How to Measure Yardage for Concrete Pricing

Whether building from scratch or remodeling, a budget is absolutely essential to the successful completion of the project. It is helpful to have an estimate of labor and material costs before you start so you can obtain the best prices from contractors and supply stores.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure Measuring wheel Paper and pencil Calculator

Instructions

1. 

   Measure the area to be filled with concrete. Note the length, width and depth, in feet, of the slab to calculate the yardage. Enlist the help of a friend or use a measuring wheel when measuring a large area.

2. 

   Calculate the yardage with this formula:
   Length x Width x Depth / 27 = Cubic yards

3. 

   Factor in an additional 10 to 15 percent to cover any unexpected circumstances or mistakes. To calculate the extra amount, use this formula:
   Cubic yards x 1.10 (110 percent)
   Round up to the nearest quarter yard.

4. 

   Determine cubic yardage on irregularly shaped areas. This requires a bit more math and some minor drawing skills. Measure each side of the perimeter and use some graph paper to create a scaled drawing. Consider 1 graph square = 1 foot. Once you have completed the drawing, break it into rectangular sections and perform the cubic yardage calculation on each section (L x W x H / 27). Add the cubic yardage for each section together, and calculate the extra percentage of material needed, again rounding up to the nearest quarter yard.

Tips & Warnings

• When using a concrete contractor, expect to pay an average of $1 per square foot for labor, which includes building forms, pouring and finishing.

• Purchase more than enough, because the expense of running out will be detrimental to your budget! Double-check your math. Ensure that you have done the complete cubic yardage formula, including dividing by 27.

Resources

• Service Magic Concrete Calculator
• Bob Vila's How To Library: Measuring Concrete