How to Pour a Concrete Patio: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Timers
Plan, form, pour, finish and cure a concrete patio. Real material numbers for a 12×12 slab, joint spacing, curing time and the mistakes that cause cracks.
Key points
- One cubic yard takes about 45 bags of 80 lb mix — roughly 3,600 lb to lift and mix.
- One cost guide puts bagged concrete at about $270 per yard versus roughly $119–$147 per yard for delivered ready-mix.
- Small truck orders usually carry a short-load fee; even so, a truck is often cheaper and easier above about one yard.
- Bags still win for post holes, small pads, steps and repairs.
How much concrete is in a bag?
Manufacturers publish a yield for each bag size. For Quikrete’s standard Concrete Mix:
| Bag | Yield | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | 0.30 cu ft | 90 |
| 50 lb | 0.375 cu ft | 72 |
| 60 lb | 0.45 cu ft | 60 |
| 80 lb | 0.60 cu ft | 45 |
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so the last column is simply 27 ÷ yield. Whatever the bag size, a yard of concrete weighs about the same — close to two tons once mixed.
Cost per cubic yard
Prices vary a lot by region, so treat any figure as a starting point and get local quotes. As one reference point, HomeServe’s cost guide uses about $6 per 80 lb bag, which works out to roughly $270 per yard, and an average ready-mix price of about $108 per yard, with many homeowners paying $119–$147 including delivery within 20 miles.
The catch with a truck is the short-load fee. A standard truck carries around 10 yards, and suppliers charge more per yard for smaller orders — the same guide gives about $53 extra per yard for loads under 10 yards. Even with that surcharge, delivered concrete often lands below the per-yard cost of bags.
A worked example: a 12 × 12 ft patio
At 4 in thick with 10% waste, our slab calculator gives 1.96 cubic yards, or 88 bags of 80 lb mix.
| Option | Rough material cost | Labor reality |
|---|---|---|
| 88 × 80 lb bags at $6 | ≈ $528 | Lift and mix about 7,000 lb; several helpers and a mixer |
| 2 yd ready-mix at $119–$147 + $53/yd short load | ≈ $344–$400 | Concrete arrives at once; you place and finish |
Delivery minimums, distance charges and Saturday surcharges can change this, which is why our calculator lets you enter your own bag price and per-yard price to compare.
Concrete Slab CalculatorEnter the slab size and thickness to get cubic yards, the number of premix bags to buy and an optional bags-vs-truck cost check.
Open calculator →The labor and quality side
Price is only half the story. Concrete starts to stiffen within a couple of hours, and a slab should be placed in one continuous pour. Mixing 45 bags per yard by hand or with a small drum mixer is slow, and if the first batches start setting before the last ones arrive you get cold joints — weak seams where fresh concrete meets old.
A truck also delivers a consistent mix. Hand-mixed batches tend to vary in water content, and the wettest ones end up weaker and dustier.
When bags are the right choice
- Post holes and deck footings. A 10 in × 30 in fence-post hole takes about three 50 lb bags, and you can set posts one at a time.
- Small pads for an AC unit, trash cans or a grill.
- Steps, repairs and anything far from where a truck can reach.
- Remote sites where delivery charges would exceed the concrete cost.
Concrete Column & Post Hole CalculatorWork out the concrete for round piers, form tubes and post holes — one hole or a whole deck’s worth.
Open calculator →A practical rule of thumb
Under about half a yard, bags are usually simpler. Between half a yard and one yard, get a quote — the answer depends on your supplier’s minimums and your helpers. Above a yard, a truck (or a mix-on-site “short load” service) is usually cheaper, faster and makes a better slab.
Whichever you choose, order a little extra. Running short in the middle of a pour is far worse than having a few bags left over.
How to order ready-mix
Ready-mix suppliers are used to contractors who speak the jargon. Have these answers ready when you call:
- Volume in cubic yards, rounded up. Our calculator includes a waste allowance; many suppliers sell in quarter-yard increments.
- Use and strength. Tell them it is a patio, driveway or footing and ask what mix they recommend for your climate — they know which mixes resist local freeze-thaw.
- Access. How close can the truck get? Trucks are heavy and can crack driveways and sidewalks. If the chute cannot reach, you will need wheelbarrows or a pump.
- Timing. Ask about delivery windows, how long the driver can wait at no charge, and any weekend or short-load fees.
Middle-ground options
Some suppliers run volumetric (mix-on-site) trucks that carry dry materials and mix only what you use, which can suit small or uncertain volumes. Rental yards in some areas offer trailer mixers you tow home with a yard or less of concrete. Both reduce the short-load penalty, so they are worth asking about for jobs between half a yard and two yards.
If you mix bags, do it well
- Rent a drum mixer. Mixing dozens of bags in a wheelbarrow is exhausting and gives inconsistent batches.
- Measure the water. The Quikrete data sheet gives a range per bag — for an 80 lb bag, about 6 to 9 pints. Start low and add only enough to reach a workable mix. Too much water is the most common cause of weak, dusty concrete.
- Organize a production line: one person loading and mixing, one wheeling, and one or two placing. Keep the mixer running so batches arrive continuously.
- Stage the bags near the mixer on pallets, off the ground and covered from rain.
Costs people forget
When comparing, include everything: mixer rental and fuel, wheelbarrows, your helpers’ time, the trip to haul bags (a pickup truck carries far less than 88 bags safely), and any bags left over. For a truck, include delivery distance charges, waiting-time fees and a pump if the truck cannot get close. Put your numbers into the calculator’s bag-price and per-yard fields to see the comparison for your own job.
Concrete Slab CalculatorEnter the slab size and thickness to get cubic yards, the number of premix bags to buy and an optional bags-vs-truck cost check.
Open calculator →Frequently asked questions
How many 80 lb bags make a yard of concrete?
About 45. Each 80 lb bag yields about 0.60 cubic feet, and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
What is a short-load fee?
A surcharge many suppliers add when you order less than a full truck. It covers the cost of sending a truck for a small amount. It varies widely, so ask for it when you get a quote.
Is fast-setting concrete good for slabs?
Fast-setting mixes are designed mainly for setting posts, where you pour dry mix into the hole and add water. For slabs, use a standard concrete mix or ready-mix and follow the finishing steps.
Can I order exactly what the calculator says?
Round up and keep the waste allowance. Forms bow, subgrade is uneven and some concrete stays in the truck or wheelbarrow. Running short mid-pour is costly.
Is bagged concrete weaker than ready-mix?
Not inherently — both can be strong. The difference is consistency: hand-mixed batches vary in water content, and long pours risk cold joints between batches.