The price of premix concrete ranges from about $120 to $200 per cubic yard for standard ready-mix delivery, while small bagged batches commonly cost $5 to $9 per 80-pound bag. Order size, mix strength, delivery distance, site access, labor, and whether the concrete arrives by truck or in bags drive the final bill.
For a typical professionally placed driveway or patio, concrete and delivery may cost $1,500 to $4,000 before extensive excavation, reinforcement, or finishing.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete | $120 per cu yd | $155 per cu yd | $200 per cu yd | Common 3,000-4,000 PSI mixes, before extra delivery charges |
| 80-lb bagged premix | $5 per bag | $7 per bag | $9 per bag | Yields roughly 0.6 cu ft; retail price varies by mix |
| Small ready-mix order | $450 total | $750 total | $1,200 total | May include a short-load fee for less than a truckload |
| Installed concrete slab | $6 per sq ft | $10 per sq ft | $18 per sq ft | Basic flatwork; site preparation and finish affect price |
Ready-mix concrete prices by cubic yard
Ready-mix concrete is commonly priced by the cubic yard, delivered from a batch plant in a mixer truck. A standard residential mix generally costs $120-$200 per cubic yard, with a broad U.S. midpoint near $155. The quoted rate typically covers the mix itself and ordinary truck delivery, but not necessarily unloading delays, a pump, special admixtures, or small-load charges.
A basic 10-by-10-foot patio poured 4 inches thick needs about 1.23 cubic yards before waste. With 5%-10% extra for uneven forms and spillage, a practical order is approximately 1.3-1.4 cubic yards. At $155 per yard, the concrete alone is roughly $200-$220, but the supplier’s minimum order or short-load charge can make the actual delivered bill much higher.
Ready-mix is usually the economical choice once a project needs several cubic yards and a truck can reach the pour. A 20-by-20-foot slab at 4 inches thick uses about 4.94 cubic yards before waste, or roughly 5.2-5.5 yards with an allowance. At $120-$200 per yard, that quantity costs about $625-$1,100 for concrete, before placement labor and other site work.
Assumptions: standard residential mix, normal truck access, typical U.S. market; local quotes can fall outside these ranges.
What mixer-truck quotes include beyond the concrete
A quote can list the concrete at one rate and add charges for delivery, waiting, pumping, or mix specifications. Ask whether the quoted price includes fuel or environmental fees, the amount of included unloading time, and the charge for returning with unused concrete. A low per-yard figure can be misleading if it excludes several of these line items.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete mix | $120-$200 | Strength, aggregate, and additives | Per cubic yard |
| Short-load fee | $100-$400 | Order size below supplier minimum | Per delivery |
| Concrete pump | $500-$1,200 | Reach, setup, and pump type | Per job or minimum callout |
| Extended truck waiting | $75-$150 | Time beyond included unloading window | Per hour or portion of an hour |
| Color or specialty additive | $5-$30 | Color intensity and product | Per cubic yard |
| Placement and finishing labor | $3-$10 | Slab size, access, thickness, and finish | Per sq ft, often with a minimum |
Delivery minimums differ by plant and location. A supplier might require a full truckload of around 8-10 cubic yards for the best rate, while orders below 3-5 yards may trigger a short-load charge. Some plants permit partial loads without a large surcharge when the delivery route is convenient or demand is low.
Compare the delivered total for the required quantity, not only the advertised price per yard. Confirm whether sales tax applies, whether the quote includes a fuel surcharge, and whether the delivery fee changes for a narrow driveway or a long wheelbarrow haul.
How slab thickness, strength, and access change yardage
Concrete quantity is the biggest controllable part of a ready-mix order. Calculate length in feet × width in feet × thickness in feet, then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. Add roughly 5%-10% for a well-formed slab; irregular excavation, soft edges, or deepened footings can require more.
Thickness changes the volume quickly. A 400-square-foot slab needs about 4.94 cubic yards at 4 inches thick, but approximately 7.41 yards at 6 inches. At $120-$200 per yard, that extra 2.47 yards adds around $300-$495 for the mix alone. Extra thickness may be required by the design or intended load, so reducing it without checking structural needs can create expensive cracking or failure.
