DIY Concrete vs Hiring a Contractor (Honest Cost Comparison)
Pouring concrete yourself saves **50-70%** compared to hiring a contractor, but those savings come with significant labor, time pressure, and risk. A 12×12 patio might cost $400-600 DIY versus $1,200-2,000 professional—real savings, but you're trading money for 8-12 hours of hard physical work and the possibility of expensive mistakes.
DIY Concrete vs Hiring a Contractor (Honest Cost Comparison)
Pouring concrete yourself saves 50-70% compared to hiring a contractor, but those savings come with significant labor, time pressure, and risk. A 12×12 patio might cost $400-600 DIY versus $1,200-2,000 professional—real savings, but you're trading money for 8-12 hours of hard physical work and the possibility of expensive mistakes.
This guide breaks down the true costs, effort involved, and helps you decide which approach makes sense for your specific project. Use our concrete cost calculator to compare costs for your project dimensions.
True Cost Comparison: Same Project, Both Ways
Let's look at a common project—a 12×12 patio (144 square feet) at 4 inches thick:
DIY Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Concrete (40 bags, 80 lb) | $240-280 |
| Gravel base (0.5 yards) | $40-60 |
| Lumber for forms | $40-60 |
| Wire mesh | $30-40 |
| Tool rental (mixer, float, edger) | $75-100 |
| Stakes, screws, release agent | $20-30 |
| Total | $445-570 |
Professional Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Installed price (144 sqft × $8-12) | $1,150-1,730 |
| Total | $1,150-1,730 |
The Savings
- DIY savings: $700-1,160 (about 60%)
- Time investment: 8-12 hours of labor across 2-3 days
- Risk: Redo costs $400+ if something goes wrong
The savings are real. But so is the work.
What DIY Concrete Really Involves
Before you commit to DIY, understand what the work actually looks like:
Day 1: Preparation (4-6 hours)
- Mark out the area and check for level
- Excavate 6-8 inches deep (this is hard, sweaty work)
- Compact the soil
- Add and compact 4 inches of gravel base
- Build forms from 2×4 lumber
- Set forms level with proper slope for drainage
- Install wire mesh or rebar
Day 2: The Pour (4-6 hours of intense work)
- Mix concrete in batches (if using bags) OR coordinate ready-mix delivery
- Pour concrete into forms before it sets
- Spread and level with a screed board
- Bull float to bring cream to surface
- Edge the perimeter
- Cut control joints
- Apply broom finish for texture
- Cover and begin curing
The catch: Once you start mixing or the truck arrives, you have 30-90 minutes to get the concrete placed, leveled, and finished before it becomes unworkable. There's no pause button.
For mixing guidance, see our how to mix concrete guide.
Where DIY Makes Sense
DIY is a good choice when:
Project is small (under 100 sqft). A 4×8 shed pad or set of stepping stones is manageable for one person with bagged concrete.
Shape is simple. Rectangles and squares are straightforward. Curves, multiple levels, or complex shapes require experience.
You have help. Concrete work is a team sport. Two people can handle a small patio; bigger projects need 3-4 helpers.
Stakes are low. A backyard utility pad that doesn't need to look perfect is lower-risk than your home's front walkway.
You're physically capable. 80-lb bags are heavy. Mixing, pouring, and finishing is exhausting. Be honest about your fitness level.
You've done it before. Prior experience makes everything smoother. Your first pour shouldn't be your driveway.
Where Professionals Are Worth It
Hire a pro when:
Project is large (over 200 sqft). The timeline pressure of ready-mix concrete makes large pours risky without a crew.
It's your driveway or foundation. Driveways need proper thickness, reinforcement, and finishing to last. Foundations have structural and code requirements. Mistakes are expensive.
You want decorative finishes. Stamped, colored, or exposed aggregate concrete requires skill and specialized tools.
Access is limited. Backyard projects that require wheelbarrowing concrete add time pressure and labor.
Time matters more than money. A contractor finishes in a day what might take you a weekend—and your results may not match.
