How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost in 2024?

How to Calculate the Cost of Concrete Slab

The size of your concrete slab is one of the most significant factors affecting the total project cost. Larger slabs require more materials and labor, increasing the overall expense. Here's how size impacts cost:

How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost Per Square Foot?

Concrete slabs cost about $6 per square foot. To calculate the cost of your project, multiply the length by the width to find the square footage, then multiply by the cost per square foot. Remember to add about 10% extra to account for spills and other losses.

Before beginning your concrete project, check local and state building codes. Different projects may have specific requirements for thickness and reinforcement that can affect the total price. Keep in mind that while the concrete slab itself may not require a permit, a permit might be required for the overall project.

Concrete Slab Cost Factors

The key factors influencing the concrete slab cost include thickness, reinforcement, and finish. Proper budgeting is essential to account for these variables. Hiring a concrete professional ensures the slab is installed correctly and meets building codes, which can save time and prevent costly mistakes.

Labor and Equipment

Pouring a concrete slab requires specialized expertise and equipment, including demolition, preparation, reinforcement, and edging. On average, labor costs about $2 to $3 per square foot. 

Thickness

The thickness of the concrete slab affects the cost because thicker slabs require more materials and labor. However, thicker slabs are also stronger and more durable, which means they will last longer.

The average concrete slab is between 4 and 6 inches thick. At 4 inches thick, you’re looking at an average cost of $5 to $6 per square foot, while at 6 inches thick, you’re looking at $6 to $7 per square foot. Slabs that are 6 inches are used for residential and commercial building foundations, while 8-inch slabs cost about $7 to $8 per square foot and are commonly used on concrete driveways that need to withstand the weight of heavy vehicles.

Materials

In addition to concrete, your project may require materials for reinforcement or moisture and temperature control. Rebar, costing between $1.40 and $1.85 per foot, reinforces slabs thicker than 4 inches, enhancing strength and preventing cracks. (Although, some contractors may include the cost of rebar in their flat fee). Alternatively, wire mesh is a more affordable option and is commonly used for home driveway projects. Both rebar and wire mesh strengthen your concrete slab and help prevent cracks.

Accessibility

A frustrating cost that surprises most homeowners is a surcharge if the project is in a hard-to-reach area. If there is a narrow fence or blocked pathway, the concrete truck may not be able to reach it. Plan for extra labor costs if you’re adding a concrete slab to an area that’s difficult for your concrete professionals to access.

Finish

An array of stains, dyes, and finishing products can transform a plain concrete slab into a customized surface. Concrete floors can be finished to resemble tile, slate, or marble, or enhanced with decorative stencils, medallions, or custom graphics. The cost to finish concrete ranges from approximately $4 to $18 per square foot, depending on the finish you select.

Concrete Installation by Application

Your specific project will probably require additional considerations. Below are some factors to consider for common concrete applications, like slab foundations, sheds, garage floors, driveways, and more.

Monolithic Slab Foundation

A monolithic slab foundation costs between $7,000 and $20,000. The term "monolithic" refers to the single pour since a monolithic slab is created by pouring one large area of concrete all at once. Building with a monolithic slab is popular because it's faster and requires less labor than other foundations. Consult a residential structural engineer before making any decisions about using this type of foundation.

Concrete Slab for a Patio

The cost to install a concrete patio is $2,780 for a new 463-square-foot concrete patio. Stamped concrete can be an attractive option for a patio although it will increase the price. If there is an existing patio, it's possible to pour concrete over an existing concrete patio to increase the size. However, beware that if there are cracks or issues caused by frost, they could carry over if not resolved.

Concrete Slab for a Shed

When building a shed, it's important to approach the project with a solid plan. The shed's foundation and the materials used will depend on the shed size and weight of the items stored inside. Account for storage weight; a concrete slab for a shed costs about $480. That's for an 8-by-10-foot space with a 6-inch depth.

Concrete Garage Floor

It costs about $3,460 for a concrete garage floor for a typical 557-square-foot two-car garage with a 6-inch thickness. For extra protection, consider adding an additional sealant. The cost to coat concrete flooring with epoxy ranges from $1,500 to $3,150.

Concrete Driveway

A concrete driveway costs about $3,650 for a typical 608-square-foot driveway. You can expect to pay about $4 to $15 per square foot.

Concrete Parking Pad

A concrete parking pad costs about $1,200 for a 10-by-20-foot parking pad that’s 6 inches thick. Check local laws and ordinances before installing a parking pad as they’re not permitted in all cities.

Concrete RV Pad

A concrete RV pad costs about $3,840 for a typical 16-by-40-foot pad that's 6 inches deep. The size may need adjustment depending on the length and width of the RV and whether there are slide-outs.

Concrete Slab for a Mobile Home

A slab for a mobile home costs about $9,720. This is for a 1,620-square-foot mobile home with 6-inch thick concrete.

Types of Concrete

Take a look at the wide array of concrete types available for your project.

Modern concrete: It's the standard type of concrete for most residential projects, including driveways, patios, and sidewalks. It's a basic mix of cement, aggregate, and water that cures over several days to form a strong foundation. However, your concrete contractor may recommend other types of concrete depending on your project.

High-strength concrete: It’s appropriate when the structure needs to hold more weight than average, like a multistory house or heavy balcony. Typically, it can hold over 6,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

High-performance concrete: It’s a step above high-strength concrete. It can withstand 8,000 psi and performs well against frequent foul weather.

Ultra high-performance concrete: It can withstand over 17,000 psi without rebar. It's formulated with fibers and extra additives like limestone or quartz flour to make it extremely strong.

Stamped concrete: It’s a concrete that’s “stamped” to create patterns, resembling stone or brick. Stamped concrete costs are typically more expensive because it’s a multistep, time-intensive process. The concrete is poured, colored, stamped, and then left to set. It’ll typically require a sealer to maintain the pattern.

Glass concrete: It uses recycled glass as the aggregate to create visually interesting concrete.

Asphalt concrete: It’s a fast-curing concrete, used mainly in building roads and airports.

Permeable concrete: It allows water to pass through and is used in areas around storm drains.

Self-consolidating concrete: It doesn’t require a cement mixer and is mainly used in restricted and hard-to-reach areas.

Concrete Grade

The strength of concrete will vary depending on its composition, meaning the ratio of cement, sand, and aggregates in the mixture. The more robust and durable the concrete mixture, the more you can expect to pay.

When shopping for concrete, look for the letter M (for Mix), followed by a number. The number will tell you the ratios of cement, sand, and loose aggregate, which will all be mixed with water. For example, concrete labeled "M15" is 1 part cement to 5 parts sand and 10 parts aggregate. Concrete graded between M15 and M25 is appropriate for most residential uses. Concrete graded above M25 is used for commercial construction projects requiring greater strength.

DIY vs. Hiring a Concrete Slab Pro

Installing concrete requires specialized skills and equipment. While adding a concrete slab yourself may reduce labor costs, mistakes can lead to costly repairs in the future. Consider hiring a local concrete contractor to handle this complex work professionally, ensuring a high-quality result that meets all standards.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.