Ready-Mix vs Bagged Concrete: Which Is Right for Your Project?
Compare ready-mix delivery with bagged concrete mix by volume, effort, cost and timing, so you choose the right option for your pour.
For a small post hole, bagged concrete is the obvious choice. For a driveway, a truck is. Everything in between is a judgment call, and the right answer depends on volume, access, help and timing.
How much is one cubic yard in bags?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. With a typical yield of 0.6 cubic feet per 80-lb bag, that is about 45 bags, or 3,600 pounds of bagged mix. Mixing and placing that by hand is a lot of work, and the concrete has to be placed before it starts to set.
When bags make sense
- Fence and deck post footings.
- Small pads, steps and repairs.
- Jobs where a truck cannot reach.
- Situations where you want to pour in several small stages.
When ready-mix makes sense
- Larger slabs, driveways and garage floors.
- Jobs where the concrete must be poured and finished in one continuous pour.
- When you have enough helpers, forms and finishing tools ready for a truck's timing.
Things to ask a ready-mix supplier
- Is there a minimum order or a short-load fee for small volumes?
- What mix strength and air content do you recommend for my climate?
- How much time do I have to unload, and can the truck reach the site?
- What is the total delivered price, including any fees?
A practical way to decide
Work out the volume with the slab calculator, convert it to bags, and compare the bag cost and effort with the delivered price of a truck. When the bag count climbs into the dozens, a delivery is usually easier, and often cheaper once you count your time.
Whichever you choose, order a little extra and have your forms, base and tools ready before the concrete arrives.