New Jersey · NRMCA 2026 · Updated September 2026
Concrete Prices in New Jersey — 2026 Cost Guide + Calculator
Ready-mix concrete in New Jersey costs $148–$178 per cubic yard in 2026 — among the highest in the Northeast. Northern NJ (NYC metro spillover) averages $162–$178/yd³; Central and South Jersey run $148–$162/yd³. Contractor licensing, sales tax exemptions, and short-load minimums are the three things every NJ homeowner needs to know before signing a quote.
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New Jersey Concrete Calculator
Select your NJ county group, enter dimensions, and get cubic yards needed, material cost, and installed estimate with 10% overage built in.
NJ note: 3,500 PSI air-entrained recommended statewide for exterior flatwork. Verify your contractor holds a valid NJ Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration before signing any contract.
Concrete Costs & Prices in New Jersey
Find Costs & Prices in Your County — NJ 2026
Standard 3,500 PSI air-entrained mix, plant-gate price. Delivery within 10 miles adds $10–$18/yd³ in North NJ, $8–$14/yd³ in South Jersey.
| County / Area | PSI | $/yd³ (material) | $/sq ft installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bergen / Hudson / Essex | 3,500 | $162–$178 | $9–$15 | NYC border; highest rates in NJ |
| Passaic / Morris / Union | 3,500 | $158–$172 | $9–$14 | North NJ; strong residential demand |
| Somerset / Hunterdon | 3,500 | $155–$168 | $8–$13 | Affluent suburbs; labor premium |
| Middlesex / Mercer | 3,500 | $152–$165 | $8–$13 | Central NJ; densely competitive |
| Monmouth / Ocean (north) | 3,500 | $150–$162 | $8–$13 | Shore corridor; seasonal demand peaks |
| Warren / Sussex | 3,500 | $152–$165 | $8–$13 | NW NJ; rural areas add delivery premium |
| Burlington / Camden | 3,500 | $150–$160 | $7–$12 | South NJ; Philadelphia MSA influence |
| Gloucester / Salem | 3,500 | $148–$158 | $7–$12 | SW NJ; most competitive South Jersey |
| Atlantic / Cape May | 3,500 | $148–$155 | $7–$11 | Shore/resort market; seasonal pricing |
| Cumberland | 3,500 | $148–$155 | $7–$11 | Most affordable in NJ |
Common Concrete Jobs in New Jersey
What Concrete Contractors Charge in New Jersey — 2026
Installed estimates for the most common NJ concrete jobs. North NJ uses $170/yd³ + $8/sq ft labor. South NJ uses $153/yd³ + $6/sq ft labor.
| Job / Project | Size / Thickness | Yards needed | Material cost | Installed (South NJ) | Installed (North NJ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 16×38 / 5" | 9.4 yd³ | $1,395–$1,740 | $5,400–$8,400 | $7,200–$11,500 |
| Concrete patio | 16×20 / 4" | 3.9 yd³ | $565–$700 | $2,500–$3,800 | $3,300–$5,100 |
| 20×20 concrete slab | 20×20 / 4" | 5.9 yd³ | $855–$1,065 | $3,600–$5,600 | $4,900–$7,700 |
| Concrete sidewalk | 4×40 / 4" | 2.0 yd³ | $290–$360 | $1,200–$1,900 | $1,600–$2,500 |
| Garage floor (24×24) | 24×24 / 6" | 12.9 yd³ | $1,865–$2,325 | $7,200–$11,200 | $9,600–$15,000 |
| Foundation prep / footing | 24 lin ft / 12"×12" | 2.1 yd³ | $305–$375 | $1,400–$2,200 | $1,900–$3,000 |
| 24×24 concrete slab | 24×24 / 6" | 12.9 yd³ | $1,865–$2,325 | $7,200–$11,200 | $9,600–$15,000 |
| Decorative / stamped | per sq ft | — | — | $12–$18/sq ft | $16–$24/sq ft |
New Jersey Market Deep Dive
What Separates the Cheap Quote from the Right Quote in New Jersey
New Jersey Concrete Licensing — What Every Homeowner Must Know
New Jersey has one of the most regulated home improvement contractor environments in the US. Any contractor performing concrete work on a residential property in New Jersey must be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. This is not optional — working with an unregistered contractor voids your consumer protections and can complicate insurance claims.
