Precast Concrete Cost

Last Updated on December 9, 2021
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Simplifying labor and reducing the time to complete construction can also be achieved by using prefabricated concrete elements. This solution is available both for civil construction, but especially for industrial or community buildings where the standardization of works is common.

Precast concrete elements do not necessarily have to be structural. They have the great advantage that they can take any shape. Sometimes these shapes can be architectural, small, decorative, or ornamental. Precast concrete elements can take the form of a statue, a ceiling lamp, or a totemic column.

The difference between prefabricated and standard concrete is that the last one is poured on-site, and the other comes as a ready-to-assemble product. But, in terms of hardness precast concrete does not differ in any way from standard concrete.

How much does precast concrete cost?

The precast concrete price is influenced by many factors, including the origin or location of the material, the quality of the materials, the size, shape, and structure of the piece, and also by the number of pieces that are going to be purchased.

Usually, it will be charged by the cubic yard and will include in the final price the labor, ready mix, mastic, and rebar. On average, one cubic yard may cost anywhere between $300 and $420. For example, a project including five cubic yards would cost around $2,400.

Precast.org recommends budgeting around $370 per cubic yard for the complete job.

You might also like our articles about the cost of concrete steps, concrete driveway, or crushed concrete.

According to the information found on Allcostdata, the average cost for a square foot of precast concrete is anywhere between $9 and $18. The price for structural precast concrete may start at $50 per linear foot for a 15-foot span and go up to $100 per linear foot for a 30-foot span. Into these costs are included only the materials, without the labor.

Because the precast concrete can be formed in almost every shape, in the table below you will find the price estimates for some of the most popular projects.

Precast concrete details

The shape and finish of the precast concrete are easy to modify with the help of dedicated molds according to the customer’s specifications so that they can later be transferred to series production. You can also create concrete footprints to customize a certain type of work such as sections or fence posts.

The quality of the concrete poured in the factory is always superior to that poured on-site. This is clear and it does not matter what the team is pouring it into, the working conditions, or the preparation in advance.

If you are wondering what are the immediate benefits of choosing precast concrete, here are some of them:

• lower costs – the reason is the short execution and assembly time for the elements, the lower weight of the structure by reducing the structural elements, and the fact that there is no need to purchase or rent the formwork;
• fast delivery and sufficient quantity in stock;
• maintaining quality and dimensions for the same series of products;
• easy maneuverability during installation;
• cheap repairs by replacing the damaged segment with a similar one;
• competitive design with any construction project;
• a large variety of models and sizes is available.

Even the maintenance of precast concrete structures is cheaper and simpler than that of monolithic concrete.

For large projects such as government buildings, stadiums, malls, dams, highways, it is essential to use reinforced concrete precast. The durability of reinforced concrete elements in conditions of exposure to the environment is around 100 years. At the same time, the same monolithic concrete elements would be 50 years.

The most significant precast concrete products that are available

Walls – This range is varied in shape and size, offering reinforced concrete partition walls that are mounted next to poles and tiles according to the project.

Fences – The elements for building a fence are designed to be easy to assemble and handled on-site. Most of the time, these elements, once assembled, do not require any other intervention to consolidate the structure, this being already done by the assembly method.

Tiles – Together with the precast concrete walls these are the elements that practically close a construction.

Poles  – These are the supporting elements for walls and tiles.

What are the extra costs?

Be prepared to pay shipping fees in case you order the precast concrete online and it has to be delivered from another place.

Also, as already mentioned, professional installation may not be included in all jobs, resulting in additional costs.

How can I save money?

As all jobs are different and unique, you better ask for multiple offers from the local licensed contractors.