Concrete Short Load Fee: What It Is and How to Cut It

A concrete short load fee is the extra charge a ready-mix plant adds when you order less than its minimum load. A mixer truck costs about the same to send out whether it carries 2 yards or 9, so plants recover that cost on small orders with a flat fee, a per-yard charge for each yard under the minimum, or both. On a small patio or set of steps, the fee can add a big share to the bill, so it is worth understanding before you call in an order.

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How short load fees are usually figured

Every plant sets its own terms, but you will usually see one of these:

Flat fee below a minimum. For example, any order under a set number of yards gets one fixed charge added.
Per-yard shortage charge. You pay an added amount for each yard below the minimum. Ordering 3 yards against a 6-yard minimum means paying for 3 short yards.
Sliding scale. The fee shrinks as the order gets closer to the minimum.
Small-truck pricing. Some plants send a smaller truck and price the whole order differently.

Minimums are often in the range of a few yards up to a typical full-truck load, and they can change with season, distance, and how busy the plant is. Ask for the exact numbers when you get a quote.

Other charges that show up on small orders

Delivery or trucking fee, sometimes based on distance from the plant.
Waiting or unloading time. Plants allow a set number of minutes to unload, often based on load size, then charge by the minute.
Weekend, after-hours, or holiday delivery.
Admixtures such as fiber, accelerators, or hot water in winter.
Environmental or fuel surcharges, often a few dollars per load or yard.

Is bagged concrete cheaper for small pours?

Sometimes. At about 45 bags of 80-pound mix per cubic yard, bags make sense for jobs well under a yard, such as fence posts, a small pad, or a few steps. Around 1 to 2 yards, the math gets closer once you count a mixer rental, your time, and the risk of cold joints between batches. Past about 2 yards, a ready-mix truck with a short load fee usually wins on time and quality. See how many bags of concrete are in a yard for the bag math.

Ways to lower or avoid the fee

Combine pours. Have the pad, walkway, and steps formed and ready for the same truck.
Coordinate with a neighbor. If two households need small pours on the same street and day, some plants will split a load between nearby addresses for a fee. Ask first.
Ask about small-load trucks. Some suppliers specialize in short loads and may have better pricing for 1 to 3 yards.
Try a volumetric mixer. These trucks mix on site and charge for what they produce, which can suit small or uncertain amounts.
Order the right amount once. A second short load because the first came up short means paying the fee twice.

Getting an accurate quantity

Measure the formed area and the actual depth at several points, then use the concrete calculator to get cubic yards. Add 5 to 10 percent for waste. Ask the dispatcher whether they sell in quarter or half yards so you can round sensibly.

The same idea at asphalt plants

Hot-mix asphalt plants handle small orders in a similar way, with minimum tonnage and small-load charges. Our post on the asphalt plant minimum order explains how that works if you are pricing a small paving job.

Questions people ask

What is a short load fee for concrete?

An extra charge a ready-mix plant adds when an order is below its minimum load size, because a truck trip costs about the same either way.

How is a concrete short load fee calculated?

It may be a flat fee, a charge for each yard below the minimum, a sliding scale, or special pricing for a small truck. Ask the plant.

What is the minimum concrete order?

Many plants will deliver small amounts, but minimums before short-load charges vary from a few yards to close to a full truck.

Is it cheaper to use bags than pay a short load fee?

For well under a yard, bags often win. Above about 2 yards, ready-mix usually makes more sense even with the fee.

How can I avoid a short load fee?

Combine several pours into one order, ask about small-load suppliers or volumetric mixers, and calculate the amount carefully so you only order once.

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