Want to know if your next outdoor upgrade will fit the budget or blow it? This brief guide gives clear numbers and simple steps so you can plan with confidence.
Anchored Construction & Restoration serves Knoxville and East Tennessee since 2000. Led by Travis Bullington, the team brings 25+ years of experience in concrete services, hardscapes, and outdoor living. Call (865) 316-6933 or email Info@anchoredconstructiontn.com for project guidance.
Expect plain installed pricing around $5.50 to $9.00 per square foot for basic finishes. Ready-mix material runs about $125 to $185 per cubic yard before fees. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet and weighs roughly 4,000 pounds.
What to watch: mix design, site access, finish level, and short-load fees all affect final price and quality. This guide shows volume math, common thicknesses by use, and ordering tips to avoid waste.
Key Takeaways
- Typical installed price: $5.50–$9.00 per square foot for basic finishes.
- Ready-mix ranges $125–$185 per cubic yard before add-ons.
- One cubic yard = 27 cubic feet; plan for weight and handling.
- Site prep, finish, and mix design drive the final cost and quality.
- Anchored Construction offers local expertise and quick estimates for Knoxville projects.
Knoxville Concrete Slab Cost Snapshot at Present Market Rates
This snapshot gives current price bands for typical Knoxville pours and the local factors that shift totals.
Typical pricing: Installed broom-finish work runs about $5.50–$9.00 per square foot. Material-only ready-mix commonly ranges $125–$185 per cubic yard. One cubic yard covers roughly 81 square feet at 4 inches or 54 square feet at 6 inches.
Local price swings stem from mix selection, site access, and short-load fees. Driveways often need stronger mixes or thicker sections, which raises both material and labor costs. Decorative finishes, saw cuts, and sealers also increase the per square number.
Quick comparison points
- Per square foot: best for installed quotes including labor and finish.
- Per cubic yard: used for material-only orders and ready-mix deliveries.
- Small orders: expect delivery minimums or short-load fees that raise the per-yard price.
- Scheduling: peak season windows can change price and lead time.
Anchored Construction & Restoration scopes your site to give transparent estimates and options. Call (865) 316-6933 or email Info@anchoredconstructiontn.com to compare per square foot versus per yard pricing for your address and access conditions.
How much concrete slab: calculate volume like a pro
Measure carefully, convert units, and the volume math becomes straightforward.
Step-by-step: Multiply length by width to get area in square feet. Convert thickness from inches to feet by dividing by 12. Multiply area by thickness (in feet) to get cubic feet.
Then divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards, the unit ready-mix suppliers use. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. For quick planning on a 4-inch pour, divide total square foot by 81 to estimate yards.
- Measure length and width in feet; sketch the area and note edges or pads.
- Convert inches to feet (thickness ÷ 12), multiply by area for cubic feet.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to convert to cubic yards. Use square foot ÷ 81 for a 4-inch shortcut.
- Include thickened edges, door openings, and pads in totals to avoid shortages.
Example: a 200 sq ft, 4‑inch pour ≈ 200 ÷ 81 = 2.46 cubic yards. Anchored Construction & Restoration can verify your takeoff and confirm the order so you pour once, on time, with no last-minute changes. Call (865) 316-6933 or email Info@anchoredconstructiontn.com.
Concrete thickness standards by project type
A durable pour begins with a thickness decision based on use, traffic, and subgrade quality. Anchored Construction & Restoration designs to local codes and best practices for long-term performance across East Tennessee.
- Patios, sidewalks, and light-use driveways usually perform well at 4 inches over a compacted base.
- Garages and vehicle areas commonly use 5–6 inches to resist point loads and reduce cracking.
- Commercial or heavy-duty zones often require 6–8 inches or more depending on expected loads.
Soil and drainage change the recommendation. Poor subgrades may need thicker sections or improved base material. Control joints, rebar, or fiber help control cracks at any thickness.
Practical tips
- Keep thickness consistent at transitions to avoid trip edges.
- Match finished elevations when tying into existing work and preserve slope for drainage.
- Thicken edges or add bearing pads under heavy modules like outdoor kitchens or equipment.
Anchored Construction evaluates use, soil, and access to set the right thickness so your slabs last through Knoxville’s freeze-thaw cycles. Call (865) 316-6933 for a recommendation tailored to your site.
Cost per square foot vs per cubic yard: which pricing model fits your project
Picking a pricing model early saves time and avoids surprise charges on your project. Anchored Construction & Restoration offers both turnkey per square foot proposals and material-plus-labor options so you can compare apples-to-apples. Call (865) 316-6933 or email Info@anchoredconstructiontn.com for a line-item estimate.
Ready-mix price bands and common add-ons
Ready-mix deliveries typically run $125–$185 per cubic yard before delivery and short-load fees. Suppliers often add minimum load charges for small orders.
Ask for the mix strength, any fibers or admixtures, and the expected delivery window. Pumps, buggies, or stand-by time can add cost on tight sites.
Installed pricing per square foot from broom to decorative finishes
Installed plain slabs generally average $5.50–$9.00 per square foot. Decorative finishes, integral color, stamping, and borders raise the per square foot price because they add labor and materials.
- Per square foot pricing is best for complete installed work—forms, base prep, reinforcement, pour, and finish included.
- Per cubic yard pricing works if you manage labor or only need ready-mix delivery.
- Clarify whether saw cuts, control joints, and sealing are included to avoid change orders later.
