
Between the endless customizations and decades of strength, the cost of a concrete driveway may be worth the investment. Let's break down your bottom line.
A concrete slab costs an average of $5,400, and most projects total between $3,600 and $7,200, depending on size, thickness, and reinforcement needed.
Pouring a concrete slab costs $6 per square foot on average.
Basic patios or walkways use standard concrete, which is more affordable but not as durable.
If you’re on a slope or pouring a concrete foundation, you’ll need thicker reinforced concrete.
You can DIY small concrete slabs, but larger projects are best left to the pros.
Decorative accents like stamping or staining are more expensive, but they can increase your ROI.
Pouring a concrete slab costs $5,400 on average. A concrete slab can range in price from as little as $600 for a 100-square-foot shed foundation to as much as $36,900 for a 2,000-square-foot home foundation. Prices will vary based on slab area, thickness, add-ons like reinforcement, and other factors.
On average, a new concrete slab will cost between $4 and $8 per square foot or $110 per cubic yard. You could pay as little as $4 per square foot for thin slabs used in a concrete walkway or sidewalk. On the other hand, you might pay up to $18 per square foot for a thicker and more complicated home foundation.
The cost will be determined by the mixture’s design and the slab’s size and thickness. Other factors—such as subbase preparation, forms, finishing, reinforcements, and the local price of concrete—can also affect concrete slab costs.
Concrete Slab Size | Square Feet | Average Cost |
---|---|---|
10x10 | 100 | $600 |
20x20 | 400 | $2,400 |
30x30 | 900 | $5,400 |
Meza Concrete is a great, reliable company. We had previously hired someone who didn't finish our patio, concrete slab for shed or Kirby pad. We contacted Ramiro Meza, and he responded quickly, gave us a reasonable quote, and he was ready to do the job. He had to tear out the framing that the first company installed. He framed the areas efficiently and within a week had the job completed. Meza Concrete did an excellent job with our concrete job. They cleaned up the property, and they were very professional. We could tell that Ramiro was very conscientious about his work, and he wanted to make his customers happy. We are very happy with the job Meza Concrete did. In fact, we will be using them for some spring projects we have coming up. We would highly recommend Ramiro Meza, with Meza Concrete. You will be happy you did.
Many factors affect the cost of pouring a concrete slab, including labor, the type of slab, size, and any extra add-ons or enhancements you choose.
Professionals use a few types of concrete for residential slab construction, and they vary slightly in price per square foot. The type of concrete that’s best for your project will depend on the load the slab needs to support, as well as soil conditions and climate in your area. Speak with a concrete professional near you to determine which type is best, and then use the table below to get an estimate for your total.
Type of Concrete | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Standard | $6 |
Rebar reinforced | $7 |
High-strength | $8 |
Fiber mesh | $10 |
The thickness of your concrete slab will affect pricing. Thicker slabs use more concrete per square foot, requiring more materials and labor to pour. How you intend to use the slab will determine the ideal thickness, which you can then use to estimate your total project cost.
Project | Average Thickness (In.) | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|---|
Patio | 4–6 | $6–$9 |
Walkway | 4 | $6 |
Sidewalk | 4–6 | $6–$9 |
Driveway | 4–8 | $6–$12 |
Foundation | 8–10 | $12–$18 |
Labor costs between $2 and $3 per square foot to pour a concrete slab, which includes the price of building or setting concrete forms, delivering and mixing concrete, and pouring the slab. On average, labor makes up between one-third and one-half of the total cost of your concrete slab project.
Concrete grade indicates the minimum compressive strength that a concrete mix (made from cement, sand, water, and aggregates) is expected to achieve after 28 days of curing. It determines the concrete’s load-bearing capacity and durability. Higher grade numbers signify more durable concrete, which comes at a higher cost.
It's important not to confuse this with site grading, which refers to preparing the ground to ensure a stable, well-draining foundation before installing a concrete slab. Site grading costs can increase if the land has a slope, trees, large rocks, or other obstructions. The grading process involves excavation, leveling, and then adding and compacting a subbase, such as sand or gravel.
The concrete slab’s finish—or the surface treatment you choose—also influences pricing. Standard finishes (such as broom and smooth trowel) cost less than decorative finishes (such as stamped, stained, or polished concrete). Here’s how some types of concrete slab finishes affect the cost, noting that prices also vary based on project size, location, and installer rates.
Concrete Slab Finish | Average Cost Range (per Sq. Ft.) |
---|---|
Broom finish | $1–$3 (or included in base price) |
Smooth trowel finish | $1–$3 (or included in base price) |
Exposed aggregate | $7–$15 |
Stamped concrete | $10–$18 |
Stained concrete | $8–$15 |
Polished concrete | $3–$12 |
Pre-cast concrete slabs often cost between $5 and $15 per square foot for standard applications, though specialized designs might cost at least $30 per square foot. These require minimal on-site labor, but delivery and installation equipment can add to your total bill.
Pre-cast components are often more affordable for designs with a high level of precision or repetition, like home foundations or sidewalk squares. Otherwise, a standard slab of concrete poured on-site might be more affordable; these cost between $4 and $12 per square foot.
Locations that are difficult to access, like build sites with steep slopes or numerous trees, can drive up your concrete slab costs. Using a concrete mixer is the most cost-effective way to deliver and pour concrete for your home. If that’s not an option, professionals must move and pour the concrete manually, which will significantly increase labor costs.
