Ask what the price per cubic yard includes
Record the supplier’s mix specification, currency, quote date and unit. Confirm whether delivery, tax, short-load charges, fuel surcharges, unloading time or other items are included. Keep quantities and specification requirements consistent when comparing two suppliers.
A concrete material quote and an installed concrete-slab quote cover different work. Excavation, forms, base preparation, reinforcement, placing and finishing should appear as separate quoted items unless the contractor explicitly includes them. ConcreteYard’s cost tool prices the material using values you enter.
Worked example: material subtotal and delivery
Suppose a hypothetical quote is $180 per yd³ and the charged order is 3 yd³. The material subtotal is 3 × $180 = $540. If the same quote adds $90 delivery and no other included charges, those listed items total $630. Spread over the charged 3 yd³, their effective cost is $210 per yd³.
These dollar amounts are arithmetic examples, not current market prices. Replace each item with the supplier’s dated quote. Only compare effective unit costs when both quotes include the same categories of charges.
| Item | Calculation | Example subtotal |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 3 yd³ × $180/yd³ | $540 |
| Delivery | quoted flat fee | $90 |
| Listed total | $540 + $90 | $630 |
| Effective cost of listed items | $630 ÷ 3 yd³ | $210/yd³ |
A minimum billed quantity changes the comparison
Using the same hypothetical unit price and delivery fee, a supplier who charges for at least 4 yd³ would bill 4 × $180 + $90 = $810, even if the measured planning requirement is 3 yd³. The listed total per needed yard would then be $810 ÷ 3 = $270. That is different from the $202.50 per billed yard.
Keep the required volume, delivered or charged quantity, and the denominator used for comparison visible. Ask the supplier how minimum orders and increments apply. Do not assume the billing minimum is the amount that will physically be placed in your forms.
Compare prices quoted per cubic metre
One cubic yard is 0.764554857984 m³. To convert a price per cubic yard into the equivalent price per cubic metre, divide it by that conversion factor. A hypothetical $180/yd³ corresponds to about $235.43/m³ before fees. To convert a price per m³ into price per yd³, multiply by 0.764554857984.
Convert the volume unit as well as the price unit. Keep currency conversion separate and use a current exchange rate only when it is actually needed for the comparison.
Compare a yard of concrete with bagged material
For a bag product yielding 0.60 ft³, one cubic yard requires 27 ÷ 0.60 = 45 whole bags before allowance. If a hypothetical bag price is $7, the material subtotal is $315. That excludes any delivery, mixing equipment, handling and labor costs. A different product yield or bag price changes the comparison.
Use the same planning volume for the bagged and ready-mix options. Add applicable quote items to each option, then compare those totals alongside access and handling requirements. The lower material subtotal alone does not establish the lower completed-job cost.
Sources and further reading
- NIST: SI Units – Length ↗Exact international length definitions underpin the volume conversions used in these examples.
This article is general quantity-planning information. Confirm product requirements, project specifications, and local rules with the appropriate supplier or qualified professional.