Updated April 10, 2024
Author: Michael Day
I install 50 - 100 concrete slabs per year, most all the concrete slab estimates I do cost between the $8.50 to $14.00 per square foot as I have described below.
When estimating the cost of a concrete slab, the following five factors are crucial:
Other factors may also influence the cost, such as the project's location, accessibility, local building codes, and the time of year the work is performed.
MY UPDATED PRICES for 2024!
I'll base my price on what my actual estimate would be to install a 6" thick concrete slab for one of my customers.
Base cost for a 6" thick concrete slab -- $9.50 per square foot
Take the length of the concrete slab x the width of the slab to get the total square footage.
Multiply the total square footage by 9 (dollars) to get the total price.
L x W x $9.50 in this example.
A 32' x 24' x 6" thick concrete slab would cost $7296.00
Included in my concrete slab price:
Those are the basic materials and labor included in the cost of a concrete slab.
Size | Square Footage | Thickness | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|
10’x10’ | 100 | 6" | $850–$1,400 |
12’x12’ | 144 | 6" | $1,224–$2,016 |
10’x20’ | 200 | 6" | $1,700–$2,800 |
20’x20’ | 400 | 6" | $3,400–$5,600 |
20’x30’ | 600 | 6" | $5,100–$8,400 |
30’x30’ | 900 | 6" | $7,650–$12,600 |
40’x40’ | 1600 | 6" | $13,600–$22,400 |
Contractor pricing: One thing to consider on smaller concrete slabs is the concrete contractor you hire may have a minimum charge for labor, such as $1500.00 to install a slab.
That's perfectly normal for a contractor to do that as there needs to be a certain amount of profit built into the price depending on the company you hire.
If you're trying to figure out what the cost of a concrete slab will be, you've found the right place. I've owned my own concrete company for over 30 years called Day's Concrete Floors, Inc. We install a lot of concrete slabs for houses and garages throughout the course of a year. |
House and Garage slab
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There are many variables that come into play when figuring the cost of a concrete slab.
I'll break them down for you below to help you estimate what a concrete slab might cost you.
A concrete slab is poured right on a gravel pad and the edges are formed with 2x4's, 2x6's, 2x8's etc.
A concrete floor is poured inside a concrete foundation, ICF walls, cement block walls, I think you get the idea.
I'll tell you what I include and don't include in my concrete slab prices and give you an idea of what the "extra cost" is for some of the things that aren't included in the regular concrete slab cost.
When trying to estimate the cost of a concrete slab, the first thing you should do is check with your local building codes. They might have specific guidelines you have to follow to install a concrete slab in your area.
Hey, if you're thinking of installing your own concrete slab then check out my training course.
How to form and pour a concrete slab for do-it-yourselfers.
This video training course will teach you, step by step, how to build, pour, and trowel finish your own concrete slab.
Check it out, it could save you hundreds of dollars by doing it yourself!!
Here's my list of all the tools you'll need to install the slab.
For more detailed and specific concrete slab pricing, join The Concrete Underground where you can interact with me about your concrete slab and I can help you with a more accurate cost.
Common things that will add to the $9.50 per sq. ft. cost of a concrete slab
1. THICKER EDGES (from 12" - 2') ADD $2.00 to $3.00 PER SQUARE FOOT
2. VAPOR BARRIER UNDER SLAB - ADD $.50 PER SQUARE FOOT
3. 2 INCH STYROFOAM UNDER SLAB - ADD $3.00 PER SQUARE FOOT
4. WIRE MESH INSTEAD OF FIBERMESH - ADD $.75 PER SQUARE FOOT
5. PUMP TRUCK IF CONCRETE TRUCK CAN'T REACH - ADD $1500.00 TO THE TOTAL PRICE (approximate)
If
your concrete slab is only 4" thick instead of 6" that will reduce the
total slab cost by $.50 cents per square foot to $9.00 per sq. ft.
Any dirt work and grading of the sub-base would be an extra cost as would adding radiant heat to the concrete slab.
Use these prices as a general guide only, always get three estimates
from local concrete contractors to compare slab prices and remember to
check references.
Remember to check with your local and state building codes, Maine requires a 16" thick edge and 2" of styrofoam under the slab, your state might be similar.
This concrete slab we formed and are getting ready to pour is 50' x 40 x 6" thick with 12" thick edges. The cost for this slab was $12.00 per sq. ft. That price didn't include dirt work or radiant tubing installation.
The gravel work and preparation cost $5.00 per square foot for this slab.
Additional Considerations:
If you want more advanced concrete slab training as well as other concrete flatwork training, you can learn from me in The Concrete Underground.
This is my private coaching/training academy where I teach others how to successfully work with concrete.
You also have access to me for questions and answers through a community forums area to talk about estimating, pricing and all types of other concrete related questions.
Come join me and a bunch of others inside The Concrete Underground now!
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