Ready-mix delivery fee audit
Concrete Delivery Cost Calculator: 3-Quote Fee Audit
Answer first: compare concrete delivery cost by the written delivered total, not the yard price. Enter the quote lines that usually change small ready-mix orders: billable yards, delivery, short-load fees, access, wait time, tax, and bag fallback.
3-quote audit
$611 vs $596.40
A higher yard price can still win after billable yards and fees.
Small slab check
$349.40 delivered
10x10 x 4 in at 1.36 yd3, $165/yd3, and $125 delivery.
Minimum-load risk
$620 at 3 yd3
The same small slab can bill like 3 yd3 under a minimum rule.
Three-supplier delivery quote audit
For the same 2.2 yd3 usable project, Supplier A looks cheaper on delivery, but Supplier B wins after billable yards, short-load fees, and other written charges are normalized.
| Supplier | Billable yd3 | $ / yd3 | Delivery | Short-load | Other fees | Delivered total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier A | 3.0 | $158 | $95 | $0 | $42 | $611 |
| Supplier B | 2.2 | $172 | $100 | $80 | $38 | $596.40 |
| Supplier C | 2.5 | $165 | $125 | $120 | $40 | $697.50 |
What to collect before calling
Billable yards
Ask whether the quote bills actual yards, a 2-3 yd minimum, or a minimum invoice.
Delivery, zone, fuel, and tax
Request the delivered total with every fixed fee already included.
Short-load fee
Separate actual-yards-plus-fee wording from minimum-load wording.
Access and wait time
Confirm chute reach, pump or buggy needs, included unload minutes, and standby rate.
Bag fallback
Compare bag count, dry weight, store delivery, mixer pace, and the risk of a slow pour.
Enter Cost Details
Save this estimate or download a PDF report
The PDF report uses the current calculated result. Save the estimate first when you want to reuse the inputs later.
Delivery quote result
Live estimateDelivered-total formula
ready-mix = max(1.1 usable yd3, 0 minimum) x $160.00/yd3 + $150.00 delivery + $0.00 accessReplace every default with a written supplier number before ordering. If the supplier says "plus fees," ask for the delivered total in writing.
Ready-mix supplier quote packet
Turn the calculator result into a supplier call script
Before ordering ready-mix, collect the delivered total, minimum billable yards, dispatch cutoff, unload window, wait-time rate, and access rules in one worksheet. This keeps supplier quotes comparable instead of relying on a yard price alone.
Call readiness signal
Dispatch risk check needed
The packet still has dispatch-risk gaps. Confirm access, unload time, written total, and cancellation rules before reserving the truck.
Delivered total
$371.00
One comparable number to collect from each supplier
Billable yards
1.1 yd3
Supplier minimum applied to the usable yardage
Effective yd3
$337.27
Delivered total divided by usable yards
Missing answers
2
Open call-script items before dispatch
| Scenario | Billable yd3 | Delivered total | Effective yd3 | Missing answers | Decision signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current supplier quote worksheet | 1.1 | $371.00 | $337.27 | 2 | Use this row as the baseline delivered-total worksheet for supplier calls. |
| Lower minimum supplier comparison | 1.1 | $371.00 | $337.27 | 1 | A mini-mix, volumetric, or lower-minimum supplier can beat the baseline when unused paid yards dominate. |
| Wait-time sensitive dispatch | 1.1 | $431.00 | $391.82 | 3 | If access or crew timing is uncertain, standby charges can change the ready-mix decision. |
| Written delivered total required | 1.1 | $371.00 | $337.27 | 3 | Do not approve dispatch from a yard price alone. Ask for one written delivered total with fee rules. |
Supplier call script
- I need about 1.1 yd3 of concrete and want to compare the delivered total, not only the yard price.
- What billable yardage would you use for this order? My planning number is 1.1 yd3.
- Can you write down the full delivered total with minimums, delivery, short-load, fuel, environmental, tax, and any dispatch fees? My current worksheet total is $371.
