For most projects, especially those requiring larger volumes or consistent quality, having concrete delivered is often more cost-effective and convenient than mixing your own.
Is It Cheaper to Mix Your Own Concrete or Have It Delivered?
While mixing your own concrete can seem like a cost-saving measure for small projects, it won't necessarily save you money and often sacrifices the convenience and consistency offered by professional delivery.
The determination of whether mixing concrete yourself or having it delivered is cheaper depends on several critical factors, primarily the volume of concrete required, labor costs, equipment availability, and the desired consistency.
Key Factors Influencing Cost
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Volume of Concrete:
- Small Projects (e.g., a few fence posts, small patch repair): For very small quantities (less than 1 cubic yard/meter), mixing your own concrete from bagged mix can be cheaper due to high delivery fees for small orders of ready-mix concrete. The cost of individual bags, water, and perhaps a rented mixer might be less than the minimum order charge and delivery fee for a truck.
- Medium to Large Projects (e.g., slabs, foundations, driveways): As the volume increases, the cost savings of mixing your own concrete diminish rapidly. Purchasing cement, aggregate (sand and gravel), and water separately, along with the labor and equipment needed, quickly surpasses the efficiency of a ready-mix truck. Delivered concrete becomes significantly more economical for volumes above 1 cubic yard/meter.
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Labor Costs:
- DIY Mixing: This involves significant manual labor for mixing, transporting, and pouring. If you value your time or need to hire labor, these costs can add up quickly.
- Delivered Concrete: Requires less on-site labor for mixing and often for transport if the truck can chute directly to the pour site, freeing up your team for placing and finishing.
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Equipment Costs:
- DIY Mixing: Requires a cement mixer (purchase or hire), wheelbarrows, shovels, buckets, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Rental costs for a mixer can range from $50-$150 per day.
- Delivered Concrete: The cost of the mixer and delivery vehicle is built into the price per cubic yard/meter, eliminating the need for separate equipment rental.
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Material Costs:
- DIY Mixing: Buying pre-mixed bags of concrete is more expensive per cubic foot than buying bulk cement, sand, and gravel. However, buying bulk materials requires storage space and more precise measuring.
- Delivered Concrete: Ready-mix companies purchase materials in bulk, leading to lower per-unit costs which are passed on to the customer.
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Consistency and Quality Control:
- DIY Mixing: Achieving consistent concrete quality can be challenging when mixing individual batches. Variations in water-to-cement ratio, aggregate distribution, and mixing time can lead to inconsistent strength and appearance throughout your project. It is harder to get the consistency of your concrete right if you have to mix each batch individually.
- Delivered Concrete: Ready-mix plants use precise measurements, controlled environments, and specialized equipment to ensure a uniform and consistent product for every batch. This consistency is crucial for the structural integrity and durability of larger projects.
Cost Comparison Table
| Feature | Mixing Your Own Concrete (DIY) | Delivered Concrete (Ready-Mix) |
|---|---|---|
| Volume Suitability | Very small projects (e.g., under 1 cubic yard/meter) | Medium to large projects (e.g., 1 cubic yard/meter and up) |
| Material Cost | Higher per unit (bagged mix) or requires bulk purchase/storage | Lower per unit (bulk purchasing by supplier) |
| Labor Intensity | High (mixing, transporting, pouring) | Low (primarily placing and finishing) |
| Equipment Needs | Mixer rental/purchase, wheelbarrows, tools | None (truck and pump if needed are included in service) |
| Consistency/Quality | Can be inconsistent; challenging to maintain uniform mix | Highly consistent; precisely measured and mixed |
| Convenience | Inconvenient; time-consuming; physically demanding | Highly convenient; arrives ready to pour |
| Hidden Costs | Water, electricity for mixer, potential wasted material, increased labor time | Potential short-load fees if ordering less than minimum |
When Each Option is Best
- Mix Your Own:
- When you need less than 1 cubic yard/meter of concrete.
- For minor repairs, filling small post holes, or setting a few pavers.
- If you have a strict budget and are willing to invest significant manual labor.
- If access for a large concrete truck is impossible.
- Have It Delivered:
- For any project requiring 1 cubic yard/meter or more, such as concrete patios, foundations, driveways, or large slabs.
- When consistent strength and finish are critical.
- When time is of the essence, and you want to avoid the labor and mess of mixing.
- If you prefer the convenience and reliability of a professional product.
Ultimately, while mixing your own concrete offers a degree of control for small jobs, the convenience, consistency, and overall efficiency of ready-mix concrete make it the more economical and practical choice for most projects.
