Concrete bids priced by the yard, the form, and the finish
Concrete is unforgiving — under-order and you're short mid-pour; over-order and you eat it. Bid Buddy helps you calculate yards correctly, add the right waste factor, and price forms, rebar, and finish as separate line items.
Your estimate
Your bid is calculated as total cost ÷ (1 − margin) for a true margin.
Total job cost
$23,000.00
Recommended bid
$28,750.00
Profit
$5,750.00
Margin
20%
Ask the estimator
Describe the job — I'll build your line items.
Tell me about the job
Try "I'm bidding a 1,500 sqft roof tear-off and re-shingle" or "Set my margin to 25%".
Turn this estimate into a signed job.
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Cubic yards + waste
Add 5–10% waste factor. Short loads have a surcharge — factor it.
Forms & rebar
Lumber, stakes, wire mesh or rebar — line item, not overhead.
Finish type
Broom, smooth, stamped, colored — labor varies 2–4× across finishes.
Prep & sub-base
Excavation, compacted base, moisture barrier if applicable.
Markup & margin for concrete
Flatwork contractors typically bid $8–15/sq ft depending on finish and region, targeting 20–30% net margin after truck, forms, and crew.
Line items to include in every concrete bid
- Excavation & sub-base
- Forms & stakes
- Rebar / wire mesh
- Concrete (yards + short-load fee)
- Pump (if needed)
- Finish labor
- Cure & sealer
Frequently asked questions
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