Concrete Cost – Factors That Affect Your Final Bill

A concrete driveway, sidewalk or patio can boost a home’s value and save on maintenance costs. However, the cost of concrete depends on a number of factors, including material and labor.

For instance, a high-psi concrete slab for load-bearing structures costs more than a non-load-bearing patio. Regional differences in pricing and weather can also impact the cost of concrete.

Price of Concrete

Concrete projects can boost your home’s value and add durability, but they aren’t cheap. The cost of materials and labor make up the majority of a concrete project’s price. There are ways to reduce your costs, though. For instance, requesting a full truckload of concrete instead of several short loads will save money. Similarly, ordering the right strength of concrete is crucial to ensure your concrete lasts. You can choose from general purpose or specialty concrete based on the requirements of your project.

You can also opt for decorative concrete that will add a unique look to your home’s exterior or interior. Techniques like stamping, staining, and polishing can make concrete resemble more expensive materials such as flagstone, stone, or marble at a fraction of the cost.

Labor

Whether you buy concrete in bags or have a truckload delivered, labor is the largest component of your concrete cost. Some concrete companies include delivery within a set radius, while others charge an additional fee per mile beyond that radius.

Preparatory work may also increase your overall project costs. For example, if your job requires excavation or land grading, this can add significantly to the total price tag. Additionally, if your site is difficult to access, you might have to pay for crane rental or additional equipment hire.

Some concrete projects require permits, which vary by region and local building office. This can add $25 to $300 or more to your concrete cost, depending on the specific requirements of your permit. If you are able to perform some of the prep work yourself, such as land clearing or sod removal, this can save you money on labour costs. Also consider the option of picking up concrete yourself from a concrete mixer to avoid delivery charges.

Materials

Concrete is made from a mix of aggregates such as gravel or crushed stone, along with a binder such as cement. Cement, which is typically manufactured from limestone and clay in a nonreversible chemical reaction called hydration, bonds the aggregates into a strong, dense structure. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash or slag enhance concrete’s fresh properties and durability. Air entraining admixtures reduce damage from freeze-thaw cycles by allowing small air bubbles to agglomerate and rise to the surface of the concrete, where they disperse.

Concrete can be mixed on-site or delivered in ready-mix form. Ready-mix concrete is pre-mixed at a mixing plant, typically in huge trucks that have a massive drum for keeping the concrete damp while it’s traveling to the job site. It’s usually less expensive than getting bulk concrete, but can be more troublesome to transport. A full truckload holds 10 cubic yards of concrete and costs $119 to $147 per yard including delivery.

Delivery

Whether you want to hire a concrete contractor to pour your new driveway or just get concrete delivered for a smaller project, the cost of professional delivery will affect your final bill. Many companies charge a surcharge for weekend or holiday deliveries or if they have to drive further than their usual route. If you are able to transport concrete yourself or perform some prep work, you can save money by avoiding these extra charges.

A full truckload of concrete holds about 10 cubic yards. Concrete companies lose money on smaller orders, so they usually charge a fee of $60 to $110 for “short loads” or less than a full load.

Concrete delivery is a timely process and the concrete must be poured quickly once it’s delivered. To avoid delays, plan ahead and order your concrete during the week. This will also help you reduce the risk of exceeding your company’s overtime policies. One hour of overtime is typically charged for every additional cubic yard over the standard load.

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