Hurricane season ends November 30th, and that’s when smart New Orleans homeowners start their concrete projects. Wait until spring, and you’ll pay 15-20% more as everyone scrambles to fix storm damage and beat the summer heat. Right now, if you’re wondering how much is concrete per yard in New Orleans, expect $120-180 per cubic yard delivered, but timing and local challenges can push that number much higher.
I’ve been pouring concrete in New Orleans for 22 years, from the mansions in Garden District to the shotgun houses in Bywater. Our unique challenges - clay soil that shifts like quicksand, below-sea-level foundations, and weather that can ruin a pour in minutes - mean concrete work here costs more than most cities. But understanding these costs upfront saves you from nasty surprises.
Clay Soil and Foundation Nightmares: New Orleans’ Biggest Concrete Challenge
Every concrete contractor in New Orleans deals with our notorious clay soil. In Metairie and Kenner, I’ve seen driveways crack within six months because the homeowner went with the cheapest bid and skipped proper soil prep. Clay expands when wet, contracts when dry, and moves your concrete like it’s sitting on Jell-O.
Proper soil stabilization adds $3-5 per square foot to any project, but it’s non-negotiable here. I use lime stabilization for smaller jobs and cement-lime mixtures for heavy-duty work like driveways. The contractors charging $8 per square foot for a driveway? They’re cutting corners on soil prep, and you’ll pay for it later.
Foundation issues are especially brutal in New Orleans. I regularly see settlement cracks in areas like Lakeview where the water table sits high. Foundation repair averages $150-200 per linear foot, and emergency foundation work during the rainy season can hit $300 per linear foot when contractors know you can’t wait.
The honest truth: every concrete project here needs extra reinforcement. I use fiber mesh in all my mixes and #4 rebar on 18-inch centers for anything structural. Contractors who don’t discuss soil conditions in your estimate either don’t know what they’re doing or plan to upcharge you later.
Emergency vs. Scheduled Concrete Work Pricing
Emergency concrete work costs 50-75% more than scheduled jobs. When a water main breaks and washes out your driveway, or storm damage cracks your patio, contractors charge premium rates. Here’s what emergency work costs versus planned projects:
| Project Type | Scheduled Rate | Emergency Rate | Time Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway Repair (per sq ft) | $12-15 | $18-25 | Same day |
| Foundation Crack Repair | $150-200/linear ft | $250-350/linear ft | Within 48 hours |
| Sidewalk Replacement | $8-12/sq ft | $15-20/sq ft | Weekend/holiday |
| Patio Concrete (per yard) | $120-180 | $200-280 | Rush delivery |
Emergency work means I’m pulling crews off other jobs, paying overtime rates, and often working in less-than-ideal conditions. The BLS reports concrete workers earn $28.43 per hour, but you’re paying $42.65-71.08 per hour because that includes business overhead, insurance, equipment costs, and profit margins. During emergencies, those hourly costs can spike to $85-120 per hour.
Summer emergencies cost even more. When it’s 95°F with 80% humidity, concrete sets faster and workers need frequent breaks. I’ve charged $300 per cubic yard for emergency pours in July because the working conditions are brutal and the risk of a bad pour increases dramatically.
How Much Is a Cubic Yard of Concrete in New Orleans?
Let me break down exactly how much is a cubic yard of concrete costs here, because it’s not just the material - it’s everything that goes with it in our challenging environment:
Basic Concrete Mix: $120-135 per cubic yard delivered
High-Performance Mix (what I recommend): $145-165 per cubic yard delivered
Specialty Mix (fiber-reinforced, quick-set): $170-180 per cubic yard delivered
But here’s what most homeowners don’t realize - delivery minimums will hit your wallet hard. Most suppliers require a 3-yard minimum, and short loads (under 3 yards) cost an extra $75-100. If you only need 1.5 yards for a small patio, you’re paying for 3 yards plus the short load fee.
For smaller jobs, bagged concrete becomes cost-effective despite higher per-yard pricing. An 80-lb bag of concrete costs $4.50-6.00 at local suppliers and yields about 0.6 cubic feet. You need 45 bags per cubic yard, making bagged concrete cost roughly $200-270 per cubic yard equivalent - expensive, but no delivery minimums.
Pump truck costs add another layer. In tight New Orleans neighborhoods where concrete trucks can’t reach, pump trucks charge $150-200 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. I’ve seen jobs where pump costs exceeded concrete costs on small residential projects.
Concrete Cost Breakdown by Square Foot
Understanding how much is a square foot of concrete helps you budget accurately for different project types. These prices include materials, labor, and basic finishing:
| Project Type | Material Cost/Sq Ft | Labor Cost/Sq Ft | Total Cost/Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Sidewalk (4” thick) | $2.50-3.25 | $4.50-6.00 | $7.00-9.25 |
| Residential Driveway (6” thick) | $4.00-5.50 | $6.50-8.50 | $10.50-14.00 |
| Patio with Basic Finish | $3.25-4.00 | $5.00-7.00 | $8.25-11.00 |
| Stamped Concrete Patio | $4.50-6.00 | $8.00-12.00 | $12.50-18.00 |
| Pool Deck (slip-resistant) | $5.00-7.00 | $9.00-13.00 | $14.00-20.00 |
These numbers assume proper soil preparation, which is critical in New Orleans. If your soil needs extensive work - common in areas like Mid-City where the ground stays soft - add $2-4 per square foot for stabilization.
Decorative finishes cost significantly more. Stamped concrete that looks like brick or stone runs $12-18 per square foot, while basic broom finish concrete costs $7-11 per square foot. Colored concrete adds $1-2 per square foot to any project.
