Concrete footing cost per cubic yard typically runs $300-$700 installed, while ready-mix concrete alone is often $140-$200 per cubic yard before delivery and placement. Excavation, footing dimensions, soil conditions, access, and local labor rates can move a project quote considerably.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete | $140/yd³ | $170/yd³ | $200/yd³ | Concrete only; delivery may cost extra |
| Installed footing concrete | $300/yd³ | $450/yd³ | $700/yd³ | Typical straightforward residential work |
| Small footing job | $600 | $1,500 | $3,500 | Minimum charges and excavation affect totals |
Assumptions: U.S. residential work, standard concrete mix, ordinary access, and no unusual engineering or soil remediation.
What installed concrete footings cost per cubic yard
For a typical residential project, a contractor may charge $300-$700 per cubic yard for concrete footings, including common excavation, forms, placement, and basic finishing. The average is about $450 per cubic yard when the site is accessible and the footing layout is uncomplicated. This is an installed-work estimate, not a guaranteed national rate.
Concrete volume is only one part of the quote. Small jobs may cost more per yard because a crew, truck, or concrete delivery has a minimum charge. A project requiring 1-2 cubic yards can therefore have a higher per-yard price than a larger foundation pour.
Budget around $450 per cubic yard for a standard installed footing, then check whether excavation, delivery, and disposal are included.
How excavation, forms, and delivery shape the quote
Ask contractors to separate concrete supply from the work needed to prepare and pour the footings. The ranges below are common planning figures; quantities, access, and local rates change the final bid.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete | $140-$200 per yd³ | Mix strength, additives, and local supplier rates |
| Delivery and short-load fees | $75-$250 per load | Distance and orders below the supplier minimum |
| Excavation and soil handling | $8-$30 per linear ft | Depth, soil hardness, and haul-off needs |
| Forms and reinforcing steel | $5-$20 per linear ft | Footing width, bar count, and form complexity |
| Placement labor | $50-$100 per worker-hour | Crew size, access, and pour conditions |
For example, 16 crew labor-hours at a blended $75 per hour equals $1,200 in labor before materials or equipment.
A useful quote identifies concrete, labor, delivery, and excavation separately so minimum fees are visible.
Footing width, depth, and soil conditions change volume
Footing dimensions determine concrete quantity and can also increase excavation and formwork. A continuous footing that is 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep uses about 0.033 cubic yard per linear foot, before waste. At 100 linear feet, that is roughly 3.3 cubic yards; a 10% allowance brings the order to about 3.6 cubic yards.
Increasing width from 16 inches to 24 inches raises concrete volume by 50% at the same depth. Depth matters too: footings deeper than 12 inches may require more excavation, stronger forms, or additional reinforcing. Rocky ground, groundwater, or loose fill can add $500-$2,500 or more for extra equipment, dewatering, or soil removal.
Confirm footing dimensions from the approved plan; a small change in width or depth can add substantial volume across a long foundation run.
How many crew hours does a footing pour take
A straightforward job of 3-6 cubic yards may take a three-person crew about 6-12 hours for layout, forming, placement, and cleanup, with excavation completed separately or included in that schedule. Difficult digging, hand-carrying concrete, or tight access can stretch the work to multiple days. Labor commonly represents $600-$2,400 for a small-to-medium pour, depending on the crew and local hourly rates.
Concrete trucks generally unload on a schedule, so a delayed site or incomplete forms can trigger extra labor or waiting fees. The labor estimate should state whether it includes setup, reinforcing steel, placing, and removal of forms.
Have the excavation, forms, and reinforcement ready before the truck arrives to reduce paid crew time and possible waiting charges.
Regional concrete footing prices vary by about 10% to 30%
Quotes in high-cost metropolitan areas and parts of the Northeast or West Coast may run 10%-30% above a national planning estimate because of labor, permits, delivery traffic, and disposal charges. Many Midwest and Southern markets fall closer to typical ranges, while remote rural sites can also cost more when the truck travels farther or the job is below a supplier’s load minimum.
Concrete supply is local, so two nearby counties can have different delivery fees and ready-mix prices. Compare at least two itemized bids from contractors who serve the same area, and verify that both include the same footing dimensions and scope.
Use regional percentages as a screening tool, then rely on local bids for a firm budget.
Three footing quotes show why total size matters
A 20-foot shed footing using a 12-inch-wide by 8-inch-deep continuous trench needs about 0.5 cubic yard before waste. With a small-load delivery, basic forming, and labor, an illustrative total may be $700-$1,300.
A 100-foot residential foundation run with 16-by-8-inch footings uses about 3.6 cubic yards with a 10% allowance. With ordinary excavation and reinforcement, a plausible installed quote is $2,000-$4,000, or about $560-$1,110 per cubic yard because the job is still relatively small.
A 250-foot footing run at the same dimensions uses about 9 cubic yards including waste. Better equipment utilization may put the total near $4,000-$7,000, or roughly $445-$780 per cubic yard, assuming normal access and soil.
These examples are budget illustrations, not bids; site conditions and local minimum charges can shift totals.
Where to trim footing costs without cutting specifications
Keep the approved footing dimensions and reinforcement requirements intact, but avoid paying for unnecessary scope. Ask whether excavation can use the site’s existing equipment, whether excavated soil can remain on the property, and whether multiple foundation pours can be scheduled together to reduce separate delivery fees.
Get written quotes that specify cubic yards, concrete strength, delivery charges, excavation depth, reinforcing steel, form removal, and disposal. A very low price may exclude one or more of these items. Avoid ordering far more concrete than the plan requires; use measured dimensions and a reasonable 5%-10% allowance, adjusting for uneven trenches.
The safest savings usually come from reducing repeat mobilization and clarifying inclusions, not reducing engineered footing size or concrete quality.