Should you mix concrete yourself or hire a pro? For small fence posts, maybe DIY works. For driveways and patios, you’re looking at serious money and backbreaking work. Let’s cut through the marketing fluff and talk real numbers about how much is concrete per yard in San Diego.
Here’s the bottom line: ready-mix concrete costs $120-$150 per cubic yard delivered in San Diego. Add labor at $53.40-$89.00 per hour, and you’re paying $160-$200 per yard installed for basic projects. Stamped or decorative work runs $200-$350 per yard.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows concrete workers earn $35.60 per hour, but you’ll pay contractors more because that rate covers business overhead, insurance, licensing, equipment, and profit margins. This is normal - not a ripoff.
Understanding Concrete Costs Per Cubic Yard
How much is a cubic yard of concrete really going to cost you? Let’s break down what you’re actually paying for.
A cubic yard covers 81 square feet at 4 inches thick - that’s roughly a 9x9 foot area. Most San Diego contractors order from plants in Mira Mesa or Chula Vista, and delivery fees run $75-$125 depending on your location and order size.
| Project Type | Material Cost/Yard | Labor Cost/Yard | Total Cost/Yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Slab | $120-$140 | $40-$60 | $160-$200 |
| Stamped Concrete | $130-$150 | $70-$120 | $200-$270 |
| Decorative/Colored | $140-$170 | $80-$180 | $220-$350 |
The reality is most residential jobs need 3-10 yards minimum. Smaller orders get hit with delivery surcharges, and contractors charge more per yard for tiny jobs because setup costs stay the same.
In neighborhoods like La Jolla and Del Mar, expect prices 15-20% higher due to parking restrictions and permit requirements. Downtown and Hillcrest jobs often include additional costs for narrow access and limited staging areas.
Calculating Square Foot Pricing for Your Project
When contractors quote how much is a square foot of concrete, they’re factoring in thickness, prep work, and finishing. Standard 4-inch residential slabs run $4-$8 per square foot in San Diego.
Here’s what affects your per-square-foot cost:
Thickness matters: 4-inch slabs cost less than 6-inch. Driveways typically need 4-5 inches, while garage floors need 6 inches minimum.
Site preparation: Level ground with good drainage keeps costs down. Slopes, poor soil, or areas needing excavation add $2-4 per square foot.
Access issues: If trucks can’t get within 100 feet of your pour site, you’re paying for pump trucks at $300-500 extra.
| Thickness | Cost Per Sq Ft | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 4 inches | $4-$6 | Patios, walkways |
| 5 inches | $5-$7 | Driveways, garage aprons |
| 6 inches | $6-$8 | Garage floors, heavy traffic |
San Diego’s clay soil in areas like Clairemont and Mira Mesa can shift, so many contractors recommend 5-inch minimum thickness even for patios.
Best Timing and Seasonal Considerations
San Diego’s mild climate means you can pour concrete year-round, but timing still affects your wallet. Summer months (June-September) see highest demand and prices typically run 10-15% higher.
Best months for concrete work: October through April. Contractors have more availability and materials stay workable longer in cooler weather.
Avoid these times: Holiday weeks, summer wedding season, and the two weeks before school starts when everyone wants their projects finished.
Our semi-arid climate with summer highs around 70°F means concrete cures slower than in hotter areas - that’s actually good for strength but extends project timelines slightly.
Small Projects: Concrete Bags vs Ready-Mix
For fence posts, you’re probably wondering how many bags of concrete per fence post you need. Standard 4x4 posts need one 50-pound bag per post, 6x6 posts need two bags.
Concrete bags at Home Depot run $3.50-$4.50 each in San Diego. For 10 fence posts with 4x4s, you’re looking at $35-45 in materials versus $120+ minimum for ready-mix delivery.
When to use bags:
- 5 posts or fewer
- Remote locations where trucks can’t access
- Small repairs under 2 cubic feet
When to order ready-mix:
- 6+ posts
- Any project over 1 cubic yard
- When you need consistent strength throughout
The break-even point is around 25-30 bags. Beyond that, ready-mix costs less and saves your back.
Money-Saving Strategies That Actually Work
Order during slow periods: January-March typically sees 10-15% lower pricing as contractors compete for work.
Combine projects: Adding a sidewalk to your driveway pour costs way less than two separate jobs. Delivery fees, setup, and cleanup happen once.
Handle your own prep work: Contractors charge $2-4 per square foot for excavation and grading. Rent a mini excavator for $250/day and save hundreds on larger projects.
