True Cost Guide Outdoor Living Install Rebar

How Much Does Rebar Cost in 2025?

Typical Range:

$1 - $10

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated November 14, 2024

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Highlights

Carbon steel rebar costs $0.40 to $2.25 per linear foot, though specialized types and increased size can increase this cost.
Rebar diameter is measured in imperial bar sizes (the most common are #3 through #8). Larger bar sizes are stronger but more expensive.
There are several different types of rebar materials, each with unique pros, cons, and price points.
Rebar is separated by grade, with grades 40 and 60 being the most common.
You can reduce the cost of rebar by limiting the size, using repetitive bar lengths and cutting them to your needs, and choosing carbon steel rebar.

Rebar costs around $0.40 to $2.25 per linear foot for standard carbon steel, or around $0.50 to $1 per pound, which works out to about $1,300 to $2,000 per ton. Certain types of rebar can cost more—as much as $10 per linear foot. The price of rebar changes significantly depending on the size, type, grade, amount, and more.

Average Rebar Cost

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$2.25	$10	$0.40

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Rebar Cost Factors

Many factors impact how much you’ll pay for rebar, particularly the size, type, grade, delivery, and the amount you buy at a time.

Size

Size is one of the main cost factors to consider when budgeting for rebar for a patio, driveway, or other project. Rebar is sold in different imperial bar sizes, which is the standard way to organize rebar by size. Each imperial bar measurement increases by 1/8 of an inch. For example, #8 rebar would be 8/8 of an inch or simply one inch.

Rebar Size (Imperial Bar)	Description	Average Cost per Linear Foot
#3	Thin and cost-effective, used in roads, driveways, patios, and pools	$0.40–$1.25
#4	Thicker, used for concrete retaining walls, small columns, and driveways	$0.50–$1.75
#5	Used to add strength to foundations, small beams, and very large walls	$0.70–$2.25
#6	Used for retaining walls, roads, highways, and long ceiling beams	$0.90–$2.75
#7	Used for multi-story parking garages and bridges	$1–$3
#8	Used for heavy commercial projects	$1.25–$4.50

Type

The next cost factor to consider is the type of rebar you choose. Different materials have advantages and drawbacks, as well as varying price points. Some projects require a certain type of rebar, while others might offer more flexibility.

Rebar Type	Average Cost per Linear Foot
Carbon Steel	$0.40–$1.25
Stainless Steel	$4.50–$9
Galvanized	$1.20–$1.60
Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)	$0.65–$2.50
Epoxy-Coated	$0.40–$1.50
Welded-Wire Fabric (WWF)	$3.50–$10
Expanded Metal	$9–$35 per sq. ft.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is the most common rebar type for residential and commercial jobs. It’s cost-effective compared to its durability, offering suitable strength and lifespan for most projects. However, it might not be suitable for locations with high moisture levels, such as humid climates or near the ocean. Carbon steel rebar costs $0.40 to $1.25 per linear foot and is easy to cut, weld, and work with.

Stainless Steel

At $4.50 to $9 per linear foot, stainless steel is more expensive than carbon steel but offers enhanced protection against corrosion. This makes it a great option for projects in humid climates or anywhere with high moisture levels. Stainless steel rebar is virtually maintenance-free but more difficult to weld than carbon steel.

Galvanized

Galvanized rebar is a special kind of alloy steel rebar that’s dipped in zinc. This adds an extra layer of protection against corrosion, offering 40 times the protection of standard carbon steel rebar. Galvanized rebar also tends to be more durable during shipping and installation. It costs $1.20 to $1.60 per linear foot.

Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)

Also called fiberglass rebar, this material is specifically designed for areas frequently exposed to water, such as docks, jetties, piers, bridges, or construction in high-humidity areas. Fiberglass rebar never corrodes and has a higher tensile strength than carbon steel rebar. It’s also much lighter than steel, which saves money on delivery. GFRP is $0.65 to $2.50 per linear foot.

