Concrete Job Cost Estimator

Price a concrete slab, patio or driveway job with your own rates: ready-mix per yd³, delivery, labor and finishing per ft², markup and tax.

4 in is typical for patios and walks; 5–6 in for driveways.
%
Extra concrete for spillage and uneven subgrade, usually 5–10%.
$per yd³
Delivered price from your supplier. Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
$per job
Flat charges from the plant (small-load, fuel, wait time). Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
$per ft²
Example rate — enter your own. BLS (May 2025) reports a median wage of about $27/h for cement masons and concrete finishers; billed labor must also cover crew, burden and overhead.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
$per ft²
Use a higher figure for stamped or colored finishes. Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
%
Added to direct costs (materials + labor + fees) to cover overhead and profit. Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
%
Your combined state + local rate. Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
Whether labor and services are taxable depends on your state. Check with your state revenue department.
Estimated TOTAL
$2,946.56
Concrete to order (incl. waste)
5.19
Slab area
400
Ready-mix concrete (5.19 yd³)
$855.56
Suppliers sell in ¼–½ yd³ steps; round your order up.
Delivery / short-load fee
$150.00
Labor: forming, placing & finishing
$1,200.00
Extra finishing
$200.00
Direct cost (before markup)
$2,405.56
Overhead & profit (20%)
$481.11
Subtotal
$2,886.67
Sales tax (7% on materials at cost)
$59.89
Cost per ft²
$7.37
Cost per m²
$79.29

Estimate generated with SortedSums: https://sortedsums.com/concrete-job-estimator/. For informational purposes only; verify before relying on it.

Estimate only. This tool is for informational and educational purposes. Results depend on your inputs and simplifying assumptions, and are not a substitute for professional engineering, design or financial advice. Always verify with a qualified professional and applicable codes before purchasing, building or making decisions.

How it’s calculated

The slab volume is length × width × thickness plus a waste allowance, converted to cubic yards (27 ft³ = 1 yd³). Concrete is priced per cubic yard; labor and finishing are priced per square foot of slab.

Volume (yd³) = L × W × T (ft) × (1 + waste%) ÷ 27 Direct cost = yd³ × price + delivery + ft² × (labor + finishing) Subtotal = direct cost × (1 + markup%) TOTAL = subtotal + tax

Example (default example rates): a 20 × 20 ft slab, 4 in thick = 400 × (4/12) = 133.33 ft³ = 4.938 yd³; +5% = 5.185 yd³. Concrete 5.185 × $165 = $855.56; delivery $150; labor 400 × $3 = $1,200; finishing 400 × $0.50 = $200. Direct cost $2,405.56; +20% = $2,886.67; 7% tax on concrete = $59.89. TOTAL ≈ $2,946.56 (≈ $7.37/ft²).

This is a planning estimate only. It does not include anything not entered above, such as permits, inspections, engineering, site preparation, demolition or disposal (unless entered), access or equipment problems, regional surcharges, contingency or price changes. Get written quotes before committing. For concrete that includes excavation, grading, gravel base, reinforcement (rebar or mesh), pumping, joints and removal of old concrete.

Frequently asked questions

What does ready-mix concrete cost per yard?

It varies a lot by region, mix strength and season. Call your local plant for the delivered price and any short-load or after-hours fees, and enter it above. Your rates are saved on this device.

Why is there a delivery or short-load fee?

Trucks carry about 8–10 yd³. Many plants add a fee for small loads to cover the trip, so small pours cost more per yard than large ones.

Should I price labor per square foot or per hour?

Per square foot is common for flatwork because it scales with the job. If you think in hours, use the hourly job quote calculator for labor and add the concrete cost here.

Is concrete taxed?

Materials are generally taxable; whether installation labor is taxed depends on your state. Use the “Apply tax to” option to match local rules.

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Sources

Formulas are taken from the free public references above. Results are provided “as is” for informational and educational purposes only. See our disclaimer.

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