
Between the endless customizations and decades of strength, the cost of a concrete driveway may be worth the investment. Let's break down your bottom line.
The cost of concrete delivery averages around $5,430, and most pay between $2,115 and $8,761. A pro will factor in the quality and location for your total cost.
Most companies charge by cubic yard, so get an accurate measurement for your project before ordering.
If you need less than a cubic yard of concrete for a small project, buying concrete in bags and mixing it yourself is more affordable.
High PSI concrete can cost 20% more than fast-setting or general-purpose concrete.
Don’t forget to budget for reinforcement, like rebar, as well as concrete surfacing and finishing.
The average cost of concrete delivery is about $5,430, with a range of $2,115 to $8,761. Concrete delivery is one task that’s best left to the professionals, especially for larger projects. Hiring a concrete company can save a lot of time and hassle, but you’ll usually pay extra for delivery costs.
The average cost of concrete per yard is about $130, with a range of $110 to $150 per cubic yard. For most large concrete projects, you’ll need to order concrete by the cubic yard. However, for some smaller projects, you may be able to order concrete by the cubic foot.
You can also order concrete by the truckload. A truckload contains about 10 cubic yards of material, though that amount may vary between companies. The average truckload of concrete costs $1,100 to $1,440.
You can either ask your concrete company how much concrete you’ll need, or you can estimate the amount based on the specific project. You should note, though, that per-project volumes are just estimates.
Concrete Project | Volume Needed (Cubic Yards) |
---|---|
10’ by 10’ patio | 2 |
10’ by 20’ patio | 3 |
20’ by 20’ patio | 5 |
30’ by 20’ patio | 8 |
Single-car driveway | 5 |
Two-car driveway | 10 |
Sidewalk | 1–2 |
3-step concrete stairs | 1 |
4-step concrete stairs | 2 |
Concrete stairs (flight) | 3–4 |
Delivering concrete for a standard pour like a concrete driveway costs between $1,000 and $2,000, while a foundation costs between $2,000 and $8,000. Professional concrete delivery near you is convenient, but you’ll pay extra for delivery costs.
There are a few different types of concrete you can purchase, and you can determine the type you need based on your project. General purpose or “standard” concrete is going to be suitable for most residential concrete projects, but you might want to opt for a stronger concrete for certain applications.
Type of Concrete | Best Projects by PSI | Average Cost per Cubic Yard |
---|---|---|
Fast-setting | Walkways, sidewalks (3,000 PSI) | $125 |
General Purpose | Patios, walkways, sidewalks (3,000–3,500 PSI) | $130 |
High PSI | Driveways, home foundations (4,000 PSI) | $150 |
There are a few options for the type of truck or system your delivery company uses, and the delivery cost associated with each is a little different.
Type of Truck | Average Cost per Cubic Yard | Description |
---|---|---|
Ready mix truck | $20 | Concrete mixed off-site and delivered to home; Ideal for large-scale projects |
Tow behind mixer | $25 | Sits on a trailer that your professional will tow to your property; Ideal for smaller projects |
Volumetric truck | $25 | Concrete mixed on-site; Ideal for multiple bundled projects |
Concrete delivery companies often charge extra for weekend or holiday deliveries. To avoid additional charges, check with your delivery company to make sure there aren’t any extra costs associated with your preferred delivery day.
Since every batch must be custom-mixed, contractors lose money with smaller loads. If you’re buying less than the average capacity of a cement truck, which is about 10 cubic yards, you may have to pay a “short load” fee of $40 to $60 per cubic yard.
Fuel surcharges typically cost between $20 and $40 per load. They can occur when the delivery distance is longer than usual.
Several additional costs may arise when pouring new concrete. Consider the following when setting your project budget.
Hiring a pro concrete installer to pour and spread your concrete can save you time and energy. You’ll also pay a higher total cost to account for the installation labor on top of the price of materials. Below are average installation costs for some common concrete installation jobs.
Type of Concrete Installation | Average Cost Range per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Basic Slab | $4.34–$7.73 |
Reinforced Concrete | $9.29–$10.04 |
Concrete Patio | $4.40–$16 |
Concrete Foundation | $4.50–$14 |
Concrete Driveway | $6–$14 |
Stamped Concrete | $9–$16.25 |
If you’re planning to pour concrete at a site where an older slab already exists, you’ll need to pay to have it removed. The average cost for professional concrete removal is $2 to $6 per square foot.
Before you can pour concrete, you might need to clear and level the area. The average cost of land excavation ranges from $50 to $200 per cubic yard. Professional land clearing costs between $200 and $6,000 per acre, plus $0.47 to $2.28 per square foot for leveling. Expect prices for this type of work to increase if you’re pouring concrete in an area that’s difficult to access.
Adding features like walkways, retaining walls, fresh sod, or flower beds can help make your project look finished.
Type of Landscaping Project | Average Cost Range |
---|---|
Sod Installation | $0.87–$1.76 per sq. ft. |
Walkway Installation | $10–$20 per sq. ft. |
Planting Trees or Bushes | $30–$3,000 |
Laying Mulch | $40–$115 per cu. yd. |
Planting Flower Beds | $650–$3,000 |
Retaining Wall Installation | $4,030–$8,720 |
Gazebo Installation | $5,370–$9,030 |
Hauling your own concrete is possible when using premixed concrete bags or dry concrete ingredients you must mix on-site. Doing so could incur truck or trailer rental costs. Rental costs vary widely between locations, and generally land between $120 and $150 per day.
For very small projects, like replacing a single section of a walkway, you could avoid delivery fees entirely.
Mixing the right concrete and water ratio is a crucial first step. A too wet or too dry concrete mixture will result in cracking and structural failures over time. A masonry contractor will know the proper ratio for your specific project.
DIY concrete installation can save significantly on labor costs if you know how to mix concrete, but it's challenging even for seasoned DIYers. Concrete is heavy and needs specialized equipment for mixing. For small projects, you can mix premixed cement and water in a wheelbarrow, but you'll need about 40 bags for 1 cubic yard.
Concrete's strength is sensitive to water ratios. When using ready-mix concrete, water ratios are pre-measured. For DIY projects, precise measurement is crucial to avoid compromising the project's strength or extending curing time. For larger projects, professional delivery is recommended. Professionals ensure a well-reinforced and consistent result, which is challenging to achieve with manual mixing.
If pouring concrete on your own, you have the option of purchasing premixed concrete, costing between $4.50 to $27 per bag, depending on the type of mix. These mixtures produce fast-setting concrete that’s excellent for small residential jobs, but you need to purchase multiple bags to cover just 1 cubic yard. Calculate how many bags you’ll need and see if buying in bulk from a concrete company would save money.
Bag Size | Total Cubic Yards | Bags Needed per Cubic Yard |
---|---|---|
50 lbs. | 0.014 | 70 |
60 lbs. | 0.017 | 60 |
70 lbs. | 0.02 | 50 |
80 lbs. | 0.022 | 45 |
95 lbs. | 0.027 | 40 |
While concrete installation is heavily governed by building code requirements with little room for structural changes to save money, there are still a few ways to reduce the overall cost of a project.
Use full truckloads if possible. Combining two or more projects so you can install enough concrete for one full truckload instead of multiple short loads will save substantial money.
Use premixed concrete. Pre-mixed concrete usually has lower delivery costs because there’s less labor involved than having your professional mix on site.
Transport the material yourself. For small projects, consider picking up bags of concrete from your local home improvement store and driving them to your property yourself to avoid delivery charges.
Perform some prep work if possible. Land clearing and sod removal are a couple of things that DIYers with the proper equipment can do before concrete installation to save some cash.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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