Skip decorative upgrades: Basic broom finish looks fine and costs $2-3 less per square foot than stamped patterns.
Get multiple quotes but understand the differences: The lowest bid often means corners cut on thickness, reinforcement, or curing time.
Hidden Costs and Surprise Fees to Watch For
Permit fees: San Diego requires permits for slabs over 200 square feet or any driveway work. Budget $150-300 for permits and plan 2-3 weeks processing time.
Soil issues: If your contractor hits rock, old concrete, or needs extra gravel base, expect $500-1500 in additional charges.
Reinforcement upgrades: Basic jobs include wire mesh, but rebar costs extra - typically $0.50-1.00 per square foot.
Cleanup and disposal: Removing old concrete runs $3-5 per square foot. Tree root removal adds $200-500 depending on size.
Access fees: Pump trucks for hard-to-reach areas cost $300-500 extra but some contractors don’t mention this upfront.
Emergency vs Scheduled Service Pricing
Emergency concrete work - like repairing a collapsed driveway or fixing foundation damage - costs 50-100% more than scheduled projects. You’re paying for immediate availability and rushed material delivery.
Emergency rates: $100-150 per hour for labor, plus material surcharges and weekend/holiday premiums.
Scheduled rates: Standard $53.40-89.00 per hour with better material pricing and proper planning time.
If you can wait, wait. Emergency repairs often need follow-up work anyway as contractors focus on stopping immediate damage rather than permanent solutions.
How to Choose the Right Professional
Check licensing: California requires C-8 concrete contractor licenses. Verify at cslb.ca.gov - don’t skip this step.
Get three quotes minimum: Prices vary widely, and you want to understand why. Cheap isn’t always bad, but understand what you’re getting.
Ask about curing time: Proper concrete needs 28 days to reach full strength. Contractors rushing you onto new concrete are cutting corners.
Verify insurance: General liability plus workers comp. Your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover contractor injuries without proper coverage.
Check recent work: Good contractors happily share recent project photos and customer contacts.
Local contractors familiar with San Diego’s soil conditions and permit requirements save you headaches. Out-of-area contractors often underestimate local challenges and change orders follow.
Timeline and Payment Structure
Week 1: Get quotes, check references, pull permits Week 2-3: Permit approval, schedule work Day 1: Site prep, forms, reinforcement Day 2: Pour, finish, begin curing Days 3-7: Initial curing, keep surface moist Days 8-28: Full curing period
Typical payment schedule:
- 10% deposit to start
- 40% when materials delivered
- 40% when concrete placed
- 10% final payment after initial curing (3-7 days)
Never pay large amounts upfront or full payment before work completes. Legitimate contractors don’t need your money to buy materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is concrete per yard in San Diego?
Ready-mix concrete costs $120-150 per cubic yard delivered in San Diego, with total installed costs running $160-200 per yard for basic work. Decorative concrete pushes costs to $220-350 per yard. Prices vary based on location within the county, with coastal areas like La Jolla seeing 15-20% higher rates due to access restrictions and higher operating costs.
How much is a cubic yard of concrete for different project types?
A cubic yard covers 81 square feet at 4-inch thickness. For driveways, expect $160-200 per yard installed. Patios run similar costs but may need less thickness. Stamped or colored concrete costs $200-350 per yard. Small residential projects typically need 3-10 cubic yards, with minimum delivery charges applying to orders under 3 yards in most San Diego areas.
How many bags of concrete per fence post do I need?
Standard 4x4 fence posts need one 50-pound concrete bag each, while 6x6 posts require two bags. At $3.50-4.50 per bag in San Diego, DIY makes sense for 5 posts or fewer. Beyond that, ready-mix becomes more economical. Each bag creates about 0.375 cubic feet of concrete, sufficient for posts up to 8 feet tall in typical soil conditions.
How much is a square foot of concrete installed?
Concrete costs $4-8 per square foot installed in San Diego, depending on thickness and finishing. Basic 4-inch slabs with broom finish run $4-6 per square foot. Stamped concrete costs $8-15 per square foot. Site preparation, access issues, and soil conditions can add $1-3 per square foot. Decorative borders, colors, or special aggregates increase costs further.
Understanding how much is concrete per yard helps you budget properly and avoid contractor surprises. San Diego’s competitive market means good deals exist, but remember that concrete work lasts decades - investing in proper installation pays off long-term.
Pricing data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey. Consumer prices calculated using industry-standard multipliers. See our methodology for details.