How much does it cost to lay a concrete slab?

A concrete slab costs between $4.34 and $7.73 per square foot, with an average cost of $6.60 per square foot. The national average cost of a concrete slab is $6.60 per square foot for materials and labor. Most homeowners can expect to pay between $4.34 and $7.73 per square foot for concrete installation.

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The national average cost of a concrete slab is $6.60 per square foot for materials and labor. Most homeowners can expect to pay between $4.34 and $7.73 per square foot for concrete installation. Prices for your concrete slab will vary significantly depending on many factors, including the slab’s thickness, concrete type, and size. If you’d like to add a decorative finish to your concrete slab or install reinforcements, it’s safe to expect a higher bill. Reinforced concrete slabs can cost as much as $9.29 to $10.04 per square foot. Want to add some hardscape or landscape features atop or around your concrete slab — such as a pergola for your patio or trees and bushes to line your new driveway? We’ve detailed those additional costs, too.

How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost?

National Average Cost: $6.60 per square foot

$6.60 per square foot Typical Range: $4.34 to $7.73 per square foot

$4.34 to $7.73 per square foot Reinforced Concrete: $9.29 to $10.04 per square foot The average cost for a concrete slab is $6.60 per square foot. Prices typically range between $4.34 and $7.73 per square foot, depending on the slab’s size and thickness. If the concrete contains reinforcements, such as wire mesh, rebar, or a vapor barrier, the slab may cost as much as $9.29 to $10.04 per square foot.

Cost Estimator by Size

Your concrete slab’s size will impact your total bill. A basic 8 x 8 (64 square feet) concrete slab will cost most homeowners between $278 and $495, while a concrete slab as large as 40 x 80 (3200 square feet) will pull an average of $21,120 from a homeowner’s pockets. The bottom line: The larger the concrete slab, the more you can expect to pay. Slab size Square Footage Average Cost Price Range 8×8 64 $422 $278 to $495 10×10 100 $660 $434 to $773 12×12 144 $950 $625 to $1,113 15×15 225 $1,485 $977 to $1,739 12×20 240 $1,584 $1,042 to $1,855 20×20 400 $2,640 $1,736 to $3,092 24×24 576 $3,802 $2,500 to $4,452 20×30 600 $3,960 $2,604 to $4,638 25×25 625 $4,125 $2,713 to $4,831 20×40 800 $5,280 $3,472 to $6,184 30×30 900 $5,940 $3,906 to $6,957 30×40 1200 $7,920 $5,208 to $9,276 30×50 1500 $9,900 $6,510 to $11,595 40×40 1600 $10,560 $6,944 to $12,368 40×60 2400 $15,840 $10,416 to $18,552 40×80 3200 $21,120 $13,888 to $24,736

Other Factors That Affect Cost

Although the concrete slab’s size plays a significant role in your overall spending, many other factors will affect your final cost. Even if two slabs have the same square footage, their prices may vary depending on their thickness, built-in reinforcements, and finishing type.

Other factors that can affect concrete slab costs include:

Thickness: The thicker the concrete slab, the higher the price per square foot. The thicker the concrete slab, the higher the price per square foot. Reinforcements: Want to increase the slab’s strength and durability? You will pay extra to reinforce it. Want to increase the slab’s strength and durability? You will pay extra to reinforce it. Type of Finish: Giving your concrete slab an added shine or protective coating will cost extra, too. Giving your concrete slab an added shine or protective coating will cost extra, too. Application: How much can you expect to pay for a concrete driveway or concrete patio? We’ll help you estimate those costs. How much can you expect to pay for a concrete driveway or concrete patio? We’ll help you estimate those costs. Grade of Concrete: The concrete’s grade determines how strong and durable the particular mixture is. The concrete’s grade determines how strong and durable the particular mixture is. Land Preparation: If the location isn’t flat or suitable for a concrete slab, you may need to call in a professional to grade or reslope the land.

Thickness

Concrete slabs are typically between 4 and 6 inches thick, though concrete driveways can be as much as 8 inches thick to withstand heavy vehicles. The thicker your concrete slab, the more you can expect to pay. Thick concrete slabs are strong and durable, which is why they drive up costs. A 6-inch concrete slab will also require more material and labor than a 4-inch concrete slab. Installing a 4-inch concrete slab costs an average of $5.35 per square foot, while a 6-inch concrete slab averages around $6.19 per square foot.

