A bag of Quikrete concrete mix typically costs $4-$8, with an 80-pound standard mix averaging about $6.50 at U.S. home-improvement stores. Bag weight, mix type, local prices, delivery, and the number of bags needed drive the total project cost.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40-pound standard mix | $3.50 | $4.50 | $6 | Yields about 0.3 cu ft |
| 60-pound standard mix | $4.50 | $5.50 | $7 | Yields about 0.45 cu ft |
| 80-pound standard mix | $5 | $6.50 | $8 | Yields about 0.6 cu ft |
| 80-pound specialty mix | $7 | $9 | $12 | Fast-setting or other specialty formulation |
Assumptions: U.S. retail shelf prices before tax; prices vary by store, region, brand formulation, and purchase quantity.
What a Bag of Quikrete Costs by Mix and Size
For a small repair or post-setting job, a 40-pound bag commonly costs $3.50-$6, while a 60-pound bag runs about $4.50-$7. The standard 80-pound bag usually costs $5-$8 and provides the lowest price per cubic foot among common bag sizes. Specialty mixes can cost more, especially when fast setting or a specific application is needed.
Budget about $6.50 for each 80-pound bag of standard concrete mix, or roughly $10.80 per cubic foot of finished concrete. Actual yield depends on the product instructions and mixing conditions, so the package label should guide a final materials count.
Fast-setting concrete in an 80-pound bag often sells for $7-$12. Mortar, sand mix, crack repair, and other Quikrete products have different uses and yields; their prices should not be compared with standard concrete solely by bag weight. A higher-priced specialty product may be appropriate when its setting time or formulation matches the job.
How Aggregate, Labor, and Delivery Shape the Quote
The bag price is only one part of a poured-concrete project. Small jobs may need forms, gravel, mixing tools, or disposal, while a contractor quote may also include travel, setup, and labor. Retail bag cost can therefore be a small share of the total when the work involves digging, forming, or placing and finishing the concrete.
| Quote item | Typical price | What it covers | Cost note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard concrete mix | $5-$8 per 80-lb bag | Dry mix for concrete work | About 0.6 cu ft yield |
| Gravel or base material | $5-$12 per bag | Small prepared base | Quantity depends on depth and area |
| Labor | $50-$100 per hour | Mixing, placement, and finishing | Often subject to a minimum charge |
| Tool rental | $40-$100 per day | Small mixer or related equipment | Delivery or deposits may be extra |
| Delivery | $50-$150 per trip | Local shipment of bagged materials | Some stores waive fees above a minimum |
For hired work, labor and minimum service charges can exceed the cost of the bags themselves. For example, two hours of labor at $75 per hour adds $150 before materials, travel, or tax. A contractor may quote a flat price rather than list an hourly rate.
For a one- or two-bag task, buying retail and mixing by hand may avoid equipment rental. Larger pours can require many bags, several mixing cycles, and a crew; the labor estimate should reflect those tasks rather than just the time spent carrying bags.
How Bag Weight, Yield, and Pour Size Change the Total
Bag weight affects both the checkout total and the number of bags needed. An 80-pound bag of standard mix produces about 0.6 cubic foot, a 60-pound bag about 0.45 cubic foot, and a 40-pound bag about 0.3 cubic foot. A 1-cubic-foot pour therefore takes roughly two 80-pound bags, before allowing for waste or an uneven base.
Calculate the pour volume first, then buy enough bags to cover the yield plus a modest allowance for spillage and irregular edges. A rectangle’s volume in cubic feet is length in feet multiplied by width in feet and depth in feet. For a 4-by-4-foot pad that is 4 inches deep, the volume is about 4.45 cubic feet, requiring approximately eight 80-pound bags at 0.6 cubic foot each.
Thickness can change the material bill quickly. A 10-by-10-foot slab at 4 inches thick needs about 33.3 cubic feet, or roughly 56 bags of 80-pound mix before waste. At $5-$8 per bag, the mix alone would be about $280-$448. A thicker 6-inch slab of the same area needs 50 cubic feet, or about 84 bags, raising bag cost to approximately $420-$672.
Specialty mix choice also affects the estimate. Fast-setting mix is often priced $2-$4 more per 80-pound bag than a basic mix, though store pricing varies. It can be useful when the application calls for rapid setting, but its shorter working time may make a large pour harder to place without sufficient help.
How U.S. Store Prices and Delivery Distance Affect Bags
Bag prices can differ by retailer, state, and local demand. A store in a high-cost metro area may price standard 80-pound bags around 5%-15% above a lower-cost rural or suburban market. Remote locations can also have limited stock or higher freight costs, while promotions and contractor-volume purchases may reduce the shelf price.
Compare the delivered price per cubic foot, not just the shelf price per bag. A low-priced bag far from the job can become more expensive after delivery or fuel charges. For a small order, the delivery fee may add $50-$150 to the bill; for a larger order, a store’s minimum threshold or bulk discount can change the math.
Bagged concrete is heavy. An 80-pound bag weighs 80 pounds before packaging, so a 20-bag purchase weighs about 1,600 pounds. Some retailers offer curbside pickup or local delivery, but unloading may be the buyer’s responsibility. Confirm whether the delivery vehicle can reach the site and whether the charge includes placement at the driveway or only curbside drop-off.
