Don't Get Overcharged!
Here's my concrete slab cost for 2024

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.

How much does a concrete slab cost?

When estimating the cost of a concrete slab, the following five factors are crucial:

  1. Size of the Slab: The length, width, and thickness of the concrete slab directly affect the volume of concrete needed, which is a primary cost factor. Larger and thicker slabs will require more materials and potentially more labor.
  2. Material Costs: This includes the price of concrete and the costs associated with any reinforcing materials such as rebar or wire mesh. Prices can vary based on the type of concrete mix and local availability.
  3. Labor Costs: The complexity of the job and the local labor rates will significantly influence the overall cost. Labor costs might include preparation work, forming, pouring the concrete, finishing, and curing.
  4. Preparation and Foundation Work: The amount of ground preparation needed can impact the cost. This can involve excavation, leveling, compacting, and the addition of a subbase or vapor barrier.
  5. Finish and Detailing: The type of finish (e.g., smooth, brushed, stamped, colored, or decorative) can also affect the cost. More intricate designs and finishes require additional labor and materials.

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.

Basic concrete slab cost

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:

  • 3000 PSI Concrete with 3/4 aggregate
  • Concrete slab that's 6 inches thick
  • Fibermesh reinforcement in the concrete mix
  • Wire mesh reinforcement
  • 2 rows of rebar around the perimeter
  • Labor to set up forms using 2x6's
  • Labor to pour and smooth trowel finish the concrete
  • Sawed contraction joints (to help minimize cracking)
  • Spray or roll on a concrete curing sealer
  • Concrete Anchor bolts (if needed)

Those are the basic materials and labor included in the cost of a concrete slab.

the average concrete slab cost per square foot

SizeSquare FootageThicknessPrice Range
10’x10’1006"$850–$1,400
12’x12’1446"$1,224–$2,016
10’x20’2006"$1,700–$2,800
20’x20’4006"$3,400–$5,600
20’x30’6006"$5,100–$8,400
30’x30’9006"$7,650–$12,600
40’x40’16006"$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.

What does a concrete slab costHouse and Garage slab

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.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE "CONCRETE SLAB VS CONCRETE FLOOR"?

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.

Thinking of installing the slab yourself?

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.

What makes the cost go up

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.


Concrete slab formed and ready for pouringThe concrete slab cost for this 2000 SQ FT Slab was $24,000.00

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.


factors to consider that affect a concrete slab cost

  1. Concrete Grade: The strength and quality of the concrete, indicated by grades like M10 to M25 for residential use, impact cost. Higher-grade concretes are stronger and used for commercial projects, thus more expensive.
  2. Terrain Grade: Concrete work on inclined surfaces or areas where the ground needs leveling can increase costs due to the difficulty of working with heavy machinery on slopes and the extra work required to prepare the site.
  3. Finish: Custom finishes such as staining, stamping, sealing, or applying epoxy add to the cost due to the additional materials and labor involved.
  4. Labor: Professional labor costs around $50 per hour on average, but complex projects requiring demolition, removal, or hard-to-access pour sites may incur additional labor costs.
  5. Landscaping Costs: If the concrete slab affects yard layout, landscaping services may be needed to move plants or modify the terrain, which can be expensive.
  6. Reinforcement Materials: Wire mesh, steel rebar, and thicker edges for heavy-duty slabs increase strength and cost. Chemical additives can also strengthen the concrete mix.
  7. Foundation Requirements: House foundations may need styrofoam insulation and vapor barriers, adding to the overall cost.
  8. Repair vs. Replacement: Repairing existing concrete slabs may be cheaper than full replacement, but costs can vary widely depending on the damage's extent and the repair type needed.

Additional Considerations:

  • Environmental Factors: Expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, soil shifting, and obstacles like tree roots can lead to damage over time, affecting long-term costs.
  • Local Building Codes: Compliance with local regulations may require specific materials or construction methods, influencing the overall cost.
  • Accessibility: The ease of access to the project site for workers and machinery can affect labor hours and equipment rental costs.
  • Market Rates: Material and labor costs can fluctuate based on demand, supply, and regional economic conditions.
  • Project Timeline: Rushed projects may incur higher labor rates or expedited shipping costs for materials.
  • Waste Management: Disposal of excess material or demolished concrete can add to the project cost.

concrete slab training and cost estimates

Concrete slab cost

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!

Check out some concrete slab prices

How much does a 40' x 60' concrete slab cost?

How much does a 30 x 30 concrete slab cost?

How much does concrete cost for a 12 x 12 shed?

The 14 tools needed to build a concrete slab

Return from Concrete Slab Cost to Concrete Cost

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