| Requirement | Detail | How to verify |
|---|---|---|
| HIC Registration | Mandatory for all residential concrete work. Registration number must appear on every contract. | NJ Division of Consumer Affairs — njconsumeraffairs.gov |
| Contract in writing | NJ law requires a written contract for home improvement work over $500. Must include start/end dates, materials, and total cost. | Ask for a written contract before any work begins |
| Permit (driveways) | Many NJ municipalities require a permit for new driveway or apron work. Varies by township. | Call your local building department before signing |
| Liability insurance | HIC-registered contractors must carry liability and workers' comp insurance. | Ask for certificate of insurance — verify it's current |
A quote that's $1,500 cheaper than competitors is often cheaper because the contractor is unregistered, uninsured, or cutting corners on materials. In New Jersey, the HIC registration number is the single most important thing to check before accepting any concrete quote.
New Jersey Concrete Sales Tax — The Exemption Most Homeowners Miss
New Jersey charges 6.625% sales tax, but concrete work classified as a capital improvement is exempt from NJ sales tax. This is a significant savings on larger projects — a $15,000 driveway that qualifies saves nearly $1,000 in tax.
| Work type | Sales tax treatment | NJ reference |
|---|---|---|
| New driveway installation | EXEMPT — capital improvement | NJ ST-8 form |
| New patio or walkway | EXEMPT — capital improvement | NJ ST-8 form |
| Concrete repair (crack filling, resurfacing) | TAXABLE — maintenance/repair | NJ Division of Taxation |
| Concrete demolition / removal | TAXABLE — service, not improvement | NJ Division of Taxation |
| Foundation work (new addition) | EXEMPT — capital improvement | NJ ST-8 form |
For exempt work, your contractor should provide you with a completed NJ Form ST-8 (Certificate of Exempt Capital Improvement) — and neither you nor the contractor should pay sales tax on the labor for the job. Materials purchased by the contractor remain taxable at the wholesale level, but that's the contractor's cost, not yours. Source: NJ Division of Taxation, TB-60.
"Price seems good to me. Thoughts?" — How to Evaluate a NJ Concrete Quote
This is one of the most common questions on NJ contractor forums, and for good reason — concrete quotes in New Jersey vary by 30–50% for the same job. Here's a quick framework for evaluating whether a quote is reasonable:
- Material cost check: For a 20×20 ft slab at 4", you need ~5.9 yards. At NJ prices ($148–$178/yd³), material alone should be $870–$1,050. If the quote's materials line is much lower, ask what PSI and air content they're speccing.
- Labor rate check: NJ cement masons earn $28–$42/hour depending on region and union status. A 20×20 ft slab takes 2–3 people about 6–8 hours. Labor should be $500–$1,200 for a standard residential pour.
- Red flag — no HIC number: If a quote doesn't include the contractor's NJ HIC registration number, do not sign it. This is legally required on every NJ home improvement contract.
- Red flag — cash only, no contract: Standard in NJ fly-by-night operations. A legitimate NJ contractor will provide a written contract and accept check or card.
- Price 30%+ below other quotes: Almost always signals unregistered contractor, inferior materials (wrong PSI, no air-entrainment), or a bait-and-switch on scope. Get one more quote to calibrate.
Is Concrete Worth the Money in NJ? Concrete vs. Pavers vs. Asphalt
In New Jersey — where labor rates are high and homeowner ROI on curb appeal matters — the choice between concrete, pavers, and asphalt has real financial implications:
| Surface | Installed cost (20×20) | Lifespan | Maintenance | NJ resale impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete (standard) | $3,600–$7,700 | 25–40 years | Seal every 3–5 yrs | Positive — clean, durable |
| Concrete (stamped) | $6,000–$14,000 | 20–35 years | Seal every 2–3 yrs | Strong positive in premium neighborhoods |
| Asphalt | $2,000–$3,800 | 15–20 years | Seal annually; resurface at 10 yrs | Neutral to slightly negative vs. concrete |
| Pavers (concrete) | $6,500–$13,000 | 25–50 years | Re-sand joints every 5–8 yrs | Strong positive — high-end appearance |
Standard concrete delivers the best cost-per-year value in New Jersey. Stamped concrete and pavers add significant curb appeal in the suburban North/Central NJ markets where competition is high and resale value matters. Asphalt is cheaper upfront but accumulates higher maintenance and replacement costs over a 20-year horizon.
