When you are ready to start the construction of your home, estimating the cost of concrete should be one of the first things to do. Although, it seems an easy task, people often forget to take into account factors that significantly add up to this cost, like cost of forms, concrete price per yard, reinforcements and designs like stamping or staining. For this reason, it is essential to have a detailed idea about how much is concrete going to cost for your project.
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Although the cost of concrete will vary from region to region, the National average of ready to mix concrete is $93 per yard (from Ready Mix Industry Data Survey). Here are some of the factors which will affect the concrete cost:
Concrete Forms: Concrete forms are simply the barriers which hold the concrete together (when it is in the semi solid form) and give it a definite shape. They can also be used to add insulation or an element of decoration.
Grading: If a lot of dirt has to be first removed from the site, the pricing of concrete will automatically rise.
Reinforcements: Reinforcements are used to limit the cracking of the concrete and are important if you want your concrete to have as little cracks as possible. These reinforcements can be wire mesh, plastic mesh or fiber added in the mix.
Decoration: Stamping and staining are two processes which add to the cost of concrete significantly. While the concrete cost of plain concrete is around $ 3.25 to $ 5.25 per square foot, get ready to pay around $8 to $18 per square foot for stamping.
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Concrete staining is a process of adding color, designs and borders to a concrete floor. Depending on the complexity and the size of the job the price for staining can cost around $4 to $15 per square foot.
When calculating the price of concrete per yard, consult a professional and ask many suppliers. This way you will find your answer to the most asked question, “How much is concrete adding to my total budget?”