Strength also matters. Many patios and walkways use 3,000-3,500 PSI concrete, while garages, driveways, or other higher-load applications may call for 4,000 PSI or more. A higher-strength mix can add roughly $5-$20 per yard, depending on the plant and specification. Air entrainment for freeze-thaw exposure, fiber reinforcement, and rapid-setting additives can add further charges.
Truck access affects labor and equipment costs rather than just mix price. If the truck cannot discharge near the forms, crews may need wheelbarrows, a concrete buggy, a conveyor, or a pump. A pump commonly adds $500-$1,200, while a narrow access path or a 50-foot-plus hose reach can increase setup time and the minimum charge.
Measure finished dimensions and confirm the required mix specification before requesting a quote. Assumptions: slab dimensions are level and measured inside the forms; actual volume can increase with footings, slopes, or over-excavation.
How to lower the premix bill without shorting the pour
Accurate ordering is the most useful way to control cost. Measure form dimensions in several places, check thickness, and account for thickened edges separately. Order a reasonable waste allowance, but avoid adding a large safety margin automatically. A supplier or contractor can review the volume estimate before the pour, especially when the site has a slope or irregular perimeter.
Coordinate site preparation and crew readiness to avoid truck waiting fees. Forms, reinforcement, tools, access routes, and enough workers should be ready before the truck arrives. A delay can cost $75-$150 per hour, and a truck that cannot discharge promptly may create both extra charges and concrete-placement problems.
For a small project, compare the full short-load fee against bagged concrete or a shared pour with another planned project. For larger jobs, ask suppliers for written quotes at the same quantity, mix strength, delivery window, and unloading conditions. Scheduling during a less busy period may help with availability, though local demand and plant capacity determine whether a discount is possible.
Do not save money by ordering a weaker mix, reducing required thickness, or skipping reinforcement specified for the application. Instead, remove optional color, specialty finishes, or unnecessary additives from the quote, and compare basic broom-finished flatwork with more labor-intensive decorative options.
Bagged premix versus truck delivery for small pours
Bagged premix is convenient for a post, step, small repair, or a pour where a mixer truck cannot reach. An 80-pound bag typically yields about 0.6 cubic feet, so one cubic yard requires approximately 45 bags. At $5-$9 each, that is roughly $225-$405 in bagged mix per cubic yard, before a mixer, delivery, or labor. Smaller 60-pound bags generally yield less and still require handling each bag.
For a 10-by-10-foot, 4-inch patio, 1.3-1.4 cubic yards with waste would take about 59-63 80-pound bags. The materials alone could cost about $295-$565, and transporting, mixing, and placing that many bags can take several workers several hours. Ready-mix with a short-load charge may cost less overall if a truck can reach the forms and the supplier offers a reasonable minimum-order price.
Bagged concrete can be more practical when the total amount is under about 0.5 cubic yard, the pour is spread across separate repairs, or access prevents truck placement. However, larger pours made by mixing bags one at a time risk inconsistent water content and visible color variation. A portable mixer may cost $40-$100 per day to rent, and a hand-mixed batch increases labor substantially.
Compare the complete project cost, including bag count and mixing labor, rather than comparing one bag with one cubic yard. Concrete yield varies by product, so the bag label’s stated coverage should determine the final count.
Regional ready-mix rates from city to rural delivery
Local concrete prices reflect cement and aggregate supply, fuel, labor, plant competition, and travel distance. In parts of the Midwest and South with nearby batch plants and aggregate sources, standard ready-mix may fall near $120-$170 per yard. Large coastal metros and areas with higher labor or land costs can run 10%-25% above a comparable local baseline, often around $150-$220 per yard.
Rural jobs are not automatically cheaper. A rural plant may have lower overhead, but a longer haul, limited supplier choice, or a small order can add fees. Delivery more than 20-30 miles from the plant may trigger a mileage or fuel charge, while remote locations can face a 5%-20% premium over a nearby urban quote.