Thickness Average cost

* per square foot 4 inches $5.35 5 inches $5.78 6 inches $6.19 Size Square Footage 4 inches 5 inches 6 inches 8×8 64 $342.40 $369.92 $396.16 10×10 100 $535 $578 $619 12×12 144 $770.40 $832.32 $891.36 15×15 225 $1,203.75 $1,300.50 $1,392.75 12×20 240 $1,284 $1,387.20 $1,485.60 20×20 400 $2,140 $2,312 $2,476 24×24 576 $3,081.60 $3,329.28 $3,565.44 20×30 600 $3,210 $3,468 $3,714 25×25 625 $3,343.75 $3,612.50 $3,868.75 20×40 800 $4,280 $4,624 $4,952 30×30 900 $4,815 $5,202 $5,571 30×40 1200 $6,420 $6,936 $7,428 30×50 1500 $8,025 $8,670 $9,285 40×40 1600 $8,560 $9,248 $9,904 40×60 2400 $12,840 $13,872 $14,856 40×80 3200 $17,120 $18,496 $19,808

Reinforcements

Reinforcing your concrete slab increases its strength, durability, and quality. Concrete driveways are typically installed with wire mesh or rebar to help them withstand weight. The wire mesh helps prevent cracks from developing, holds the concrete slab together when it does crack, and evenly distributes weight. The average cost for a basic concrete slab is $6.60 per square foot. When you increase the slab’s durability, strength, and quality with reinforcements, it’s normal to see additional costs on your bill. Reinforced concrete slabs cost between $9.29 to $10.04 per square foot.

Reinforcement options include:

Installing wire mesh or rebar

Increasing slab thickness

Creating thicker slab edges

Installing insulation

Reinforcement Average cost per square foot Description 4-inch concrete slab $5.35 Cost of a basic concrete slab, no reinforcement Wire mesh +$0.35 Reinforces the slab’s strength, helps prevent cracking Vapor barrier +$0.50 Separates the concrete from any moist soil underneath Increase to 6 inches +$0.84 Increases slab’s strength Increasing edge thickness (between 12 inches and 2 feet) +$1.00 to $1.75 Pros will use a concrete edger tool to reinforce the slab’s sides to help prevent cracking 2-inch styrofoam +$1.25 Provides insulation for concrete floors Total Slab Reinforcement Cost: $9.29 to $10.04

Type of finish

A slab of concrete needn’t be gray and dull. Once your concrete slab is installed, you can either leave it be or pay extra for a decorative finish.

Finish Type Average cost

per square foot Description Polish $3 to $7.25 / High End $14 to $30 Pro grinds the concrete to eliminate imperfections and create your desired sheen Stained Concrete $3.40 to $9.75 / High End $25 Concrete can be stained many different colors for added visual appeal Epoxy $4.75 to $10.25 Epoxy sealer is applied to the concrete’s surface to create a glossy, abrasive-resistant coating Stamped Concrete $9 to $16.25 / High End $25.25 Concrete is stamped to mimic tiles, cobblestones, and brick pavers

Application

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How do you plan to use your concrete slab? Will it be your new driveway, your shed’s foundation, or the backyard patio? Your concrete’s purpose will significantly impact its reinforcement, size, thickness, and design –- and ultimately, your total bill.

Concrete patio

A poured concrete patio averages between $4.40 to $16 per square foot for labor and materials. Keep in mind that the prices below do not include land preparation costs. Patio Size Total Square Feet Typical Price Range 8 x 10 80 $352 to $1,280 10 x 10 100 $440 to $1,600 12 x 10 120 $528 to $1,920 14 x 10 140 $616 to $2,240 16 x 10 160 $704 to $2,560 18 x 10 180 $792 to $2,880 20 x 10 200 $880 to $3,200

Concrete driveway

Installing a concrete driveway is typically on the pricier end, as the slab needs lots of reinforcement to sustain the weight of one or more cars. On average, homeowners pay between $6 and $14 per square foot to install a concrete driveway. A 20 x 24 foot (480 square feet) concrete driveway usually will cost you between $2,880 and $6,720.

Shed foundation

A concrete slab can make a solid foundation for a new shed. Shed slabs are usually between 4 and 6 inches thick. Below you’ll find the average slab price for a 100-square-foot concrete shed slab both with reinforcement (mesh wire and vapor barrier) and without.