Epoxy-Coated

Epoxy-coated rebar costs $0.40 to $1.50 per linear foot and is designed for construction projects in high-humidity or high-moisture areas where corrosion is a major concern. The steel rebar is covered in a thick coating of epoxy, slowing corrosion for as long as the coating lasts. However, the coating is sometimes damaged during transport, which limits its anti-corrosion properties.

Welded Wire Fabric (WWF)

Unlike the other types of rebar, which are sold as individual metal tubes, welded wire fabric (WWF) rebar is a grid-like pattern of welded steel wire. It’s usually used to reinforce large concrete slabs to improve their tensile strength. WWF costs about $3.50 to $10 per linear foot.

Expanded Metal

Expanded metal rebar is similar to WWF, but this metal mesh has diamond-shaped lines rather than a square grid. Unlike WWF, which is welded together, expanded metal begins as a solid steel sheet, which is then cut and expanded to make the diamond-shaped grid. Costing $9 to $35 per square foot, expanded metal is often used for sidewalks and other walking surfaces.

Grade

Rebar is further separated by grade, which is used to measure the yield and tensile strength range of each grade of rebar. Yield strength refers to how much stress the rebar can take before it begins to permanently deform and bend, while tensile strength measures how much stress the rebar can take before it breaks. These stress limits are measured in kilopounds-per-square-inch (KSI).

The two most common rebar grades are 40 (40 KSI) and 60 (60 KSI), though you can also find grades 75, 80, and 100 for heavy-duty projects. Grade 40 rebar is the most common type used for residential projects, with stronger grade 60 rebar generally used for heavier projects like buildings and bridges. You can expect to pay as much as 40% more for grade 60 rebar than grade 40 rebar.

Delivery

Another common cost factor is delivery. Rebar is large, unwieldy, and heavy, and you’ll probably need a lot of it to complete your project. Delivery can often add a fair amount to your total rebar budget, depending on the quantity you buy and the distance it needs to travel. Check with rebar and local concrete contractors for an exact transport quote.

Amount

As with other materials, buying rebar in bulk usually results in discounts. How much you save depends on the current rate for rebar, the demand in your area, and the specific policies of the company.

Budgeting for Rebar

Rebar can significantly add to a project’s total costs depending on the size, grade, type, and amount you need. Here are a few ways to reduce the cost of rebar:

Limit size and grade whenever possible. Most residential projects can be completed with standard grade 40, #3 rebar.
If you need thicker rebar for reinforcement, consider a mixed order of #3 and #4 rebar rather than buying all #4, for example. You might still be able to negotiate a bulk discount.
Use repetitive bar lengths to reduce fabrication and placing costs (the standard bar length is 60 feet).
If you’re building an irregularly sized wall or slab, you can save money by buying stock-length bars and having them cut or spliced to size onsite.
Use the right type of rebar. Standard steel works for most applications, while galvanized, fiberglass, and stainless steel are best reserved for projects where corrosion is a concern.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of rebar?

Rebar is used to reinforce concrete and masonry, protecting them from cracking under the stress of heavy weight, earthquakes, or stormy weather. Rebar is commonly used for driveways, patios, walls, columns, foundations, footings, longer ceiling beams, and the bases of swimming pools.

How do you know how much rebar you need?

The best way to determine how much rebar you need for a project is to consult a concrete contractor and/or a structural engineer. They’ll do the necessary calculations to determine how much rebar is needed to ensure the project is stable, safe, and up to code.

Should I use wire mesh or rebar?

Wire mesh and rebar both reinforce concrete, but they have different applications. Rebar is stronger and best used for concrete poured more than five inches thick, garage slabs, pillars, and any high-traffic pavement. Wire mesh is best for slabs up to four inches thick, sidewalks, and non-load-bearing structures.

What’s the best type of rebar?

Choosing the right kind of rebar depends on your specific project. Traditional carbon steel rebar is the best option for most projects, thanks to its low cost and relative durability. The only time you might need something else is in areas with high moisture or humidity when corrosion is a concern.