Ready-mix concrete averages $165-$225 per cubic yard delivered in 2026, up 4% from 2025. Short-load fees (under 3-5 yards depending on supplier) add $50-$200. A typical 4-inch residential slab runs $6-$12 per sq ft installed including forms, reinforcement, and finishing. DIY with bagged mix costs 40% more per yard but avoids mixer truck scheduling for small pours.
Ready-mix vs bagged — when each makes sense
Ready-mix is the right call for any pour over 1 cubic yard (27 cubic feet). An 80-lb bag of concrete yields 0.6 cubic feet — so 1 yard equals 45 bags, costing $270+ in bags versus $175-$225 delivered. Ready-mix also has consistent water-cement ratio and is finished before bagged mix even starts to set. Use bags only for small post holes, pier footings under 4 sq ft, and repairs.
PSI ratings you actually need
Residential sidewalks and patios: 3,000 PSI. Driveways and garage floors: 4,000 PSI. Basement floors and foundation walls: 3,000-3,500 PSI. Heavy commercial and industrial: 4,500-5,000 PSI. Fiber mesh adds tensile strength for $25-$35 per yard and replaces wire mesh reinforcement in most slabs. Air entrainment (required in freeze-thaw climates) adds $5-$10 per yard.
Base prep and reinforcement
The difference between a slab that lasts 50 years and one that cracks in 5 is what's below it. Proper base: 4-6 inches of compacted gravel (3/4-inch minus), compacted in 2-inch lifts with a plate compactor. Vapor barrier on living-space slabs. Rebar (#4 at 24 inches on center) in driveways and slabs that will carry vehicles. Edge thickening at load points. Control joints cut within 24 hours of pour to force cracks into planned locations.