Concrete Cost Calculator
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Cost comparison
240 ft² slab · 3.26 yd³ with waste · ready-mix order 3.5 yd³ or 147 bags
- 147 × 80 lb bag$956
- Gravel base$180
- Reinforcement$120
- Forms & supplies$96.00
- Ready-mix concrete$578
- Short-load fee$75.00
- Gravel base$180
- Reinforcement$120
- Forms & supplies$96.00
- Ready-mix concrete$578
- Short-load fee$75.00
- Gravel base$180
- Reinforcement$120
- Forms & supplies$96.00
- Contractor markup$157
- Labour (place & finish)$960
Break-even: at these prices a ready-mix truck is cheaper than 80 lb bags above about 0.59 yd³.
How the estimate works
The calculator works out the concrete volume with waste, then prices the same slab three ways:
- DIY with bags: the number of bags × your bag price, plus base, reinforcement, forms and any removal.
- DIY with ready-mix: the order rounded up to the next quarter yard (or 0.1 m³) × your price, plus delivery, any short-load fee and pump, plus the same site costs.
- Hire a contractor: the ready-mix and site materials, an optional markup, plus labour per square foot (or m²) to place and finish.
The prices filled in when you first open the calculator are examples only, chosen to be easy to replace. They are not quotes or averages. Concrete, delivery and labour prices vary several-fold between regions and seasons.
What goes into the cost of a concrete slab
| Cost item | What drives it |
|---|---|
| Concrete | Volume, mix strength, additives (fiber, accelerators, color), local plant prices |
| Delivery and short-load fees | Distance from the plant and orders below the plant's minimum load |
| Pump truck | Needed when the mixer can't reach the forms, for example in back yards |
| Base | Depth of compacted gravel and any excavation |
| Reinforcement | Wire mesh, rebar grid or fiber mix |
| Forms and supplies | Form boards, stakes, expansion joint, curing compound |
| Labour | Slab size, access, finish (broom, smooth, stamped) and local labour rates |
| Removal | Breaking out and hauling away an old slab |
How to get accurate prices
Call two or three ready-mix plants near you and ask:
- What is the price per cubic yard (or m³) for the mix I need, including delivery?
- What is your minimum order, and what is the short-load fee below it?
- How much unloading time is included, and what do you charge for waiting?
- Are there extra charges for weekends, hot or cold weather additives, or fiber?
For contractor work, get at least three written quotes that state the slab thickness, base depth, reinforcement and finish, so you can compare them line by line with this estimate.
Ways to save on a concrete project
- Size the order carefully. Measuring the real base depth avoids paying for concrete you don't need, or for a second short load.
- Combine pours. If you have several small jobs, pour them on the same day to share one delivery.
- Do the prep yourself. Excavation, base and forms are where DIY effort saves the most without risking the finish.
- Avoid a pump if you can. Clear a path for the truck chute or use wheelbarrows for short distances.
Frequently asked questions
How much does concrete cost per yard?
Ready-mix prices vary widely by region, mix strength, season and order size, so this calculator uses prices you enter rather than a national average. Call two or three local ready-mix suppliers and ask for the price per yard including delivery and any short-load fee.
Is it cheaper to use bags or ready-mix?
Per cubic foot, bagged concrete usually costs more than truck-delivered concrete, but small pours avoid delivery and short-load fees. The calculator shows the break-even volume where a truck becomes cheaper than bags at your prices.
What is a short-load fee?
Many ready-mix suppliers add a fee when an order is below their minimum load, because the truck makes the same trip partly empty. Ask your supplier for their minimum and the fee, then enter both in the calculator.
What else adds to the cost of a concrete slab?
Besides the concrete itself: gravel base, forms, reinforcement (mesh or rebar), finishing labour, a pump truck if the truck cannot reach the forms, removal of an old slab, and in some places a permit. Each has its own line in the calculator.
How do I get an accurate contractor price?
Use this calculator to understand the materials and get a realistic range, then get at least three written quotes that list slab thickness, base depth, reinforcement and finish. Comparing quotes line by line is the best protection against surprises.