Concrete Cost Guide — Ready-Mix vs Bags
Short answer: under about half a yard, buy bags. Over about 1 yard, order ready-mix. Between the two, price both — the short-load fee decides. All prices below are typical ranges, not quotes: your supplier's quote is what counts.
Typical price ranges (2026, third-party reported)
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix, delivered | $130–$200 per cubic yard | 3,000 PSI baseline; higher-strength mixes add $10–$25/yd |
| 80 lb bag, retail | $5–$8 per bag | One yard = 45 bags, so $225–$360 per yard in bags alone |
| Short-load fee | $50–$150 | Charged on small orders; thresholds vary (some suppliers from ~3–4 yards, others up to ~8 yards) |
| Pump truck rental | $800–$1,200 per day | Only when the truck cannot reach the pour |
The 0.5-yard rule
| Your pour | Usually cheaper | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 0.5 cubic yards | Bags | 23 bags or fewer; no truck fee |
| 0.5 – 1 cubic yard | Price both | Short-load fee can erase the truck's per-yard advantage |
| Over 1 cubic yard | Ready-mix | 45+ bags by hand costs more in bags and labor, and early batches can set before late ones are poured |
Worked example: a 10 × 10 ft slab at 4 in = 1.23 cubic yards (before waste). Ready-mix at $165/yd = $203 plus any short-load fee. Bags: 56 × 80 lb at $6.50 = $364 plus your labor. Here the truck wins — unless the short-load fee is large.
Hidden costs to ask about
- Short-load fee — on small orders (thresholds vary, roughly 3–4 to 8 yards), often $50–$150.
- Minimum load — many suppliers require at least 1 cubic yard.
- Order rounding — many suppliers round ready-mix orders up to the next quarter cubic yard (for example, 2.61 becomes 2.75 yards), so a small over-order is built into the delivery.
- Fuel surcharge — varies with diesel prices.
- Weekend / after-hours delivery — premium rates.
- Pump truck — $800–$1,200/day when the pour is out of truck reach.
- Over-ordering — a wasted yard costs $130–$200; under-ordering risks a cold joint plus a second delivery fee.
Installed cost by project (2026, third-party reported)
Installed prices include labor and materials in third-party reports. They are not quotes — region, access, finish and site work move them a lot. Get a local quote before budgeting.
| Project | Typical installed range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Patio, broom finish | $6–$12 per sq ft | Most basic patios land at $8–$10 per sq ft |
| Driveway | $7–$13 per sq ft | About $2,800–$5,200 for a 20 × 20 ft two-car driveway |
| Garage floor | $6–$12 per sq ft | Reinforcement and thicker pours sit at the top of the range |
| Sidewalk / walkway | $8–$13 per sq ft | About $32–$52 per linear foot at the standard 4 ft width |
| Shed base | $6–$11 per sq ft | Small pads at the low end; access and base work move it |
| Pool deck | $6–$15 per sq ft | Broom finish $6–$12; stamped $10–$18 |
| Basement floor | $6–$11 per sq ft | New slab with a basic troweled finish |
Common add-ons (third-party reported): gravel base $1–$3 per sq ft; sealing $0.50–$2 per sq ft; stamped or decorative finishes $2–$6 per sq ft on top of the basic price. The Southeast and Midwest typically run lowest; the Northeast and West Coast typically run 15–35% higher. Poured-in-place steps run about $300–$500 per step installed in third-party reported ranges.
Try it with your own prices
Use the calculators with your supplier's actual numbers — the price fields accept your local quote and show both routes side by side:
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of concrete cost?
Typical 2026 third-party reported ranges put ready-mix delivery around $130–$200 per cubic yard, varying by region, mix strength and fuel surcharges. Always get a local quote — prices are not national fixed rates.
Is it cheaper to buy bags or ready-mix?
Under about half a cubic yard, bags are usually cheaper. Over about 1 cubic yard, ready-mix is usually cheaper per yard, because one yard takes 45 × 80 lb bags plus your labor. Between half and 1 yard, price both — short-load fees can tip the balance.
What is a short-load fee?
A fee suppliers charge for delivering less than a full truckload, charged on small orders; thresholds vary by supplier, roughly 3–4 yards at some and up to about 8 yards at others. Typical reported short-load fees run about $50–$150. It can make a small ready-mix order more expensive than bags.
How much does a concrete patio cost per square foot installed?
Third-party reported ranges for 2026 put a basic broom-finish patio at $6–$12 per square foot installed, with most projects at $8–$10. Region, access and finish move the price — get a local quote.