Size Thickness Reinforcement

(mesh wire and vapor barrier) Average Cost 10 x 10 4 inches No Reinforcement $535 10 x 10 6 inches No Reinforcement $619 10 x 10 4 inches With Reinforcement $620 10 x 10 6 inches With Reinforcement $704

Garage floor

Garage floor prices will vary significantly depending on the slab’s size, reinforcement, and thickness. Below we’ve calculated the average cost of a garage floor that’s 24 x 24 feet (576 square feet), between 4 and 6 inches thick, and contains reinforcing mesh wire, a vapor barrier, and styrofoam insulation. Size Thickness Reinforcement (mesh wire, vapor barrier, and styrofoam insulation) Average Cost 24×24 4 inches With Reinforcement $4,291 24×24 5 inches With Reinforcement $4,539 24×24 6 inches With Reinforcement $4,775

Monolithic foundation

A monolithic foundation is a concrete slab that pros pour all at once. Because the foundation’s concrete is poured all at once, labor costs are kept low. The slab is the base of your house and is thicker around its edges to hold up the walls. On average, a monolithic concrete foundation costs between $4.50 and $14 per square foot.

Grade of concrete

A concrete mix is made up of sand, cement, water, and loose aggregates. Depending on the mixture’s composition, the concrete’s strength will vary. Concrete grades are determined by the concrete’s minimum strength measured in newtons 28 days after setting. Grades help pros and DIYers identify the most suitable concrete composition for their project. Some grades of concrete are more expensive than others. The more robust and durable the concrete mixture, the more you can expect to pay.

Land preparation

Before you can pour any concrete, the land will need to be suitable for the concrete slab. A slab won’t settle well on hilly or bumpy terrain. It’s best to pour the concrete on a flat surface. What this means: You may need to hire a professional landscaper to level, clear, or grade the land before installing the concrete.

Extra Services

Once the pros have installed your concrete slab, it’s time to put it to good use. Show it off with some attractive landscaping, pair it with a deck, or add a pergola for shade and privacy. Below are just some of the hardscaping and landscaping features you may want to put atop or around your concrete slab — and yes, you should get your checkbook ready. Add trees, bushes, or flower beds around your concrete slab of a driveway or patio. Deck: A deck provides an easy transition from the home to your new concrete patio. A deck provides an easy transition from the home to your new concrete patio. Pergola: Need some shade around your concrete slab? A pergola might do the trick. Need some shade around your concrete slab? A pergola might do the trick. Outdoor Kitchen: As the party chef, bring your cooking where the action is — at the grill atop your concrete slab. As the party chef, bring your cooking where the action is — at the grill atop your concrete slab. Fire Pit: Put a fire pit atop your concrete slab to create a gathering point for family and friends on cool evenings.

Landscaping

Landscaping costs most homeowners between $4,000 and $20,317, though costs will vary from project to project. We’ve calculated the additional costs below for several popular hardscaping and landscaping projects. Landscaping Project Average Cost Sod Installation $0.87 to $1.76 per square foot Pathway Installation $8 to $22 per square foot Tree and Bush Planting $25 to $3,000 Mulch Installation $37 to $113 per cubic yard Flower Bed Planting $650 to $3,000 Retaining Wall Installation $4,025 to $8,711 Gazebo Installation $5,364 to $9,027

Deck

Building a deck costs most homeowners between $22 and $48 per square foot. It’s a great space for the family to enjoy each other’s company outdoors and is excellent for homes with sloped terrain. If your new concrete slab is somewhere in the backyard, a deck can help create an easy transition from the backdoor to the slab.

Pergola

Like a gazebo or a pavilion, a pergola is a tall sheltering structure. It has a slatted roof that allows sunlight to pass through while providing some shade. All of these hardscape will benefit from a concrete slab’s solid base. Unlike a gazebo, a pavilion has no railings or barriers around its structure, creating a completely open layout that allows you to come and go. Pergolas have no built-in floors, which is why they are typically built on patios or decks. Set up a few chairs beneath the shade of your pergola and grow some flowering vines along its roof. Pergola installation costs range between $2,216 and $8,959. For DIYers, pergola kits are easy to build and cost less.

Outdoor kitchen

Have you always dreamed of owning an outdoor kitchen? Once you have a concrete slab in the yard, you’ll finally have a place to build your new kitchen. Typically, an outdoor kitchen costs an average of $5,057 to $17,276. Outdoor kitchens are a great source of outdoor entertainment. While your guests enjoy themselves by the pool or the fire pit, you won’t have to worry about missing out on the fun as you prepare the party meal.

Fire pit

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It’s easy to get the family outdoors when you have a fire pit to gather around on your new concrete slab. Don’t forget to bring out the chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows too. Put some comfy chairs around your fire pit for a very hygge setting.

Fire pit costs typically range from $367 to $2,233.

Cost of Concrete Slabs Across the U.S.

All costs listed in this pricing guide are national averages. Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on where you live. Local concrete and labor costs may differ depending on the region’s demand and market. While most homeowners spend between $4.34 to $7.73 per square foot to install a concrete slab, your total costs may fall below or above the average range depending on your location.

