A concrete slab requires 250 cubic yards of concrete. If concrete costs $120 per cubic yard delivered, and there is typically 3% waste factor, what is the total material cost for concrete?
Correct Answer
B) $30,900
Calculate: 250 cubic yards × 1.03 (waste factor) = 257.5 cubic yards. Then 257.5 × $120 = $30,900. The waste factor accounts for spillage, over-excavation, and other typical losses during concrete placement.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option B correctly applies the 3% waste factor to the base concrete quantity before calculating the total cost. The calculation multiplies 250 cubic yards by 1.03 to get 257.5 cubic yards, then multiplies by $120 per cubic yard to reach $30,900. This accounts for the industry-standard waste allowance that contractors must include in their material estimates to cover spillage, over-excavation, and placement losses.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: $30,000
This option fails to include the 3% waste factor, calculating only the base quantity (250 × $120 = $30,000) without accounting for typical concrete losses during placement.
Option C: $32,400
This option appears to use an incorrect waste factor of approximately 8% (250 × 1.08 × $120 = $32,400) rather than the specified 3% waste factor.
Option D: $33,750
This option uses an excessive waste factor of approximately 12.5% (250 × 1.125 × $120 = $33,750) which is unrealistic for standard concrete placement operations.
Memory Technique
Remember 'WAC' - Waste factor Applied first, then Calculate cost. For concrete, 3% waste is standard (think '3% for Concrete spills and Chills').
Reference Hint
Florida Building Code - Chapter 19 (Concrete) and construction estimating references for standard waste factors
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