Why is concrete so expensive?

Question

My contractor told me that the footings, basement/garage floors would be a great majority of the total expense of the house (good windows in there too) - but concrete?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Supply and demand is correct, but it is the cost of the cement in the concrete that has risen dramatically in the last few years. China is building five new cities the size of San Diego and has cornered the cement and steel market to where the cost of these materials has risen over 300%. This of course affects the cost of the house.

Typically the cost of foundations for a house could be 25 to 35% of the finished cost of a house depending on how fancy appurtanences you chose.

Answer 2

Bull crap! It's pure price gouging. The price of Ready Mix concrete varys with the per capita income of any particular geographical location. Out in the country , where the economy is lower, and the trucks have to travel farther, the concrete is cheaper.

Another reason is supply and demand. Did you ever know of a product that is in high demand to be cheap?

Answer 3

I would say the environmental impact of the manufacture of cement has to do with a large part of the excuse these people will use to gouge us. It is rediculous how they go over the top on anything remotely hazardous.I have seen them dress up in space suits to remove old shingles from houses at a tremendous cost, that my father and I used to do back in the forty's for free, and the only ones wearing space suits were the characters on Captain Video, and his space rangers.

Answer 4

Those trucks aren't cheap, the insurance is sky high, those trucks probably get 4 mpg when loaded

Answer 5

Because it's heavy (Portland cement, gravel and sand) and needs to be mixed within a hour or so of use.