How Much Does Concrete Cost Per Yard in 2024?

Concrete costs fall between $120 and $150 per cubic yard, including material and delivery within 20 miles. Your final price will vary based on distance from the supplier, quantity ordered, and concrete type. 

Do note there’s an extra $43 per cubic yard charge for orders less than a truckload (usually 10 cubic yards). For instance, a standard shed slab around 10-foot long, 15-foot wide, and 4 inches thick, which requires about 1.85 cubic yards of concrete, could set you back anywhere from $302 to $357 (materials and delivery). 

Professional plain concrete pouring and finishing typically cost an additional $5.50 to $9.00 per square foot. Supplemental additions (like coloring or stamping) and potential permits required may increase the price even further.

Cost of Concrete Across the U.S.

The cost of concrete varies by region, mostly due to the availability and cost of *aggregate materials and transportation.

*Note: Aggregate materials refer to crushed stone, sand, and gravel added to concrete mixes. 

Costs are generally higher in regions with cold winter climates because of extra expenses associated with protecting the concrete during freeze-thaw cycles. 

Moreover, labor costs, regulations, taxes, and general cost of living can also affect the total concrete price.

Concrete Cost Estimation By Project Size

The two big factors that decide how much concrete you’ll need are the size and depth of your job. Here is how much one cubic yard covers:

• A 4-inch thick slab with an 81-square-foot area
• A 5-inch thick slab with a 65-square-foot area
• A 6-inch thick slab with a 54-square-foot area

This table breaks down some common job sizes with their approximate cubic yard requirement plus the short-load fee ($43 per cubic yard charge for orders less than 10 cubic yards)

*Note: If you’re looking to find out the cost of a concrete sidewalk or patio per square foot, our following pricing guides might help:

• How Much Does a Concrete Sidewalk Cost? 
• How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost? 

Concrete Cost by PSI (Strength)

The strength or PSI of concrete refers to the pounds per square inch that it can bear. PSI indicates how much weight your finished project can withstand, and based on this number, your concrete could fall within different price ranges.Generally speaking, the higher your concrete’s PSI, the stronger and more expensive it will be per cubic yard.

Delivery Distance Cost of Concrete 

Some concrete delivery companies might charge you per mile over a set radius. In other words, the company might not charge delivery fees for orders within a 20-mile radius, but they’ll charge an additional fee per mile if they need to travel any further than 20 miles. 

On average, homeowners can expect to pay $9.75 per mile over the set radius. If the concrete company doesn’t charge fees within 15 miles of their mixing site and you live 35 miles away, you’ll likely be charged around $195 to make up the distance. 

Delivery Day Cost of Concrete  

Delivery schedules also influence the final cost. If you want your concrete delivered over weekends or holidays, expect to pay an additional fee of $8 per cubic yard on the final bill. Some companies also charge additional fees for concrete provided after working hours. 

Pro tip: You can avoid this extra charge by ordering during the workweek. 

Cost by Type of Concrete Delivery 

Depending on your project needs, several concrete delivery options are available, each with a set cost.

Concrete Truck Time Fee  

Concrete companies offer around 7 to 8 minutes to unload each cubic yard of concrete before overtime charges apply. To avoid these extra costs of roughly $70 per hour, plan your needs meticulously and pour efficiently. 

Concrete Winter Surcharge

Extreme temperatures may cause your concrete’s price to rise due to a winter surcharge or a cold-weather blend. These fees are used to cover the increased costs of heating materials and any ice-melting additives necessary during colder months. 

Winter surcharges may add $5 to $7 per cubic yard or more.

Concrete Permits Cost

Building permits for concrete-related projects usually vary depending on your local building office. Small backyard projects like small sheds may not require one.

However, permits are generally a must for big tasks like house foundations or basement renovation. Depending on the project’s scope and size, costs could range between $25 and $300. Be sure to check with your local authorities before getting started.

How Many Concrete Bags Cover One Cubic Yard?

