2,500 | Grading, compacted gravel, soil conditions |
| Delivery and disposal extras | $100-$1,000+ | Extra trips, pump use, old concrete removal |
Labor is often a major share of the installed price. A basic accessible pour may need a small crew for several hours, while extensive forming, pumping, or hand placement can require more time and workers. Component ranges can overlap or be bundled in contractor quotes, so they should not simply be added to the highest installed estimate.
Slab thickness and reinforcement change the 17-yard coverage
Concrete volume translates into different areas depending on slab depth. Seventeen cubic yards covers approximately 1,530 square feet at 4 inches, 1,225 square feet at 5 inches, or 1,020 square feet at 6 inches; allow less usable coverage if the grade varies or the slab includes thickened edges.
Thickness and subgrade conditions can matter more than a small change in the mix price. A 6-inch slab uses 50% more concrete per square foot than a 4-inch slab. For many vehicle surfaces, reinforcement, base depth, and slab design should be specified for the intended loads rather than reduced to save material.
Concrete strength is another pricing variable. A standard 3,000-4,000 psi mix is common for many residential jobs, while higher strength, air entrainment for freeze-thaw exposure, or fiber reinforcement can add roughly $5-$25 per cubic yard or more, depending on supplier and specifications.
Why truck access, pumping, and excavation raise the total
Truck access affects both time and equipment costs. If the chute cannot reach the pour, a concrete pump may add about $500-$1,500 or more, depending on pump type, setup, and minimum service charge. Long hose runs, obstacles, or a difficult backyard pour can add time as well.
Removal and grading are separate scope items. Breaking up an existing slab may cost around $2-$6 per square foot, with disposal, thickness, reinforcement, and haul distance affecting the rate. Soft soil, steep slopes, drainage work, or substantial fill can add hundreds to several thousand dollars.
Check for delivery minimums and cancellation terms before scheduling. Some suppliers charge for waiting time, extra delivery trips, or concrete left over after the pour. A late crew or blocked truck route can turn a planned full-load delivery into a more expensive job.
Three 17-yard project quotes with different scopes
A 17-yard order does not establish the installed price by itself. The examples below show how surface area and site work change a plausible quote; local contractor bids may differ.
- Prepared backyard slab: About 1,225 square feet at 5 inches, standard mix, accessible truck, basic finish. Delivered concrete around $2,700, with forms, mesh, placement, and finishing bringing the estimate to roughly $5,500-$7,000.
- Residential driveway replacement: About 1,020 square feet at 6 inches, old concrete removal, compacted base, and reinforcement. Concrete around $2,900, plus demolition and installation, for a rough total of $7,500-$11,000.
- Restricted-access patio: About 1,530 square feet at 4 inches, pump delivery, extra hose handling, and a decorative finish. Concrete around $3,000, with the complete quote potentially reaching $8,000-$12,000.
Assumptions: Approximate project examples, standard residential access unless noted, and no unusual engineering or permitting requirements.
Labor rates and pour timing affect the finished price
Concrete crews may be priced by the project or estimated using hourly labor, often around $50-$100 per worker-hour before contractor overhead. A simple pour may take a crew of three to five workers roughly 6-10 hours for placement and finishing, not counting excavation or a separate return visit for forms.
Schedule the pour only when the forms, base, reinforcement, and crew are ready. Concrete cannot wait indefinitely in the truck, and delays can trigger waiting fees or compromise finishing. Weather, curing conditions, and the size of the pour influence the workable schedule.
Regional delivery rates can shift a 17-yard order
Concrete pricing tends to be higher in dense, high-wage markets and lower where batch plants and contractors compete across a larger area. As a planning comparison, a major coastal metro may run about 10%-25% above a broad national baseline, while some lower-cost rural or interior markets may be 5%-15% below it.
These are budgeting adjustments, not guaranteed regional tariffs. Rural delivery distance, fuel charges, limited suppliers, or a remote jobsite can erase a lower local labor rate. Request quotes from suppliers serving the project address and verify that delivery and mix specifications match.
Ways to trim the concrete bill without weakening the slab
Reduce avoidable scope, not the thickness or reinforcement required by the design. Get two or three itemized bids for the same square footage, depth, mix strength, finish, base preparation, and removal work. This makes differences in labor, pump charges, and included materials easier to identify.
Complete permitted site clearing or form preparation only when the contractor confirms it is appropriate and will not compromise grade or support. Choose a standard finish instead of stamping or color when appearance is not essential, and avoid ordering excess volume by checking measurements with the installer. Concrete orders need a practical allowance for grade variation, but a large surplus can mean paid-for material and disposal.