- A hybrid option can lock material at a per-yard rate and add fixed labor and finish fees for transparency.
Compare foot-by-foot takeoffs across bids so thickness, square foot, and finish match. Anchored Construction helps select the pricing model that limits risk and maximizes value for your site.
Bagged mix or ready-mix concrete: choosing the right path
Deciding between bags and a truck starts with the size of your pour and site access. Small patches or remote corners often favour a bagged approach. Larger areas usually need a ready-mix truck for speed and consistency.
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Plan roughly 45 of the 80‑lb bags per cubic yard. Other counts: about 60 of 60‑lb bags or 90 of 40‑lb bags.
Example: a 4‑inch, 100‑square‑foot pour needs ~1.24 cubic yards, roughly 56 of the 80‑lb bags. An 80‑lb bag yields ~0.022 cubic yards.
- Bagged mixes work well for small pads, steps, and tight access where a truck can’t reach.
- Ready-mix saves labor on mid-to-large projects and gives consistent batching and water control.
- Consider many bags vs crew size and mixer capacity. Moving many bags can be slower than a chute or pump.
- Keep bags dry and staged. Moisture ruins material and wastes money.
Anchored Construction & Restoration advises whether a bagged batch or yard concrete delivery fits your projects and site. Call (865) 316-6933 or email Info@anchoredconstructiontn.com for a quick recommendation.
Waste, ordering, and site prep tips that protect your budget
A little extra mix and clear site prep save headaches on delivery day. Add 5–10% to your order to cover waste, spillage, settling, and edge variation. That buffer keeps you from calling for a costly short-load.
Plan odd shapes and steps carefully. Break irregular patios into rectangles to total the area. For steps, calculate each tread and riser separately and add the volume.
- Order a little extra—5–10%—so you finish with leftovers instead of shorting a pour.
- Budget an extra 1/4 inch of thickness as a safety margin for minor undulations.
- Ask suppliers about minimum yards and short-load fees before you lock the order.
- Confirm truck access, turning radius, and chute reach; schedule a buggy or pump if needed.
- Verify base compaction so soft spots don’t increase the volume you actually need.
Anchored Construction’s crews handle layout, forms, base compaction, and reinforcement to keep pours on schedule and on budget. Call (865) 316-6933 for a pre-pour checklist and to confirm the yard concrete amount your project will need.
Real-world Knoxville examples to estimate your project
Simple takeoffs from common projects show what yardage and bags you’ll actually need.
10×10 at 4 inches: 100 square feet × 0.333 feet = ~33.3 cubic feet. ÷27 = ~1.24 cubic yards. Plan about 56 80‑lb bags or a small ready-mix order.
10×10 at 6 inches: 100 × 0.5 = 50 cubic feet. ÷27 = ~1.85 cubic yards. Expect roughly 84 80‑lb bags or a short-load delivery.
- Two-car garage (20×20 at 5 inches): 400 sq ft × 0.417 ft = ~166.7 cubic feet → ≈6.18 cubic yards. Add 5–10% for waste and sawcuts.
- Backyard patio (12×20 at 4 inches): 240 sq ft × 0.333 ft = ~79.9 cubic feet → ≈2.96 cubic yards. One truck usually covers this and adjacent walkways.
- Use your length and width off forms. Translate total into cubic yards for ordering. Check bag counts only if mixing on-site.
Quick checks: one yard covers about 81 square feet at 4 inches and 54 at 6 inches. Factor finish choice when estimating per square costs.
For a fast, local estimate on your exact dimensions and finish, Anchored Construction & Restoration can run the numbers and schedule your pour. Call (865) 316-6933 or email Info@anchoredconstructiontn.com.
Why Knoxville trusts Anchored Construction for slabs, patios, and driveways
One accountable team reduces risk and keeps your schedule tight. Anchored Construction & Restoration handles site work, forming, reinforcement, pouring, finishing, and cleanup. That coordination cuts idle time and limits change orders.
Founded in 2000 and led by Knoxville native Travis Bullington, the company pairs local knowledge with full-service crews. Travis’s outdoor roots shape a quality-first approach on every job. Clients see consistent results across patios, driveways, and smaller slabs.
- Local leadership: Familiarity with East Tennessee soils, slopes, and weather windows improves long-term performance.
- Right mix and reinforcement: Teams match the mix, size, and joint layout to control cracking and drainage.
- Scheduling and cost control: Right-sizing yard concrete orders reduces overages and short loads so you pour once, on time.
- Full-service delivery: Excavation, base prep, and hardscape integration simplify complex projects and speed completion.
Call (865) 316-6933 or email Info@anchoredconstructiontn.com for a foot-by-foot plan and an estimate on your concrete slab project.
Conclusion
Confirming yards, bags, and access ahead of pour day ensures a smoother result.
Start with length × width × thickness (in feet) = cubic feet, then ÷27 for cubic yards. One yard covers about 81 square foot at 4 inches and 54 at 6 inches. Add 5–10% to yards or bags for waste.
Plan thickness, reinforcement, and joint layout to match loads. Expect ready-mix material near $125–$185 per cubic yard and installed plain work around $5.50–$9.00 per square foot. One cubic yard weighs roughly 4,000–4,050 lbs.
Anchored Construction & Restoration will validate your volume and confirm the concrete need, finish choices, and final cost. Call (865) 316-6933 or email Info@anchoredconstructiontn.com to schedule a site check and pour plan.
