Concrete Shortage

Webs

I did a search for concrete shortage but it doesn't look like it has been discussed here yet. Can anyone tell me why there is such a shortage and if it is everyone in the U.S. or just in some places? What is going to be the replacement if there is a decline in concrete? Could this shortage just be due to the huge demand and they aren't able to keep up? I have also heard the plumbing materials are going to be the next shortage for the U.S. Has anyone else heard this?

Cole

One Word: China

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Nathan

There's a shortage?

Another word to add to Cole's: Iraq

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noreast05

That sum it up. Alot of the raw material comes from there. They are in a huge boom right now. Bigger than the one we just saw. It will be going up even more next year. Supply and demand. I'm sure there are many other factors fuel , etc. All you can do is pass along the cost.

Cole

Oh yeah forgot to add that one too.

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rservices

I heard on National Public Radio that their is a heavy import fee;s imposed on some countrys like mexico. we end up buying it from canida and overseas, some one in the gov is bowing to lobbyst.
their plenty of materials available, we just dont let them all compete at the same levels

K2

We had a shortage here and the word was that the Colorado portland cement plant blew a furnace or something. Prices doubled and get in line for mud. Now there is plenty of mud and the prices are still double. Our concrete prices have always been pretty reasonable. I think even with the increases a small contractor is probably in the $150 to $180 a yard.

Mike Finley

WHAT?????

Did I miss something? The last time I used concrete was August, about 4 months ago and as I recall it was under $90 a yard. It went to $150 to $180??????

I just did a remodel job for the CEO of whatever the name of that giant conglomerate concrete place is out here, he was telling me during the summer they had their hands tied up by some government red tape BS and that just recently they got some bill passed and it was supposed to have allowed them to open up the flood gates to get whatever it was they needed in order to eliminate the shortage.

K2

I'll double check. I got the info from one of the plumbing inspectors but i'm sure of the shortage because the whole city including the building dept. was sitting around twiddleing their thumbs for a few months. A shortage like that affects all the trades.The Florence plant was the one supposedly not producing portland.> The last time i bought mud it was $40 a yard but that has been a while.

ConcreteGuy

Apart from the hype and political black helicopter thing, it's called supply and demand. We were never properly taught economics in our local government schools, so don't blame yourself, especially since our educators are almost unanimously liberal and economics is political high voltage.

India and China are realizing an incredible industrial boom. This is a good thing for us in the long run as a prosperous world is less inclined to suffer from envy and fear which often leads to war.

Four years ago I purchased 3,000 psi concrete for $49.00 per cubic yard on a footing job requiring 4,000+ cy's. Today I pay about $70.00.

It is a reality that we need to understand and get used to. Be sure to qualify your bids accordingly.

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noreast05

Here we go again. Monday concrete will be an extra $ 8 a yard. This will bring us well over $90 a yard. GCMan can you truck some up here for me at $70 a yard.

JustaFramer

You guys seem behind the times. This has been going on for three years now. The price of concrete doubled around here in 2002.

TimNJ

I just paid $110 yd in Nov. here in NJ.

Nathan

We were paying about $85/yard in Florida. I'm not sure what it is now that I'm up in Northern Virginia. We haven't started any new homes lately.

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

jimkp

In the Carolinas we are paying 90-95/yard depending on who you use. I agree with GCMan, it is all about supply and demand.

jmic

It also depends on how many yrds. you're getting. Around here if you order less than 5 yrds. you're going to pay a premium, otherwise it's running around $90.00/yrd. for 3000# mix.

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Joe

copusbuilder

China yes....Iraq? I don't see it.
China is booming and buying everything they can get their hands on.
We may all have to go there to look for work in about ten years

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mdshunk

About $140 bucks a yard in my neck of the woods, slightly more for meter mix. Lots of highway projects going on around here, and you're just lucky to get on the batch plant's schedule. That's why I just pay a little more for a meter mix truck, cause you can get them when you need them. No waiting in line to get on a schedule.

GunnCon

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mad_footer

What are all you folks paying on average now for a cubic yard of concrete?