What Concrete Actually Costs
Concrete cost has two components: materials and labour. This calculator covers materials — specifically the ready-mix or bag cost for your specific pour volume. Labour adds $3–$10 per square foot on top of materials, depending on finish complexity, site conditions, and your region.
Enter your local price per cubic yard in the price field. Call one or two local ready-mix suppliers for a quote — prices vary significantly by region and fluctuate with fuel and aggregate costs. National average as of 2025: $120–$200 per cubic yard for standard 3,000 PSI residential mix delivered.
What Affects Concrete Pricing
- Mix design (PSI) — Standard 3,000 PSI is the cheapest. Upgrade to 4,000 PSI for driveways and floors in freeze-thaw climates; add $10–$20 per yard. High-strength 5,000 PSI adds $30–$50 per yard.
- Additives — Fibres, accelerators, retarders, and air-entraining agents each add cost. Air-entrained concrete (required in freeze-thaw climates for driveways) typically adds $5–$15 per yard.
- Short-load fees — Most trucks carry 8–10 yards. Orders below the minimum (varies by supplier — typically 3–7 yards) incur a short-load charge of $50–$150. For small pours, ask about short-load pricing before assuming ready-mix is cost-effective.
- Regional variation — Concrete is heavy. Suppliers are local. Prices in rural areas or far from aggregate sources run higher than urban markets. Pacific Northwest, Northeast, and Hawaii run 15–30% above national averages.
- Seasonal demand — Spring and early summer are peak seasons. Some suppliers charge slightly more during peak demand or offer winter discounts for pours in colder months.
The cost estimate above covers concrete material only. Forming, reinforcement (rebar or wire mesh), finishing, sealing, and labour are separate costs. A fully installed residential slab typically runs 2–4× the material cost when all-in labour is included.
Need a different shape? The full Concrete Calculator covers slabs, footings, round columns, and post holes in one place.