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CalcRiver

Concrete Cost Calculator

Estimate the total cost of your concrete project including material and labor. Get instant pricing for driveways, patios, and slabs.

1. Project Dimensions

2. Pricing

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Average range: $110 - $160 per yard

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Average range: $4 - $8 per sq.ft

Accurately estimating the budget for a construction project is essential to avoid surprises. This Concrete Cost Calculator helps homeowners and contractors estimate the total expense of a pour by combining material volume costs with optional labor rates.

How this calculator works

To provide a reliable concrete calculator cost estimate, this tool performs two main calculations:

  1. Volume & Material: It calculates the total cubic yardage based on your dimensions (Length × Width × Thickness) and multiplies it by the local price per yard.
  2. Area & Labor: If you hire a contractor, they often charge by the square foot for grading, forming, and finishing. The tool calculates the square footage and applies your labor rate.

Understanding concrete pricing

When using a ready mix concrete calculator cost tool, it's important to know the market rates.

  • Material Costs: Ready-mix concrete typically costs between $110 and $160 per cubic yard delivered, depending on your region and mix strength (PSI).
  • Labor Costs: A concrete labor cost calculator factor typically ranges from $4 to $8 per square foot. This covers site preparation, forming, reinforcement (rebar/mesh), pouring, and finishing.
  • Short Load Fees: If you order less than a full truckload (usually under 4-6 yards), suppliers may charge an extra "short load" fee.

Pro Tip: Concrete prices vary significantly by region. We highly recommend adding 5-10% extra volume to your order to account for spillage, over-excavation, and uneven subgrades.

Real-world cost examples

1. Standard Driveway (20' x 20')

For a 400 sq. ft. driveway poured 6 inches thick:

  • Volume: Approx 7.4 cubic yards.
  • Material: @ $130/yard = ~$962.
  • Labor: @ $5/sq. ft. = $2,000.
  • Total Estimated Cost: ~$2,962.

2. Backyard Patio (12' x 12')

For a 144 sq. ft. patio poured 4 inches thick:

  • Volume: Approx 1.8 cubic yards.
  • Material: @ $140/yard = ~$252 (Warning: might incur short load fees). For small jobs, consider checking our Concrete Bag Calculator.
  • Labor: @ $6/sq. ft. = $864.
  • Total Estimated Cost: ~$1,116.

For precise volume numbers without costs, use our Concrete Volume Calculator.

? Frequently Asked Questions

The average cost of ready-mix concrete in the US ranges from $115 to $160 per cubic yard, depending on local demand and mix strength.

Divide the total cost (Material + Labor) by the total square footage of your project. For example, if a 100 sq ft slab costs $800 total, the cost is $8 per square foot.

Usually, labor is charged by square footage (area), not volume. However, significantly thicker slabs (e.g., 8 inches+) require more effort to screed and finish, which might increase the labor rate.

For projects under 1 cubic yard (approx 45 bags), buying bags is usually cheaper. For anything over 2 yards, ordering a truck is more cost-effective and saves immense physical labor.

Yes, this tool works perfectly for interior concrete flooring estimates. Just input your room dimensions and use the labor toggle for polishing or staining costs per square foot.