Written by

Jennifer Carlson

September 13, 2024

Edited by

Kristen Cramer

Fact-checked by

Tom Grupa

Concrete slab cost

A concrete slab costs $6 to $12 per square foot on average installed, or $5,400 to $10,800 to pour a 30'x30' slab. Concrete materials cost $3 to $7 per square foot. Most concrete slabs are 4" to 6" thick and are used to build a garage floor, patio, or house foundation.

Cost to pour concrete slab by project

Concrete slab costs depend on the project and square footage. Projects like home foundations may require thicker slabs or steel reinforcement, while other projects like a simple patio are relatively straightforward.

Prices can be as low as $4 per square foot for the most basic projects and up to $28 per square foot for decorative stamped or stained concrete slabs.

Shed

A concrete shed foundation costs $600 to $4,800 with installation for a 10'x10' to 20'x20' slab. Most shed slabs are about 4 inches thick and do not typically require reinforcement or decoration.

Patio

A concrete patio costs $5 to $15 per square foot installed, or $1,000 to $6,000 total for a 10'x20' to 20'x20' patio. Many patios use a simple broom finish or basic texture, but prices go up to $28 per square foot for designs with multiple colors and decorative finishes.

Garage

A 2-car garage floor costs $2,400 to $6,900 with installation. Most 2-car garages are 20'x20' to 24'x24' and are made with reinforced concrete that is 4" to 6" thick. Like patios, garage floors typically have a basic finish.

Some homeowners add paint or other coatings to their garage floors. Epoxy floor coating costs $4 to $10 per square foot, depending on the type, design, and number of layers.

Driveway

A concrete driveway costs $4 to $8 per square foot with installation, or $1,600 to $6,400 total on average. Some concrete driveways have decorative colors, borders, stamped patterns, or finishes and cost $8 to $18 per square foot.

Foundation

Building a concrete slab foundation costs $6 to $14 per square foot or $12,000 to $28,000 total on average. Home foundations are typically 6" thick and have steel rebar reinforcements, vapor barriers, and foam insulation.

Concrete foundations are the cheapest type of home foundation and are the easiest to install and maintain. However, they tend to shift and crack in unstable soil or extremely cold conditions.

Concrete slab cost calculator

The price of a concrete slab depends on the quality of the concrete and the complexity of the project. Labor makes up 40% to 50% of the total project cost, while materials make up the remaining 50% to 60%.

The following factors may affect the total cost:

• Concrete grade – Concrete is graded on a scale, from M5 to M70. Higher concrete grades are more durable and stable but cost more than lower grades. Most residential projects use M10 to M25 concrete.

• Leveling or grading – The cost to level or regrade a yard is $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot, or $500 to $1,000 to even out a small yard or patio area.

• Accessibility – Installers may charge more for areas that are difficult to access, like crawl spaces or basements.

• Pad base – Gravel costs $1 to $3 per square foot or $10 to $50 per ton. Some large concrete projects require a gravel base to prevent shifting and cracking.

• Radiant heat – Adding radiant floor heating costs $11 to $25 per square foot for concrete.

• Reinforcement material – Large slabs and foundations may need additional reinforcement, like wire mesh, steel rebar, foam insulation, a vapor barrier, or thicker edges.

• Finishes – Decoration, curved edges, textures, and colors cost extra.

• Stamped concrete costs $8 to $19 per square foot installed, including pouring the slab.

• Stained concrete floors cost $3 to $15 per square foot on average, not including the slab.

• Polished concrete floors cost $3 to $15 per square foot, not including the slab.

• Concrete sealing costs $1 to $3 per square foot.

Labor

Concrete slab installers charge $3 to $5 per square foot for labor on average. This includes concrete form creation, which holds the materials in place while they cure. Any special equipment used for grading or pouring in hard-to-reach areas may increase labor costs.

Pre-cast vs. poured on site

Professionals sometimes use pre-cast or prefabricated concrete slabs for small, simple projects. This process allows for greater quality control and often costs less than building a frame and pouring a concrete slab on site. On-site pouring is best for large projects and custom shapes.

Thickness

Thick concrete slabs are more stable but require more materials and labor. Most slabs are 4 to 6 inches thick. Many installers charge by the cubic yard, which can cover 81 square feet of a 4-inch slab.

Cost to repair vs. replace concrete

Repairing concrete is faster and costs less than a full slab replacement. Concrete resurfacing costs $3 to $7 per square foot and involves removing the top layer, repairing minor cracks and flaking, and applying a thin overlay. A stamped or decorative concrete overlay costs $6 to $20 per square foot.

If your concrete has major cracks or structural issues, replacing it is the best option. Concrete removal costs $3 to $8 per square foot, including disposal. Removing a 10’x10’ slab costs $300 to $800, depending on the project type and how much rebar is inside.

Concrete slab FAQs

What is a concrete slab?

A concrete slab is a flat, horizontal surface made of poured concrete that is used to pave outdoor areas or support the weight of structures. Most homeowners use concrete slabs for patios, driveways, foundations, or garage floors.

When should I replace a concrete slab?

Consider replacing concrete if it is over 40 years old or if you notice:

• Large cracks

• Significant crumbling

• Sinking edges

• Warping or holes

• Pooling water or poor drainage

How long does a concrete slab last?

Concrete slabs last 30 to 50 years on average or over 100 years if properly sealed and maintained. Concrete tends to crack in colder climates where the ground freezes regularly. Driveways and patios that are exposed to the elements typically have shorter lifespans than foundations or garage floors.

How long does a concrete slab take to dry?

Concrete slabs take 1 to 2 days to dry enough for a person or pet to walk on it without leaving footprints. Wait 1 to 2 weeks before driving on concrete. After 28 to 48 days, the concrete is considered fully cured.

Can I pour a concrete slab myself?

You can pour a small concrete slab yourself as long as you plan and prepare. Concrete is hard and costly to remove once it sets, so be sure to measure and install your form carefully and make sure you have enough concrete before starting.

What's the difference between cement and concrete?

Cement and cement are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. Cement is made mainly of limestone and is an ingredient in concrete. Concrete is a mixture of sand, cement, water, and gravel. 

Getting estimates from concrete contractors

Before hiring a concrete contractor near you, remember to:

• Look for contractors who are experienced in pouring concrete slabs.

• Check out their HomeGuide and Google reviews.

• Choose licensed, bonded, insured companies that have been in business 5+ years.

• Get at least three quotes to compare.

• Avoid the lowest quotes, which usually indicate low quality work.

• Get an itemized contract and warranty in writing.

• Never pay in full before the job is complete.

Questions to ask

Ask these questions to find the best concrete slab contractor:

• How long have you been working with concrete?

• Do you have pictures of similar projects you’ve done?

• Can I get a line-item quote?

• What kind of site prep will this project require?

• How much concrete will I need?

• Should I use a pre-cast slab for this or build it on site?

• How thick does the slab need to be?

• Will we need to reinforce the concrete?

• What does it cost to remove an existing slab?

• Can you seal, stain, or stamp the slab? How much will that cost?

• How long will it take to fully dry?

• What kind of maintenance will the concrete need?

• Do you offer guarantees or a warranty? What does it cover?