Sales can make a noticeable difference when the project needs dozens of bags. A discount of $1 per bag saves $56 on a 56-bag order. However, buying extra bags that may harden in storage can erase savings; bags should be kept dry and used before moisture damages the mix.
How to Cut the Quikrete Bill Without Shorting the Pour
Measure the project carefully and use the product’s stated yield to estimate quantities. Rounding up by a small margin is sensible for rough forms, but a large unexplained surplus ties up money and creates disposal work. If the base is uneven, correcting it before mixing can reduce overuse caused by unexpectedly deep sections.
Control the volume and avoid paying for a specialty mix unless the job needs its properties. Standard concrete mix is generally less expensive than fast-setting formulations. Follow the intended application and product instructions rather than substituting a cheaper mix that may not suit the repair or structure.
For projects requiring many bags, compare bagged mix with ready-mix delivery. A truck may have a minimum order, short-load fee, and access requirements, so it is not automatically cheaper. Request a complete quote that lists concrete, delivery, minimum charges, and any pumping or placement fees, then compare it with bag costs plus labor and equipment.
Reduce incidental charges by combining store purchases, checking delivery thresholds, and arranging materials before labor arrives. If a contractor is doing the work, ask whether the quote includes bags, base preparation, formwork, cleanup, and tax. Separate line items make it easier to identify whether material purchasing or the scope of work is driving the total.
How Many Bags a Patio, Post, or Small Repair Takes
Quantity depends on dimensions and depth, not simply the visible surface area. A 4-by-4-foot pad at 4 inches requires about 56 cubic feet? No; its volume is about 4.45 cubic feet, or approximately eight 80-pound bags. At retail prices of $5-$8 each, the concrete mix costs roughly $40-$64, excluding base material, forms, and labor.
Post holes use less concrete than a slab but vary with hole diameter and depth. A cylindrical hole 12 inches wide and 24 inches deep holds about 1.05 cubic feet, which takes roughly two 80-pound bags at 0.6 cubic foot per bag. For six similar holes, plan on about 12 bags, or $60-$96 for standard mix, with actual quantity adjusted to post dimensions and the hole shape.
A small crack or patch may take less than one full bag, but product-specific repair materials are commonly sold in smaller packages and can cost $10-$30. Buying a full concrete bag for a minor patch may leave a costly remainder. Check whether the repair calls for a concrete mix, mortar, crack filler, or resurfacer because these products are not interchangeable.
These examples exclude waste, reinforcement, excavation, and finishing supplies. Add a small allowance where the form is irregular or the ground is soft, and verify the package yield before purchasing. For a structural footing or slab, local requirements may specify dimensions, reinforcement, or concrete properties that change the quantity and material cost.
When Bagged Mix Costs More Than Ready-Mix Concrete
Bagged concrete is often practical for a few cubic feet, repairs, fence posts, and locations where a truck cannot reach. Once a project needs dozens of bags, repeated mixing can add substantial labor and delay. Ready-mix prices vary widely, but a small-load delivery may include a minimum charge or short-load fee; compare the delivered quote with bag cost, rental, and crew time.
For a 10-by-10-foot, 4-inch slab, 56 bags at $5-$8 cost about $280-$448 before labor and tools. Mixing that quantity by hand can require many batches and consistent water measurement. A ready-mix quote might be more efficient, but access, minimum volume, delivery timing, and finishing help all affect whether it is less expensive overall.
For fewer than 10 bags, hand mixing in a wheelbarrow or tub may be economical if the work is manageable. A portable mixer rental at $40-$100 per day can make sense for a larger bagged job, especially when mixing quality and pace matter. The rental rate does not necessarily include transport, cleaning fees, or additional tools.
Bagged mix also allows staged work, which can help when a small repair cannot be completed in one truck delivery. The trade-off is that separate batches need careful timing and placement to avoid visible or weak joints. A contractor can advise whether the project size and access conditions favor bags or delivered concrete.
What a Realistic Bagged Concrete Budget Includes
A simple post-setting job with four 80-pound bags may cost $20-$32 for standard mix. Add $10-$30 for gravel, if needed, and roughly $5-$15 for a mixing tub or basic supplies if they are not already available. A DIY total of about $35-$75 is plausible before tax, while hiring help can add a minimum labor charge that pushes the project well above the materials bill.
A small patio or pad can cost several hundred dollars in mix alone, even before preparation and labor. The 4-by-4-foot, 4-inch pad example takes around eight 80-pound bags, costing $40-$64. Forms, a compacted base, reinforcement where specified, and finishing tools can add another $40-$150 in materials or rentals.
For a 10-by-10-foot slab at 4 inches, approximately 56 bags cost $280-$448. A mixer rental may add $40-$100, and hired labor can add $300-$800 or more depending on site preparation, crew size, access, and finishing scope. The resulting small-project total may land around $620-$1,350 before unusual excavation, reinforcement, or disposal expenses.
Use these examples as planning ranges rather than guaranteed quotes. Local labor rates, tax, project access, and the product selected can shift the final amount. A useful estimate lists bag count, yield, delivery, rental, labor hours, and any preparation or finishing charges separately.