DIY Concrete Slab

Pouring concrete is a difficult job. Unless you’re an experienced DIYer, it might be best to leave this concrete project to the professionals. Installing concrete is heavy-duty, back-aching work, and it can take one person a lot of time to complete. Attempting to pour the concrete yourself might also lead to mistakes that are expensive to fix. Here’s what you can expect if you want to install your own concrete slab: Clear the land where you will put your concrete slab. Remove any grass, bushes, shrubs, rocks, and even old concrete until the soil is exposed. You’ll have to ensure the soil, also known as the concrete’s subgrade, is entirely compact and tamped. Otherwise, if the subgrade is shifting beneath the concrete, the slab’s structure and strength will be compromised. where you will put your concrete slab. Remove any grass, bushes, shrubs, rocks, and even old concrete until the soil is exposed. You’ll have to ensure the soil, also known as the concrete’s subgrade, is entirely compact and tamped. Otherwise, if the subgrade is shifting beneath the concrete, the slab’s structure and strength will be compromised. Apply the subbase , which is the layer above the soil subgrade. Gravel is a common subbase material. You’ll need to tamp down the subbase before moving forward. , which is the layer above the soil subgrade. Gravel is a common subbase material. You’ll need to tamp down the subbase before moving forward. Mark where your concrete slab will go. Install a wooden perimeter around the area. The frame will allow you to achieve better precision when pouring the concrete. Install a wooden perimeter around the area. The frame will allow you to achieve better precision when pouring the concrete. Install the wire mesh or rebar. Mix your concrete composition using a concrete mixer or a wheelbarrow and shovel. Wear a mask, safety glasses, rubber gloves and work boots, pants, and a long sleeve shirt. composition using a concrete mixer or a wheelbarrow and shovel. Wear a mask, safety glasses, rubber gloves and work boots, pants, and a long sleeve shirt. Pour the concrete inside the perimeter and spread the mixture around with shovels and rakes. inside the perimeter and spread the mixture around with shovels and rakes. Level and smooth out the wet concrete with a screeding tool. with a screeding tool. Run a bull float across the concrete’s surface. This tool presses down any floating aggregate and allows aggregate-free concrete to rise to the surface. This tool presses down any floating aggregate and allows aggregate-free concrete to rise to the surface. Edge the sides of the concrete with a concrete edger. The edger makes the sides more precise and less susceptible to cracking. with a concrete edger. The edger makes the sides more precise and less susceptible to cracking. Make joints every 5 to 6 feet with a groover. The joints help to limit cracks in the concrete. with a groover. The joints help to limit cracks in the concrete. Sweep the slab’s surface with a broom to help create traction on the concrete. Otherwise, the surface might be slippery. to help create traction on the concrete. Otherwise, the surface might be slippery. Apply a concrete sealer to help the concrete cure.

For a visual DIY guide, check out this instructional video by MARSHALLTOWN:

FAQ About Concrete Slabs

1. What is the difference between concrete and cement? While concrete and cement are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same thing. Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Concrete mixtures typically contain a composition of sand, cement, water, and loose aggregates. 2. How long does it take concrete to cure? After 24 to 48 hours, it’s safe for you or a pet to walk on the concrete without leaving any footprints. Wait seven days before allowing heavy machines or vehicles on the concrete. After 28 days, your concrete slab should be at its full strength. 3. How do I maintain my concrete slab? — Keep it clean. Wash off any stains as soon they appear –– especially oil spills –– and remove any dirt between the joints. — Don’t put more weight on the slab than it can bear. A residential concrete driveway might be able to handle your car, but it won’t do well under the weight of a moving or delivery truck for too long. — Apply a sealant to the concrete to help limit cracks and damage. — When you see cracks form, call up a professional to have them repaired. 4. How long does a concrete slab last? It’s difficult to determine how long a concrete slab will last since all slabs vary in quality and strength. Most slabs will last between 50 and 100 years, but some slabs can start to crack and crumble much sooner.

Conclusion

Patios, driveways, foundations –– concrete slabs can serve many purposes around your home. Call a concrete contractor near you to install the slab for you or turn it into a DIY home improvement project if you’re confident in your skills. Professional concrete slab installation costs an average of $6.60 per square foot, with costs typically running from $4.34 to $7.73 per square foot. Remember, prices will vary depending on many factors, including the slab’s thickness, size, and strength. A reinforced concrete slab costs more than a basic slab without wire mesh or rebar, typically ranging between $9.29 to $10.04 per square foot. Main Photo Credit: Will and Christine Hull / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

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