Additional Concrete Services — NJ Cost Reference
| Service | NJ cost range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete floor coating (epoxy) | $5–$10/sq ft | North NJ higher end; professional install recommended for NJ humidity |
| Concrete floor coating (polyaspartic) | $7–$13/sq ft | More durable than epoxy; better for NJ temperature swings |
| Concrete slab leveling / mudjacking | $500–$2,500 | Per slab section; alternative to full replacement |
| Polyjacking (foam leveling) | $800–$3,500 | Faster than mudjacking; smaller access holes; growing in NJ market |
| Concrete sawing / cutting | $3–$8/lin ft | For control joints, utility access, or removal prep |
| Concrete demolition & removal | $2–$6/sq ft | Includes haul-away; taxable in NJ (not a capital improvement) |
FAQ About Concrete Cost in NJ
New Jersey Concrete — Frequently Asked Questions
A cubic yard of ready-mix concrete in New Jersey costs $148–$178 at the batch plant in 2026. Northern NJ (Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Passaic) runs $162–$178/yd³. South Jersey (Camden, Atlantic, Cape May) is the most affordable at $148–$155/yd³. Add $10–$18/yd³ for delivery in North NJ, $8–$14/yd³ in South Jersey.
A 20×20 ft slab at 4" thickness needs about 5.9 cubic yards (6.5 with overage). Installed cost: $3,600–$5,600 in South NJ and $4,900–$7,700 in North NJ (material + labor + forming + broom finish). At 6" thickness for a garage, add approximately 50% to material cost and 20–25% to total installed.
A 24×24 ft slab at 6" depth requires about 12.9 cubic yards. Installed in New Jersey: $7,200–$11,200 in South NJ and $9,600–$15,000 in North NJ. Material alone: $1,865–$2,325 statewide. This is one of the most common NJ concrete jobs — a 24×24 detached garage floor. Get 3 bids; in the Bergen/Essex area, pricing spread is often $2,000–$4,000 for the same scope.
A 40×60 ft slab at 6" depth requires approximately 44.4 cubic yards. Installed in NJ: $24,000–$38,000 in South Jersey and $32,000–$52,000 in North NJ. Material alone: $6,400–$8,200. At this scale, get 4+ contractor bids and verify all are HIC-registered. The pricing spread on large pours in NJ is significant.
Unlikely. The NRMCA projects 2–4% national increases in 2026. New Jersey has additional pressures: strong residential construction in Monmouth and Ocean counties, continued NYC Metro infrastructure investment, and NJ's own state transportation capital program keeping cement masons at near full employment. South Jersey benefits slightly from Philadelphia MSA competition, but prices across the state are trending up, not down. Book early — spring and early fall are NJ's peak seasons.
A 10×10 ft slab at 4" thickness requires about 1.2 cubic yards (1.3 with overage) — approximately 55 bags of 80 lb. At $10–$14/bag in NJ, that's $550–$770 in materials alone, plus mixing time. A ready-mix delivery of 1.3 yards in NJ costs $195–$240 for material (plus short-load surcharge of $15–$25/yd³). For any project over 1 cubic yard, ready-mix is more economical and produces more consistent results.
One cubic yard (27 cubic feet) covers: 81 sq ft at 4", 65 sq ft at 5", 54 sq ft at 6", and 40 sq ft at 8" thickness. Always order 10% more than your calculated volume. For a 20×20 ft slab at 4", you need 400 ÷ 81 = 4.9 yards raw, plus 10% = 5.4 yards ordered — round up to 5.5 for most NJ batch plant minimums.
Yes — significantly. Standard concrete driveway in NJ: $8–$15/sq ft installed. Concrete paver driveway: $18–$30/sq ft installed. For a 16×40 ft driveway (640 sq ft), that's $5,100–$9,600 for concrete vs. $11,500–$19,200 for pavers. Concrete is also more durable in NJ's freeze-thaw climate — mortared paver joints fail faster than a properly sealed concrete slab. Pavers offer more design flexibility and individual unit replaceability, but at a significant premium over concrete.
More Resources
More New Jersey Concrete Resources
Calculators
Nearby States
New Jersey pricing verified against NRMCA 2026 data and NJ regional batch plant surveys. HIC licensing requirements sourced from NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (current 2026). Sales tax exemption guidance sourced from NJ Division of Taxation TB-60 and Form ST-8. Updated September 2026. Reviewed quarterly.