How to Avoid Overordering Concrete
Concrete trucks charge a short-load fee of $50–$150 if you order less than their minimum (usually 3–5 yards). So DIYers order extra "just in case" — and end up paying for 1–2 yards they don't need. At $150/yard, that's $150–$300 wasted.
The fix: Calculate exactly, then add exactly 5% for waste — no more. A 10×10×4" slab is 1.23 yards. At 5% waste: 1.30 yards. That's your number. Don't round up to 2.
If you're under the truck minimum, switch to bagged concrete. 80 lb bags yield 0.6 cubic feet each. For 1.30 yards (35 cubic feet), you need 59 bags. Bagged costs more per yard but there's no short-load fee and no waste from overordering.