Concrete Calculator › Cost by city › Modesto, CA
Concrete Cost in Modesto, CA
Concrete for a 20×20 ft (400 sq ft) 4-inch concrete slab in Modesto, CA costs about $948 ($806–$1,090). Local 2026 price is around $192 per cuyd. Free calculator inside.
What goes into concrete cost in Modesto
The line items below are 2026 national averages adjusted by the CA construction-cost factor (×1.28). A written Modesto quote is usually built from these pieces — use them to sanity-check any bid line by line before you sign.
| Cost item | Typical Modesto price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete, 3,000–4,000 PSI | $192 – $237 | per cu yd delivered |
| Labor: forming, pouring & finishing | $5.12 – $10.24 | per sq ft |
| Gravel base & subgrade prep | $1.28 – $2.56 | per sq ft |
| Wire mesh / rebar reinforcement | $0.45 – $1.28 | per sq ft |
| Short-load fee (orders under ~4 cu yd) | $96 – $192 | per delivery |
| Residential flatwork permit | $64 – $384 | per project |
Permit fees are set by the city rather than the market — confirm current fees with the local building department.
Estimate your own Modesto project
Prices in Modesto, CA run about +28% versus the national average. Enter your dimensions — the calculator starts from the local $192 per cuyd rate; change it to your supplier's quote for an exact figure.
Material shopping list
- Order about 4.94 cubic yards of concrete.
- Budget about $948 before delivery, taxes, and labor.
- Add 5–10% waste for uneven subgrade, cuts, settling, or spillage.
Formula & assumptions
Area = length x width. Volume = area x depth / 12. Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27. Cost = quantity x local unit price.
- Default depth: 4 inches
- Default price: $192 per cuyd
- 80-lb bags yield: 0.6 cu ft each
These assumptions make the estimate easy for search engines and AI answer tools to verify. Replace the default price with your supplier quote for a local estimate.
Concrete cost in Modesto by project size
Material quantities use the local Modesto unit price; the last column adds delivery, base prep, and labor at CA-adjusted rates. Click any size for its full breakdown and calculator.
| Project size | You need | Material cost | Installed estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft · 4 in | 1.23 cu yd | $237 | $768 – $1,280 |
| 12×12 ft · 4 in | 1.78 cu yd | $341 | $1,106 – $1,843 |
| 12×16 ft · 4 in | 2.37 cu yd | $455 | $1,475 – $2,458 |
| 16×20 ft · 4 in | 3.95 cu yd | $759 | $2,458 – $4,096 |
| 20×20 ft · 4 in | 4.94 cu yd | $948 | $3,072 – $5,120 |
| 24×24 ft · 4 in | 7.11 cu yd | $1,365 | $4,424 – $7,373 |
| 30×40 ft · 4 in | 14.81 cu yd | $2,844 | $9,216 – $15,360 |
| 40×50 ft · 4 in | 24.69 cu yd | $4,741 | $15,360 – $25,600 |
Installed ranges assume straightforward access and a buildable subgrade; steep, tight, or poor-soil sites price above the top of the range.
Concrete questions Modesto homeowners ask
- How much does a concrete slab cost in Modesto?
- Materials alone for a 20×20 ft (400 sq ft) 4-inch concrete slab run about $948 in Modesto. Fully installed — gravel base, forms, reinforcement, labor, and finishing — most homeowners pay $3,072 to $5,120 for the same slab, roughly $7.68–$12.8 per square foot.
- What does ready-mix concrete cost per yard in Modesto?
- Plan on $192–$237 per cubic yard delivered for a standard 3,000–4,000 PSI mix in the Modesto area. Orders under about 4 cubic yards usually add a short-load fee of $96–$192, so small pours cost noticeably more per yard.
- Do I need a permit to pour a concrete slab in Modesto?
- Driveways, sidewalks, and anything structural almost always require one; small detached patio pads sometimes fall under the permit threshold. Confirm with the Modesto building department before you pour — a permit costs far less than being ordered to remove finished work.
- Is it cheaper to pour concrete myself in Modesto?
- Labor and finishing account for $5.12–$10.24 per square foot of the installed price, so DIY can roughly halve the cost of a simple pad. But concrete is unforgiving: once the truck arrives you have under two hours to place, screed, and finish. Most first-timers cap DIY at about 100–150 square feet.
- How thick should my slab be?
- Four inches is standard for patios and walkways; use 5–6 inches for driveways or anything carrying vehicles. Going from 4 to 6 inches adds 50% more concrete, so match the thickness to the real use.
- How can I save money on concrete in Modesto?
- Combine small pours into one delivery to clear the short-load threshold, handle your own excavation and gravel base, and collect at least three written Modesto quotes — 30% spreads between local bids are normal.
Concrete cost in nearby cities
Regional estimate = national average adjusted by a CA cost factor. Not a quote. Actual prices vary by site conditions, access, and supplier.