Typical Concrete Depths by Project
| Project Type | Typical Depth |
|---|---|
| Patio / walkway | 3–4 inches |
| Driveway | 4–6 inches |
| Garage floor | 4–6 inches |
| Foundation / footing | 8–12 inches |
| Structural slab | 6–8 inches |
Concrete Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost of your concrete project. Calculate cubic yards needed and material costs for slabs, driveways, patios, sidewalks, and footings. Includes waste factor for accurate ordering.
Concrete Project Estimator
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does concrete cost per yard?
Ready-mix concrete typically costs $125–$200 per cubic yard depending on region, mix strength, and additives. Delivery charges (short-load fees, distance) can add $50–$150. A standard 4-inch patio slab requires about 1.23 cubic yards per 100 square feet. Most ready-mix companies have a minimum order of 3–4 yards, with extra charges for smaller amounts.
How many cubic yards of concrete do I need?
Cubic yards = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27. All dimensions must be in feet first — convert depth from inches by dividing by 12. Always add 5–10% for waste from spillage, over-excavation, and uneven subgrade. For example: a 20ft × 10ft × 4-inch slab = 20 × 10 × (4/12) ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards. Add 10% = 2.72 yards to order.
What makes up the cost
The concrete itself is usually the smaller part of a finished slab. A typical breakdown:
- Ready-mix material — priced per cubic yard, varying with strength and local market
- Delivery — often included above a minimum load
- Short-load fee — charged below roughly 3–4 yards, and it can be substantial
- Site preparation — excavation, base, compaction
- Forming — timber, stakes and labour
- Reinforcement — rebar or mesh
- Placing and finishing labour — frequently the largest single line
- Finishes — broom, stamped, exposed aggregate or polished, in ascending cost
Why small pours cost more per yard
A 1.5-yard pour can cost nearly as much to deliver as a 4-yard one, because the truck, driver and trip are the same. Short-load fees exist to cover that.
If you have two small pours planned, doing them on the same day with one delivery is often meaningfully cheaper than two separate loads.
Where budgets overrun
- Subgrade problems found after excavation — soft ground needing extra base material
- Thickness creep — an uneven base quietly adds volume across the whole slab
- Access — if the truck cannot reach the pour, pumping or barrowing adds cost and labour
- Decorative finishes — stamping and colouring can multiply the finishing cost
- Removal of existing concrete — breaking out and disposal is charged separately and is rarely cheap
Getting a comparable quote
Ask whether the price includes base preparation, reinforcement, forming, finishing and cleanup, and what thickness it assumes. Quotes that look very different often differ on scope rather than on rate — one may assume you have already prepared the base.
For volume, see the Concrete Calculator and How Much Concrete Do I Need?.