How Much Does It Cost to Start a Concrete Business?
Last updated: March 2026
National Average
Low
$25,000
Medium
$65,000
High
$150,000
Start a concrete contracting business providing foundations, driveways, flatwork, decorative concrete, and concrete repair services.
Time to Launch
2-4 months
Profit Margins
15-30%
Break-Even Timeline
6-18 months
Interactive Cost Calculator
Select a state below to see state-adjusted costs.
Startup Cost Calculator
Concrete Business in Nationally
Budget:
$1,500
$6,000
$15,000
$4,000
$6,000
$3,000
$5,000
$15,000
Options
Employees:
One-Time Costs
$55,500
Monthly Costs
$0
First Year Total
$55,500
Startup Costs by State
| State | Low | Medium | High | LLC Fee | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $21,250 | $55,250 | $127,500 | $50 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | $21,500 | $55,900 | $129,000 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Alabama | $22,000 | $57,200 | $132,000 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | $22,250 | $57,850 | $133,500 | $45 | 6.5% |
| Oklahoma | $22,250 | $57,850 | $133,500 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Kansas | $22,500 | $58,500 | $135,000 | $160 | 6.5% |
| Indiana | $22,750 | $59,150 | $136,500 | $95 | 7.0% |
| Iowa | $22,750 | $59,150 | $136,500 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Michigan | $22,750 | $59,150 | $136,500 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Nebraska | $22,750 | $59,150 | $136,500 | $105 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | $22,750 | $59,150 | $136,500 | $99 | 5.8% |
| Kentucky | $23,000 | $59,800 | $138,000 | $40 | 6.0% |
| Louisiana | $23,000 | $59,800 | $138,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Missouri | $23,000 | $59,800 | $138,000 | $50 | 4.2% |
| Tennessee | $23,000 | $59,800 | $138,000 | $300 | 7.0% |
| Texas | $23,000 | $59,800 | $138,000 | $300 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | $23,500 | $61,100 | $141,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | $23,750 | $61,750 | $142,500 | $150 | 6.3% |
| New Mexico | $23,750 | $61,750 | $142,500 | $50 | 5.1% |
| Wisconsin | $23,750 | $61,750 | $142,500 | $130 | 5.0% |
| North Carolina | $24,000 | $62,400 | $144,000 | $125 | 4.8% |
| South Carolina | $24,000 | $62,400 | $144,000 | $110 | 6.0% |
| South Dakota | $24,250 | $63,050 | $145,500 | $150 | 4.5% |
| Minnesota | $24,500 | $63,700 | $147,000 | $155 | 6.9% |
| North Dakota | $24,750 | $64,350 | $148,500 | $135 | 5.0% |
| Wyoming | $25,000 | $65,000 | $150,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Nevada | $25,500 | $66,300 | $153,000 | $425 | 6.8% |
| Arizona | $25,750 | $66,950 | $154,500 | $50 | 5.6% |
| Florida | $25,750 | $66,950 | $154,500 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Idaho | $25,750 | $66,950 | $154,500 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $25,750 | $66,950 | $154,500 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Delaware | $26,000 | $67,600 | $156,000 | $110 | 0.0% |
| Virginia | $26,000 | $67,600 | $156,000 | $100 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | $26,500 | $68,900 | $159,000 | $50 | 2.9% |
| Montana | $26,500 | $68,900 | $159,000 | $70 | 0.0% |
| Utah | $26,500 | $68,900 | $159,000 | $54 | 4.8% |
| Oregon | $28,000 | $72,800 | $168,000 | $100 | 0.0% |
| Vermont | $28,000 | $72,800 | $168,000 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Maine | $28,500 | $74,100 | $171,000 | $175 | 5.5% |
| Rhode Island | $29,000 | $75,400 | $174,000 | $150 | 7.0% |
| New Hampshire | $29,250 | $76,050 | $175,500 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Washington | $29,500 | $76,700 | $177,000 | $200 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | $29,750 | $77,350 | $178,500 | $120 | 6.3% |
| New Jersey | $31,250 | $81,250 | $187,500 | $125 | 6.6% |
| Alaska | $31,750 | $82,550 | $190,500 | $250 | 0.0% |
| Maryland | $32,250 | $83,850 | $193,500 | $100 | 6.0% |
| California | $33,750 | $87,750 | $202,500 | $70 | 7.3% |
| New York | $34,750 | $90,350 | $208,500 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | $37,500 | $97,500 | $225,000 | $500 | 6.3% |
| Hawaii | $48,250 | $125,450 | $289,500 | $50 | 4.0% |
Cheapest & Most Expensive States
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi$55,250
- West Virginia$55,900
- Alabama$57,200
- Arkansas$57,850
- Oklahoma$57,850
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii$125,450
- Massachusetts$97,500
- New York$90,350
- California$87,750
- Maryland$83,850
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting a concrete contracting business typically requires $25,000–$65,000, covering licensing, liability insurance ($1,500–$4,000/year), workers comp, a heavy-duty truck and trailer ($5,000–$15,000), concrete tools and equipment ($2,000–$6,000), forms, and working capital for material purchases.
Decorative concrete (stamped, stained, polished) commands $12–$25/sq ft vs. $4–$8/sq ft for standard flatwork — 50–100% higher margins. Foundations and structural work have lower margins but higher volume. Driveways and patios provide steady residential demand. Decorative finishes are the highest-margin segment.
Requirements vary by state and project type. Residential driveways and flatwork often require only a general contractor license. Foundations and structural concrete may require specialty licensing. Some states require ACI (American Concrete Institute) certification for inspectors and technical work.
Concrete finishers earn $25–$45/hour as employees. Concrete contractors bill $50–$100/hour for labor, with total project pricing based on square footage ($4–$25/sq ft depending on complexity). A crew of 3 can place 500–800 sq ft of flatwork per day, generating $2,000–$6,000 in billable work.