Most concrete slabs benefit from reinforcement to prevent cracking and improve structural performance. There are two primary types of reinforcement: fiber mesh and rebar reinforcement.
Fiber mesh involves mixing synthetic fibers into the concrete to help control surface cracking and shrinkage.
Rebar reinforcement—the standard option for structural slabs—uses steel bars placed in a grid pattern within the slab to provide strength and resist cracking.
Here’s how the option you choose will affect your pricing:
Reinforcement Type | Added Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Fiber mesh | $2–$3 |
Rebar | $0.50–$1 |
If your previous concrete slab is on the cusp between repair and replacement, consider the cost of concrete repairs overall. Filling minor cracks and resealing concrete costs as little as $0.20 per linear foot, while full concrete resurfacing costs $3 to $5 per square foot. Both repairs are more affordable than the $6 or more per square foot you’d pay to pour a new slab—not including the added cost of demolishing and hauling away the old one.
On the other hand, if you’re dealing with serious damage—such as unlevel concrete, sinking, or structural issues—concrete replacement might be a better long-term option.
Concrete slab pricing fluctuates by region. In the middle of the country, a concrete slab can cost around $5.35 per square foot. It might be as high as $8.50 per square foot in coastal states, including California and New York. Here’s how location affects concrete slab costs:
Location | Average Cost per Sq. Ft |
---|---|
California | $7.70–$8.50 |
Montana | $5.80–$6.40 |
Kansas | $5.50–$6.10 |
Maine | $6.70–$7.50 |
Texas | $5.30–$5.90 |
New Mexico | $5.80–$6.50 |
Florida | $5.90–$6.60 |
Kentucky | $5.20–$5.70 |
New York | $6.70–$8.50 |
What type of concrete slab you need depends on how you’ll be using it—for example, as a foundation for your home, to support an RV, or to define a backyard patio.
Keep in mind that prices will vary even within these categories. The cost of a concrete patio, for example, will total between $2 and $15 per square foot, depending on the type of finish. If you need additional drainage below your concrete, be sure to calculate the cost of adding sand or gravel under the slab.
Here's the average concrete slab cost by type of project:
Project Type | Concrete Slab Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost |
---|---|---|
Shed foundation | 80 sq. ft. | $480 |
Parking pad | 200 sq. ft. | $1,200 |
Patio | 450 | $2,700 |
Garage floor | 350 | $2,100 |
Driveway (1-car) | 240 | $1,440 |
Driveway (2-car) | 500 | $3,000 |
RV pad | 640 | $3,840 |
Mobile home foundation | 1,620 | $22,680 |
Home foundation | 2,050 | $36,900 |
While you’re budgeting for your concrete slab, you should consider any add-ons you might want to bundle with the project. Doing so could save you money in the long run. Here are some options to consider:
Stamped concrete finish: $2–$22 per sq. ft. (in addition to slab costs)
Concrete stain cost: $2–$25 per sq. ft. (in addition to slab costs)
Landscape lighting costs: $3,000–$6,000
Concrete sealant: $1.35–$2.50 per sq. ft.
Drainage system cost: $500–$18,000
Outdoor fireplace cost: $1,500–$8,000
Concrete steps cost: $600–$5,000
You can expect to save between $2 and $3 per square foot on labor if you tackle your concrete project yourself. You’ll need to learn how to make concrete and build forms, but for larger projects, the savings could be well worth the effort.
That said, pouring concrete is no easy task. You’ll need specialty tools, including a concrete mixer, grading equipment, and concrete forms, along with shovels, rakes, trowels, and fine brooms.
Working with concrete is also a lengthy process involving site preparation, forming, mixing and pouring the concrete, troweling, finishing, and curing. A professional job can take between 24 and 48 hours, while going the DIY route will likely stretch much longer. You also should consider whether you want to start from scratch or pour new concrete over old concrete.
Lastly, always consider the legality of pouring concrete yourself for different projects. For example, you will need a permit for installing a foundation, and you will likely need to hire a local concrete foundation specialist for the job.
If you're concerned about breaking your budget, begin by comparing concrete prices with other popular materials. Asphalt vs. concrete, for example, is a common dilemma, and depending on your area's climate, you can save some upfront costs by opting for asphalt. Your local concrete foundation contractor will also have suggestions for concrete variations depending on its application.
As for concrete slab cost savings, here are some ways to lower the price:
Stain, seal, and repair the concrete slabs yourself over time.
Research local concrete delivery costs before you begin, and consider buying bags of concrete and mixing yourself as an alternative for smaller jobs.
Speak with at least three different local concrete installation companies to compare estimates.
Consider the best thickness and measurements for the slab, and be careful not to over-order the concrete.
Keep the design simple and traditional. Forego special finishes and customization options to keep costs down.
Handle prep and post-project work yourself, such as landscaping, grading, and learning how to finish concrete.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Between the endless customizations and decades of strength, the cost of a concrete driveway may be worth the investment. Let's break down your bottom line.
Whether you’re planning on putting in a concrete driveway, patio, or staircase, use this concrete delivery cost guide to get an accurate estimate.
Knowing what types of concrete sealers to use on a driveway or patio can be challenging, but we’re here to help. Learn how they work and which one might be best for you.
Hiring a pro for any job takes some thought. This guide explains how to hire a concrete contractor so your home project is set for success.
Learn about how thick a concrete driveway should be and what factors affect the thickness before pouring concrete to ensure safety and durability.
Precast concrete can save you time and money on your construction project. Learn more about precast concrete to decide if it’s right for your project.