If you’re planning to go the pre-mixed bag route for your project and find yourself wondering how many bags are in a yard of concrete, basic concrete bag measurements include:

Pre-Mixed Concrete Bags vs. Bulk Orders Cost

The cost of pre-mixed concrete bags or bulk ordering down to the scale of your project. While purchasing pre-mixed bags can be a more economical option for small DIY jobs, they aren’t practical for large-scale projects due to the sheer volume that would be needed.

On average, an 80-lb bag of High Early Strength Cement costs $6.65. You’ll need to buy 34 bags to make 0.75 cubic yards of concrete, costing you about $226. 

On the other hand, having 0.75 cubic yards of concrete delivered to your home is usually much cheaper, costing about $129 (short load fee included). 

Concrete Professional Installation Cost 

Remember, concrete is commonly sold by the cubic yard, particularly for large projects. Buying in this way ensures you get just enough for your project, covering both surface area and depth adequately.

However, some services, like professionally installed concrete surfaces, may be quoted on a per-square-foot basis. Generally, it’s easier for homeowners to get an estimate and plan their budgets when they think about costs in terms of square footage.

Learn more about the different types of concrete in our related pricing guides:

• How Much Does a Concrete Slab Costs?
• How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost? 
• How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost?
• How Much Does a Concrete Sidewalk Cost?

*Notes: 

• You might handle little jobs, like small garden paths or tiny fixes. But when you need over two to three cubic yards of concrete, call a pro. Think how much time and physical labor it would take to mix, pour, and finish that much concrete on your own.
• Moreover, it often requires expertise, proper equipment, and an understanding of local building codes that DIY enthusiasts might not possess. 

Cost of Site Preparation

Preparing the site for your concrete pour can add costs to your projects. Site preparations include tasks like: 

Here is our complete guide on: How Much Does Concrete Removal Cost?

DIY vs. Pro Concrete Installation Cost

*The prices shown in the above table are for a typical 10 x 15-foot, 4-inch thick concrete shed slab, calculated using the national average cost of concrete per yard (pro installation) and bag (DIY project).

Investing in a concrete DIY project, such as installing a 10 x 15-foot shed slab with a 4-inch thickness, can cost around $1,161 to $1,186. This cost reflects around 10 to 12 hours of work over two days and assumes you’re not a stranger to this type of job. 

Getting the pros to handle your shed project might only take 6 to 8 hours. However, the cost will also reflect their expertise, typically between $1,127 and $1,652. This estimate includes material costs, a delivery fee for short load orders, and labor charges ($5.5 – $9 per square foot) for pouring plain concrete and finishing the slab.

FAQ About Concrete Cost

How much does it cost to pour a 24×24 slab of concrete?

Using an average cost of around $4.30 to $7.70 per square foot, a 24×24-foot (576-square-foot) slab would roughly range between $2,500 and $4,450 in material costs and basic labor. 

This estimate does not include any extras like texturing or staining if needed.

Is concrete worth the money?

Concrete-based projects can improve the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space, increase your home’s value, and provide long-lasting durability with just regular maintenance. Note, though, that final cost benefits truly depend on your individual project needs and priorities.

Is it cheaper to pour concrete or pavers?

Concrete is typically cheaper than pavers when evaluating the initial installation costs, with an average cost ranging between $4.30 to $7.70 per square foot (including materials and labor.) Pavers, on the other hand, can be more expensive due to their higher material and labor prices.  Expect to spend anywhere between $10 to $24 per square foot for paver installation. 

However, long-term maintenance costs should also be considered, as paver units can be replaced individually in case of damage, while concrete requires full or significant patchwork.

Call In the Pros

When you’re pouring a large slab of concrete, sometimes skipping the bags and buying in bulk can save you a lot of money. And don’t let calculating cubic yards scare you off –– It’s easy to determine how many cubic yards you’re going to need as long as you know the dimensions of your concrete slab. 
When you’re ready to order and pour, hire a local concrete company to handle the project.

Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.

Main Photo Credit: ArmchairBuilder.com / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Luminita Toma

Luminita Toma is a nature-loving writer who simply adores pretty flowers and lawns. After plenty of research and writing on lawn care and gardening, she's got a keen eye for plants and their maintenance. When she's got some spare time, there's nothing she enjoys more than chilling with her friends, hitting the theatre, or traveling.

Posts by Luminita Toma