Best Timing for New Orleans Concrete Projects
Timing your concrete project saves serious money in New Orleans. Our climate creates distinct pricing seasons that smart homeowners exploit:
November-February (Best Pricing): Contractors offer 10-15% discounts during slow season. Concrete cures better in cooler temperatures, and you avoid the spring rush.
March-May (Premium Season): Everyone wants work done before summer heat. Expect full pricing with 2-3 week scheduling delays.
June-September (Avoid Unless Emergency): Hot, humid conditions make concrete work challenging. Many contractors add 15-25% surcharges for summer work.
October (Hurricane Recovery): Pricing depends on storm activity. Light hurricane seasons mean good deals; active seasons drive prices up 30-40%.
Hurricane season particularly impacts concrete availability. After Hurricane Ida, concrete prices jumped 40% citywide due to massive demand. I had customers waiting 6 weeks for ready-mix delivery. Book your project for December-February when materials are readily available and contractors compete for work.
Morning pours work best in New Orleans heat. I start most jobs at 6 AM during summer months, finishing concrete work before noon. Afternoon pours risk rapid water evaporation that weakens the final product.
Fence Post Concrete: How Many Bags Do You Need?
Homeowners frequently ask how many bags of concrete per fence post they need for New Orleans conditions. Our clay soil and high water table require more concrete per post than drier climates:
Standard 4x4 Post: 2-3 bags of concrete per post
6x6 Heavy-Duty Post: 4-5 bags of concrete per post
Gate Posts (high stress): 5-6 bags of concrete per post
Each 80-lb bag costs $4.50-6.00 locally. For a typical 6-foot privacy fence with posts every 8 feet, you’re looking at $15-25 in concrete per post. A 100-foot fence section needs about 13 posts, so budget $200-325 just for post concrete.
I recommend fast-setting concrete mix for fence posts in New Orleans. Regular concrete can get soupy in our clay soil before it sets. Fast-set mixes cost $1-2 more per bag but eliminate the risk of posts shifting during the cure period.
Pro tip: dig fence post holes 8-10 inches wider than the post in clay soil. The extra concrete provides stability against soil movement that destroys fence alignment over time.
Maintenance That Saves Future Concrete Costs
New Orleans concrete needs aggressive maintenance to survive our climate. I tell every customer about these maintenance steps that prevent expensive replacements:
Annual Sealing (Critical): Quality concrete sealer costs $45-65 per gallon and covers 200-300 square feet. Seal every 2-3 years to prevent water penetration that causes freeze-thaw damage and reinforcement corrosion.
Crack Repair: Small cracks cost $3-5 per linear foot to seal properly. Ignore them, and they become $15-25 per linear foot replacement sections within 2-3 years.
Drainage Management: Poor drainage destroys more New Orleans concrete than anything else. Installing proper drainage costs $8-15 per linear foot but prevents foundation and driveway replacement that runs $12-18 per square foot.
Joint Maintenance: Expansion joint sealant costs $8-12 per tube but prevents water infiltration that undermines concrete slabs. Re-seal joints every 3-4 years.
The concrete I poured in Garden District 15 years ago still looks great because those homeowners follow maintenance schedules. Similar work in Gentilly without maintenance needed replacement after 8 years. The difference? About $200 annually in maintenance versus $8,000 in premature replacement costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is concrete per yard in New Orleans?
Concrete costs $120-180 per cubic yard delivered in New Orleans, depending on the mix design and delivery requirements. Basic mixes start at $120 per yard, while high-performance mixes with fiber reinforcement cost $165-180 per yard. Most suppliers require 3-yard minimums, and short loads under 3 yards incur additional fees of $75-100. For small projects, bagged concrete becomes cost-effective despite higher per-yard equivalent costs of $200-270. Factor in our clay soil challenges and high humidity when budgeting - these conditions often require premium mixes that cost more upfront but perform better long-term.
How much is a cubic yard of concrete delivered locally?
A cubic yard of concrete delivered in New Orleans costs $120-180, but delivery logistics significantly impact final pricing. Standard delivery within 20 miles of the plant runs $8-12 per yard. Beyond 20 miles, expect $15-20 per yard delivery charges. Tight neighborhood access requiring pump trucks adds $150-200 per hour with 2-hour minimums. Saturday delivery costs extra $25-40 per yard, and emergency same-day delivery can double standard pricing. Most ready-mix suppliers offer volume discounts: 10+ yards typically saves $5-8 per yard, while 20+ yard pours can negotiate $10-15 per yard savings.
How many bags of concrete per fence post should I use?
Use 2-3 bags of 80-lb concrete per standard fence post in New Orleans clay soil conditions. Heavy-duty 6x6 posts need 4-5 bags, while gate posts under high stress require 5-6 bags. Each bag costs $4.50-6.00 locally and sets one post 18-24 inches deep. Fast-setting concrete mix works best in our climate, preventing posts from shifting in clay soil during cure time. Dig holes 8-10 inches wider than the post for stability against soil movement. For 100 linear feet of fencing with posts every 8 feet, budget $200-325 for post concrete alone, not including labor or other materials.
How much is a square foot of concrete installed?
Concrete installation costs $7-20 per square foot in New Orleans depending on project complexity and thickness requirements. Basic 4-inch sidewalks run $7-9.25 per square foot, while 6-inch residential driveways cost $10.50-14 per square foot. Decorative stamped concrete patios range $12.50-18 per square foot, and pool decks with slip-resistant finishes cost $14-20 per square foot. These prices include materials, labor, and basic soil preparation. Extensive clay soil stabilization adds $2-4 per square foot. Premium finishes, colors, and complex forms increase costs significantly. Always verify soil preparation methods in estimates - proper preparation prevents costly failures later.
Pricing data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey. Consumer prices calculated using industry-standard multipliers. See our methodology for details.