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Concrete Cost Per Yard: Building Patios, Houses, And Slabs
The cost of concrete per yard is just as important as its popularity as a building material. It is versatile enough to be used for foundations, walkways, and even entire buildings, including residential structures.
However, before you start buying concrete to construct a home, it is essential to determine the amount you need. While the cost per yard of concrete may vary, you can estimate a reasonable average by calculating it in cubic yards.
What Is the Cost of Concrete Per Yard?
Concrete and cement can be sold in bags, feet, pounds, and cubic yards. The most common way to calculate concrete costs is by cubic yards. Base concrete usually costs around $80 per cubic yard, although this price can vary greatly. It’s rare to pay more than $200 per cubic yard, even with installation.
However, there are cases where delivery and installation costs can be higher. The base cost of concrete per cubic yard will not remain this high for long.
To figure out a cubic yard, you can use the formula 3x3x3, which equals 27 cubic feet. However, in most cases, 3-feet thick concrete is not necessary.
Most of the time, concrete is 4 inches thick. For a 4-inch thick concrete slab, the area is 9 by 9 feet. This simple formula is applicable to any area.
Suppose you are constructing a concrete patio and need to calculate the required amount of concrete.
You can start by considering the thickness, let’s assume it is 3 inches. Next, calculate the area. Suppose the patio is 10 feet wide and 12 feet long. Convert the measurements to inches: 10 feet equals 120 inches and 12 feet equals 144 inches.
Multiply 120 by 144 by 3, which equals 51,840. Since there are 1,728 cubic inches in a cubic foot, divide 51,840 by 1,728 to get 30.
You need 30 cubic feet of concrete for this area. To convert to cubic yards, divide by 27 because there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. Thirty divided by 27 is 1.1 cubic yards of concrete.
Breakdown: Concrete Cost Per Yard
LxWxH in inches > cubic inches divided by 1728 > cubic feet divided by 27 > cubic yards
Changes in Concrete Price Per Yard
Like most materials, the cost of concrete per yard changes regularly. Concrete prices have been steadily increasing since 2013 (likely before) with the exception of 2016 when they dropped 10%. Since then, the price has spiked.
So if you are planning to use concrete to build, it’s a good idea to get it sooner rather than later unless you are waiting for another drop, which may or may not happen. More likely, it will level out and slowly increase.
Yard Of Concrete Cost In Different Regions
The cost to build a house varies by state, so does the cost of concrete per yard. For instance, Texas, New York, and Connecticut have the highest concrete prices, while Tennessee, Michigan, and Ohio have cheaper prices. This is influenced by the cost of living in those states, which impacts the economy.
Overall, the cost of a concrete foundation for your home can range from $1000 to $10,000, depending on the location. If you are building in a different country, the differences can be even greater.
You may pay about the same in Singapore or Korea for concrete and building supplies, but other countries are different. England, especially London, will cost you about twice as much whereas, in Vietnam, you’ll pay less than half.
That said, this also depends on the region. Building a house costs twice as much in Hong Kong but half as much in Beijing as it does in the United States. So each city and neighborhood matters.
Cost Of Delivering Concrete
The cost of delivering concrete should be considered if you aren’t delivering your own. If you can haul your own, it’s preferable because there will always be a base charge even if you only order one bag of concrete. It may cost the same as ordering 100.
Delivery costs are higher on weekends, especially in extreme weather conditions. Pre-mixed concrete deliveries are generally cheaper than having bags delivered separately.
Delivery costs can also be influenced by factors such as the ease of access to your location and proximity to the company’s base. On average, concrete delivery costs range from $100 to $500.
Concrete has its advantages and disadvantages.
Concrete has pros and cons. Here are the most relevant ones of building with concrete.
Pros:
– Durability – concrete is one of the most durable materials. There’s not much that can break it, whether it’s a storm, trauma, or wear-and-tear. It’s a good investment for any project.
– Economical – the price of concrete is substantially lower than most other materials. Most of the time, it is half the price of wood when used in framing and foundations.
– Weatherproof – there is hardly a storm that concrete can’t weather. It can withstand as much water as you can send into it. It won’t leak and if sealed properly it won’t sweat either.
Fireproof – without smoke, you can survive a fire in a concrete home. Concrete is one of the most fireproof materials for home shelters.
Versatile – concrete can be molded and sculpted into any shape. It’s like modern-day plaster but more durable.
Low-Maintenance – concrete requires little to no maintenance for decades or longer, saving money compared to other materials.
Great For Pets – Concrete is easy to clean and doesn’t stain when sealed, making it ideal for households with pets. Perfect Foundation – Concrete offers a solid, safe, and sturdy foundation for any home construction project.
Cons:
Cheap Knockoffs – Be cautious when trying to save money with low-quality concrete. A base of Portland cement and proper mixing ratios are essential.
“Sealing concrete is necessary to prevent staining and scratching. It should be done properly with the right sealer to avoid absorption or stickiness in humid conditions.
While concrete is highly moldable, it can be challenging to customize its appearance without professional assistance.
If you appreciate the look of concrete for your project, there is no reason not to use it. It is a durable material suitable for a wide range of applications. However, it is important to note that concrete is fairly permanent.”
Using nails instead of screws for a project is like using wood. You can easily take things down piece by piece. However, with concrete, what you build is what you’re stuck with.
Concrete has its advantages. The current price per cubic yard is favorable, so money shouldn’t be a factor. It ultimately comes down to your personal design style and whether you believe concrete is the best option for you.
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