Hidden Costs of DIY
The material cost comparison doesn't tell the whole story:
Tool Rental or Purchase
- Concrete mixer: $50-75/day rental (or $300+ to buy)
- Finishing tools: $50-100 (float, edger, groover)
- Wheelbarrows: $50-100 each if you don't own them
Your Time
A 12×12 patio takes 8-12 hours across two days. What's your time worth? At $25/hour, that's $200-300 in "labor" you're contributing.
The Cost of Mistakes
Not enough concrete? A second batch after your first pour has set means a visible seam at best, structural weakness at worst.
Improper slope? Water pools on the surface or flows toward your foundation.
Didn't finish in time? The surface becomes unworkable. You might face tearing out and starting over.
Cracks from poor curing? Surface cracks are cosmetic, but structural cracks may require demolition and replacement.
A professional mistake is their problem to fix. A DIY mistake is your problem—and you'll pay full price to a contractor to repair or replace it.
Risks of DIY Gone Wrong
Concrete is unforgiving. Unlike painting or flooring, you can't undo a pour once it sets.
Common DIY failures:
- Surface too rough or too smooth (finishing timing issues)
- Uneven or out-of-level slab
- Cracking from improper control joints
- Scaling and spalling from poor curing
- Drainage problems from incorrect slope
The worst case: Paying for materials, spending a weekend working, ending up with a failed slab, then paying a contractor to remove it and start over. Total cost: more than just hiring the pro initially.
Decision Framework
Use this checklist to decide:
| Factor | DIY | Hire Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Size under 100 sqft | ✓ | |
| Size over 200 sqft | ✓ | |
| Simple rectangle shape | ✓ | |
| Complex shape or curves | ✓ | |
| Basic broom finish | ✓ | |
| Decorative finish | ✓ | |
| Driveway or structural | ✓ | |
| Have 2+ helpers available | ✓ | |
| First concrete project ever | ✓ | |
| Budget is top priority | ✓ | |
| Quality is top priority | ✓ |
If you checked mostly left column: DIY is reasonable. If you checked mostly right column: Hire a professional. Mixed results: Consider doing prep work yourself (excavation, forms, gravel) and hiring out the pour.
The Hybrid Approach
You can save money without doing everything yourself:
Do the prep, hire the pour. Excavate, install gravel base, and build forms yourself. Have a contractor pour and finish. This can save 20-30% while leaving the high-skill work to pros.
Small project DIY, large project pro. Pour your shed pad yourself to learn the process. Hire out the driveway.
Calculate Your Project
Before deciding, know your actual numbers:
- Use our concrete slab calculator to determine how much concrete you need
- Use our patio calculator for patio-specific estimates
- Compare material costs vs contractor quotes in your area
For a deeper dive into pricing, see our guide on concrete cost per square foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I save doing concrete myself?
DIY typically saves 50-70% compared to hiring a contractor. A project that costs $2,000 professionally might cost $600-800 in materials and tool rental. However, factor in your time (8-15+ hours depending on size) and the risk of costly mistakes.
What size project can a beginner DIY?
For a first concrete project, keep it under 50-75 square feet—something like a shed pad, small walkway section, or stepping stones. This lets you learn the process with lower stakes. A 10×10 patio is manageable with research and helpers; a driveway is too risky for beginners.
What tools do I need to pour concrete?
Essential tools include: forms (2×4 lumber), screed board, bull float, hand float, edging tool, groover for control joints, wheelbarrow, shovels, and a concrete mixer for bagged concrete (or coordination for ready-mix delivery). Expect $150-250 in tool rental or purchase for a small project.
What happens if I mess up a DIY concrete pour?
Minor issues like surface imperfections may be livable. Major problems—uneven surface, improper slope, structural cracks—typically require demolition and replacement. You'd pay for concrete removal ($1-3/sqft), disposal, and then full price for a contractor to do it right. This can cost more than hiring a pro initially.
Key Takeaways
- DIY saves 50-70% but requires 8-15+ hours of hard labor
- Keep first projects under 100 sqft with simple shapes
- Driveways, decorative concrete, and large projects are best left to pros
- Factor in tool costs and mistake risk, not just materials
- Consider the hybrid approach: DIY prep, pro pour
For material-specific guidance, check out ready-mix vs bagged concrete, or learn about what a yard of concrete actually is before estimating quantities. Browse all our concrete guides.