Weather and seasonal demand also affect scheduling. In cold-weather regions, winter pours can require hot water, heated aggregates, blankets, or cold-weather admixtures, potentially adding $5-$25 per yard or more depending on conditions. During busy spring and summer periods, contractors and pumps may book out, and rushed scheduling can increase labor or equipment charges.
Request quotes from suppliers serving the actual project address and compare their delivered totals on the same date and specification. A price from a plant 5 miles away is not a reliable benchmark for a site 30 miles from its nearest competitor.
Labor hours and crew size for a residential slab
For straightforward flatwork, placement and finishing labor often costs $3-$10 per square foot, with small-job minimums pushing the rate higher. A 400-square-foot patio may take a crew of three to five workers about 4-8 hours for placement and finishing after forms and base preparation are complete. Complex edges, stairs, multiple levels, or decorative stamping can extend the work and raise labor charges.
Preparation is commonly quoted separately. Basic grading, compacted gravel base, form installation, and reinforcement may add roughly $2-$8 per square foot, depending on excavation depth, soil, demolition, and disposal. Removing an old slab can cost an additional $2-$6 per square foot, with higher charges for difficult access or heavy reinforced concrete.
Labor estimates can be checked against the crew’s rate and time allowance. A three-person crew working 6 hours at $60-$100 per worker-hour implies $1,080-$1,800 in direct labor before overhead, materials, and profit. This is an estimating aid, not a guaranteed contractor price; some companies quote flat rates by square foot or by the full project.
Ask whether the bid includes base preparation, form removal, reinforcement placement, finishing, curing protection, and cleanup. Two labor quotes can differ substantially because one includes only the pour while the other covers the full slab installation.
Three premix concrete quotes for common projects
A 4-by-4-foot air-conditioning pad, 4 inches thick, uses about 0.2 cubic yard before waste. Bagged mix may cost $35-$75 for roughly 9-11 80-pound bags, while a ready-mix delivery can cost $300-$700 once a minimum or short-load charge is added. Simple homeowner placement avoids a contractor crew charge, but the forms and base still need to be prepared.
A 10-by-10-foot patio, 4 inches thick, needs about 1.3-1.4 yards including a modest waste allowance. Ready-mix and a short-load fee may total $450-$900. With basic base preparation and professional placement, the project could reach $1,200-$2,500, depending on access and finish. A crew of three or four may spend 4-8 hours placing and finishing the pour.
A 20-by-20-foot driveway section, 5 inches thick, takes about 6.2 cubic yards before waste and roughly 6.5-6.8 yards with an allowance. Mix at $120-$200 per yard costs about $780-$1,360, with delivery or a short-load adjustment potentially bringing concrete charges to $900-$1,700. Including removal, base preparation, reinforcement where specified, and finishing, a practical installed range is about $4,000-$8,000.
These examples are planning ranges, not firm bids; regional pricing, excavation, drainage, reinforcement, and access can shift totals. Each assumes standard gray concrete and ordinary residential work rather than decorative finishes or engineering-intensive slabs.
Permits, reinforcement, and removal that change project totals
Permit requirements depend on local rules, project size, location, and whether the work changes drainage or affects a public area. A basic private patio may not require a permit in some jurisdictions, while a driveway approach, retaining structure, or significant grading may need review. Permit and inspection fees commonly range from $50-$500, but requirements and charges vary by city or county.
Reinforcement costs depend on the plans and intended loads. Welded wire mesh may add about $0.20-$0.60 per square foot for material, while rebar grids can add roughly $0.50-$1.50 per square foot before installation labor. These are broad material estimates; bar diameter, spacing, slab edge details, and local steel prices change the quote. Reinforcement should match the design rather than be added or removed based only on a generic cost range.
Demolition and disposal are separate from new concrete delivery. Breaking and hauling away an existing slab often adds $2-$6 per square foot, and disposal fees can rise for thick, reinforced concrete or restricted truck access. Soil correction, drainage work, and utility conflicts can add further charges when discovered after excavation begins.
Ask the contractor to identify permit fees, demolition, disposal, reinforcement, and possible site-condition allowances as separate quote lines. A written scope makes it easier to compare bids and reduces the chance that a low initial figure excludes necessary work.