- How many unload minutes are included? My planning worksheet assumes 30 minutes before wait-time charges.
- What is the cancellation or reschedule cutoff? My worksheet assumes 12 hours.
- Does the truck chute reach the forms, or should I price a pump, buggy, or wheelbarrow placement plan?
Quote questions before dispatch
- Who pays if the truck waits because forms, crew, inspection, or access are not ready?
- What is the latest cancellation or reschedule cutoff without a fee?
- Where can the truck wash out, and what happens to returned concrete?
- Can the supplier recommend a smaller truck, pump, or placement method for this jobsite?
Export quote packet data
These downloads are the current supplier worksheet rows, not your saved project record. Use Save project above to store the estimate.
Delivery ticket fee-risk planner
Wait-time, washout, returned concrete, and ticket fees
Ready-mix quotes can change after the truck arrives. Use this worksheet to pressure-test the delivery ticket before you choose ready-mix over bags: unload window, wait-time rate, washout, returned concrete, and extra ticket surcharges.
Fee-risk signal
Confirm fee rules
The delivery looks sensitive to wait-time, washout, or return charges. Confirm each fee in writing before choosing ready-mix over bags.
Estimated minutes billed after the included window
Wait minutes multiplied by the ticket rate
Planning cost for leftover concrete risk
Wait, washout, returned load, and ticket surcharges
| Scenario | Wait minutes | Wait fee | Washout fee | Returned concrete | Estimated fee risk | Decision signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current ticket assumptions | 1 | $3.00 | $75.00 | $31.25 | $169.25 | Use this row as the fee-risk worksheet before signing the delivery ticket. |
| Extra 15 minute truck wait | 16 | $48.00 | $75.00 | $31.25 | $214.25 | If placement slows down, standby charges can erase the ready-mix advantage quickly. |
| No approved washout plan | 1 | $3.00 | $150.00 | $31.25 | $244.25 | If washout is not planned, cleanup, environmental, or return charges may move into the quote. |
| Returned half-yard risk | 8 | $24.00 | $75.00 | $62.50 | $221.50 | Over-ordering may be safer than running short, but returned concrete can still carry a disposal or handling cost. |
Ticket checks before the truck is dispatched
Download ticket fee rows
Use the rows as a delivery-ticket worksheet. Replace every assumption with the supplier quote before scheduling the truck.
Cost line-item audit
Turn a concrete total into quote lines you can verify
Mature cost pages show price ranges. A buying-ready estimate needs the line items behind the number: material, delivery, access, bag handling, and missing contractor scope.
Audit status
Material-only estimate
56/100 quote-readiness score
Dominant line
Bagged material
0% fixed-fee exposure
Holdback reserve
$25.00
Planning reserve until every scope line is written
| Line item | Amount | Share | Status | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix material | $176.00 | 53.99% | quoted | Confirm PSI, additives, slump, tax treatment, and whether the yard price matches the delivery date. |
| Delivery and access fees | $150.00 | 46.01% | ask | Separate delivery, short-load, fuel, environmental, wait-time, pump, buggy, and chute-access charges. |
| Bagged material | $250.00 | 100% | quoted | Confirm bag size, yield per bag, pallet quantity, damaged bags, and store price before checkout. |
| Bag pickup or handling | $0.00 | 0% | missing | Add delivery, pickup loads, mixer rental, dry-load weight, and extra handling before bags look cheaper. |
| Bagged scope reserve | $25.00 | 10% | ask | Hold a reserve for base prep, forms, reinforcement, finishing, cleanup, and written exclusions. |
Use delivered total as the winner
A quote with a higher yard price can win when it bills fewer yards, includes delivery clearly, and avoids extra small-load exposure.
Keep wait time visible
Ask how many unload minutes are included and what rate applies after that window. Slow wheelbarrow or buggy placement can change the delivery choice.
Separate material from installed scope
This calculator audits concrete and delivery only. Base prep, reinforcement, finish, cleanup, permits, and warranty belong in a contractor quote review.
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