The typical cost of a new concrete slab is between $3,600 and $7,200
Chances are, you’ve given very little thought about concrete slabs. But if you dream of the perfect house, a car in your driveway, and a spacious patio, that slab is a secret superhero.
A typical 900-square-foot concrete slab costs $6 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor, with a typical range between $4 and $8 per square foot, including labor. The cost of a new concrete slab depends on its size and thickness, but is typically between $3,600 and $7,200.
How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost Per Square Foot?
On average, a new concrete slab will cost $6 per square foot, or $110 per cubic yard. The mixture’s design plus the slab’s size and thickness determines the cost. Additional factors affect the cost of a concrete slab as well, such as subbase preparation, forms, finishing, reinforcements, and the local price of concrete.
| Slab Size (sq. ft.) | Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10x10 | 100 | $600 |
| 20x20 | 400 | $2,400 |
| 30x30 | 900 | $5,400 |
What Factors Influence the Cost to a New Concrete Slab?
There’s a lot at play in the cost of a concrete slab, including labor, type of slab, size, and any extra add-ons or enhancements you opt for.
Labor
Labor costs for installing a concrete slab are $2 to $3 per square foot. On average, labor makes up between a half and one-third of the total average cost.
Pre-Cast Slabs or Poured On-Site
Depending on the size of the concrete slab you’re looking for, smaller slabs can be pre-cast and delivered. These concrete slabs are poured off-site and transported to the site to be placed.
On average, pre-cast slabs cost $20 to $30 per square foot. A similar-sized slab poured on-site runs, on average, $6 per square foot including labor.
Accessibility
Locations that are difficult to access, such as a basement crawlspace, may need specialized equipment to reach, resulting in increased labor costs.
Concrete Grade
How strong and stable concrete is depends completely on its composition. The higher the grade, the greater its durability, and the more it costs.
Size or Area
Concrete is priced by the square foot by contractors and by the cubic yard by manufacturers. For smaller, easily accessible areas, pre-cast slabs offer a durable option that reduces time while increasing safety, quality, and productivity.
Thickness and Reinforcements
Residential concrete slabs are 4 to 6 inches thick. As the thickness of the slab varies, reinforcements from wire mesh or rebar will affect the cost of the concrete.
Fiber mesh is common in concrete and helps hold the mix together, but isn’t effective in reinforcing the concrete. Wire mesh, however, does strengthen the concrete and minimizes the small hairline cracking that can occur.
Rebar are iron rods that are inserted into slabs for added rigidity. Wire mesh or rebar will help strengthen the concrete and lower the risk of large cracks.
Enhancements
Concrete slabs aren’t all drab. Shape and decoration, such as curved edges, multi-colored hues, and decorative stamping, can be worked into a concrete slab during the finishing process.
How Much Does It Cost to Pour a Concrete Slab Near You?
Concrete slab pricing fluctuates by region. A concrete slab can cost around $5.35 per square foot in the middle of the country or be as high as $8.50 per square foot in coastal states including California and New York.
| Location | Cost per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|
| California | $7.67 – $8.53 |
| Montana | $5.78 – $6.43 |
| Kansas | $5.46 – $6.13 |
| Maine | $6.73 – $7.49 |
| Texas | $5.31 – $5.90 |
| New Mexico | $5.81 – $6.46 |
| Florida | $5.89 – $6.56 |
| Kentucky | $5.16 – $5.74 |
| New York | $6.67 – $8.53 |
How Much Concrete Can I Get on My Budget?
Concrete alone costs between $3 and $4 per square foot. A typical concrete slab for residential construction is between 4 and 6 inches thick. How much you budget determines how big of a slab you can get, and how thick.
| Budget | Slab Size |
|---|---|
| $2,000 | 900 sq. ft. |
| $3,000 | 1,350 sq. ft. |
| $4,000 | 1,800 sq. ft. |
| $5,000 | 2,250 sq. ft. |
| $6,000 | 2,700 sq. ft. |
| $7,000 | 3,150 sq. ft. |
How Much Does It Cost to Pour a Concrete Slab Yourself?
You can expect to save on average $2.55 on labor per square foot by pouring a concrete slab yourself. However, pouring concrete is no easy task.
Before you begin pouring, you have to make sure you have the right materials—and they’re likely not already in your toolshed. You’ll need specialty tools including a concrete mixer, grading equipment, and concrete forms, along with shovels, rakes, trowels, and fine brooms.
It’s also a lengthy process, involving site preparation; forming, mixing, and pouring the concrete; troweling; finishing; and curing. A professional job can take between 24 to 48 hours of work. Going the DIY route is likely much longer. You also should consider whether you want to start from scratch, or pour new concrete over old concrete.
How Much Does It Cost for a New Concrete Slab by Type?
What type of concrete slab you need depends on how you’ll be using it. That is, whether it’s being used as a foundation for your home, to support an RV, or to define a backyard patio.
| Concrete Slab Purpose | Slab Size (sq. ft.) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete Slab for a Shed | 80 sq. ft. | $480 |
| Concrete Parking Pad | 200 sq. ft. | $1,200 |
| Concrete Patio Slab | 463 sq. ft. | $2,780 |
| Concrete Garage Floor | 557 sq. ft. | $3,460 |
| Concrete Driveway | 608 sq. ft. | $3,650 |
| Concrete RV Pad | 640 sq. ft. | $3,840 |
| Slab for a Mobile Home | 1,620 sq. ft. | $9,720 |
| Monolithic Slab Foundation | 2,050 sq. ft. | $12,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Despite a high initial investment, pre-cast concrete is regarded as a durable concrete option. Prefabricated concrete slabs are poured offsite and delivered to you. If the slab required for the area is large, a prefabricated concrete slab may not be possible.
By adding reinforcements, you increase the strength and durability of your concrete slab. The price of concrete often includes fibrous mesh, but wire mesh or rebar is a separate cost. Reinforcements are needed depending on the concrete’s thickness and the quality or type of soil under the slab.
Depending on the size and location of your project, you can judge whether a precast slab would be more cost-beneficial than pouring a concrete slab. Keep in mind additional costs are associated with pouring concrete, including labor, concrete forms, reinforcements, decorative enhancements, finishing, and curing.
While you’re pouring your slab, consider other jobs like leveling your yard or installing sod to complement your new patio. Another idea is to make use of a cement truck and repave your concrete driveway.
