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Concrete Slab Pricing

How much does a concrete slab cost?

concrete slab typically costs between $4 to $8 per square foot, with an average of $6 per square foot. Most homeowners spend between $5.4 to $6.2 per square foot, while the cost of reinforced concrete can be as much as $9.3 to $10 per square foot.

From selecting the right seasonal plants to installing an outdoor kitchen, our landscaping services can do it all for you. Contact us today for a stunning landscape!

A concrete slab is a flat horizontal structure made of cast concrete that adds structure to modern constructions. It is a mixture of crushed stones and wet cement mix that harden as they form concrete.

Almost every new structure requires a concrete slab, whether indoors or outdoors. While concrete slabs may seem like a fairly simple structure, it costs, on average, $5,400, or between $3,600 and $7,200 for a 30-by-30-foot slab that is 6 inches deep.

The cost includes labor and materials.

How to calculate the cost of a concrete slab?

Concrete slabs typically cost between $4 and $8 per square foot. To calculate how much you’ll need, multiply your project’s length and width to get the square footage, and add 10% in case of spills and other losses.

The average cost by square feet of a concrete slab is given below:

Check with your local and state building codes as you begin planning, as different projects may have different requirements. For example, there can be reinforcement and thickness requirements that could affect the total price. Keep in mind that the concrete slab itself may not require a permit, but you may require one for the overall project.

Factors that determine the cost of concrete slab

Let’s see the factors that can affect the cost of concrete slabs:

  • Labor and equipment: The labor cost is around $2.5 per square foot.
  • Thickness: The thicker the concrete slab, the more you are expected to pay.
  • Base: Expect to pay around $65 per cubic square foot for a 4-inch aggregate base.
  • Materials: Materials such as rebar, wire mesh, vapor barrier may be required for your project to add reinforcement or control temperature and moisture.
  • Finish: The average cost to finish concrete is about $11 per square foot.

Let’s check them in more detail:

1. Labor and Equipment

Pouring the concrete, or slab flatwork is complicated and messy. From demolition work to reinforcement preparation to edging, each one of these tasks requires specialized equipment and expertise. Typically, the labor cost to pour concrete is around $45 per hour or about $2.50 per square foot.

2. Thickness

Thicker slabs require more labor and materials. Moreover, thicker slabs last longer as they are more durable and stronger.

The average concrete slab has a thickness of between 4 and 6 inches. A 4 inches thick concrete slab has an average cost of $5.4 per square foot, while a 6 inches thick slab has an average cost of $6.2 per square foot

Six inches thick slabs are used for commercial and residential building foundations. 8-inch slabs cost around $7 per square foot and are usually used on concrete driveways that need to bear the weight of heavy vehicles.

Creating thicker edges is also a way to provide reinforcement. For instance, concrete poured for a foundation to hold up the walls will be thicker around its edges. A slab with thicker edges, from 2-12 feet, will cost an extra $1 to $2 per square foot.

3. Base

The base is the layer between the concrete slab and the soil in concrete construction that provides support between the slab and dirt. Its purpose is to reduce settlement and slab cracking and encourage drainage.

The soil conditions, climate, and the purpose of the concrete slab will influence whether and what type of base is required. You can expect to pay around $65 per cubic square foot for a 4-inch aggregate base.

4. Material

  • You may require to add rebars to help reinforce the structure of concrete slabs more than 4 inches thick. The average price range for rebar is $1.40 and $1.85 per foot of material
  • If you want a cheaper substitute, wire mesh is more pocket-friendly and is also becoming popular for home driveway projects. Adding wire mesh will cost $0.35 per square foot.
  • Styrofoam offers insulation for concrete floors and helps make an energy-efficient space. Insulating the concrete can save you money on heating bills. Expect to add $0.50 per square foot for Styrofoam insulation.
  • A vapor barrier will prevent moisture from penetrating a concrete slab. If your concrete comes in contact with a source of moisture, it can destroy the adhesives in the concrete and result in bulging, swelling, or cupping. The cost of a vapor barrier is $0.50 per square foot.
  • Expect to spend an extra $900 for a mason if you have your project in a hard-to-reach area, such as a blocked pathway or a narrow fence, where the concrete truck may not be able to reach.  

5. Finish

Concrete is assumed to be gray, however, a mixture of dyes, stains, and other products can transform a slab. You can also provide concrete floors with finishing to give the appearance of slate, tile, or marble or improve their appearance with medallions, decorative stencils, or custom graphics. 

The cost range to finish concrete is around $4 to $18 per square foot. It can be more per square foot, depending on your chosen finish.

The average cost according to the finish type is given in the table below:

Concrete slab cost by region

Average concrete slab costs with low-end and high-end cost based on a few different U.S. states and major cities in Canada are given below:

Concrete Application

Your project will likely require more consideration. Below are some common concrete applications, like patios, driveways, and more.

  • Average cost of a Concrete Patio – $3100 for 400 square feet
  • Average cost of a Concrete Driveway – $3000
  • Average cost of a Concrete shed – $480 for 800 square feet

1. Concrete Patio 

The cost to install a new 400-square-foot concrete patio is $3,100. Stamped concrete is an attractive option for a patio. However, it will increase the cost. It is possible to pour concrete over an existing concrete patio, too, to increase the size. Ensure you don’t have cracks or issues caused by frost, as they could carry over if you don’t fix them. 

For building a patio as a landscaping feature, you can read the article – What are patios for landscaping 

2. Concrete Driveway

If you are having difficulty deciding between a concrete or gravel driveway, know that a concrete driveway costs around $3,000, or the cost range between $1,800 and $6,000. A gravel driveway costs only about $300 or, on the high end, about $60,000 for an extra-long driveway. The average cost for a 608 square feet gravel driveway is $1,500.

3. Concrete Slab for Shed Foundation

A concrete slab for a shed will cost around $480 for an 800-square-foot area with a 6-inch depth. Your shed’s foundation and materials will depend on the weight of the items stored inside and the shed’s size.

DIY vs. Hiring a Concrete Slab Professional

Installing concrete is a complicated job requiring specific equipment and expertise. You may save a thousand dollars on labor doing it as a DIY project. However, if the end result is a poor-quality driveway or an inappropriately reinforced floor, you will end up paying more to fix the problem. To avoid such situations, consider hiring a local concrete contractor to do this job perfectly.

To conclude, a concrete slab typically costs between $4 to $8 per square foot, with an average of $6 per square foot. Most homeowners spend between $5.4 to $6.2 per square foot, while the cost of reinforced concrete can be as much as $9.3 to $10 per square foot. Concrete applications include building concrete patios, driveways and much more.

Consider hiring Eden to install a concrete patio, driveway or more in your landscaping.

From selecting the right seasonal plants to installing an outdoor kitchen, our landscaping services can do it all for you. Contact us today for a stunning landscape!

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