Planning estimate for the cost of pouring a concrete slab — patio, driveway, garage, shed pad, or foundation. Includes a full material list, labor range, and a bid-check tool to sanity-check contractor quotes.
Enter your slab project
Includes labor, equipment, contractor markup, and permits.
Common projects
Project dimensions
Total area400 sq ft
10% standard; 15% for irregular pours.
Project type
Adjusts labor & material rates for your region.
Uses the first 3 digits as a planning zone (not exact local pricing). Overrides state average when matched.
Site & access
Your slab estimate
Estimated installed range
Calculating…
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Materials
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Labor
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Per sq ft
$0
Cost breakdown
Item
Quantity
Estimated range
Planning estimate, not a bid. 2026 planning ranges informed by published cost guides and supplier benchmarks. Always get 3+ local bids for accurate pricing.
What's not included: excavation deeper than 6″, underground utility relocation, decorative scoring/staining beyond the selected finish, second-coat sealing, drainage piping, and engineering or soil testing.
Bid check
Got a contractor quote? Compare it to the planning range. No contact details collected.
Quote per sq ft
$0
Range check
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Scope risk
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Add a quote amount to compare it against the current estimate.
Methodology & sources
What this is: a planning-range calculator informed by 2026 cost guides (HomeGuide, Angi, Concrete Network), NRMCA benchmarks, and U.S. government data. It is not a contractor bid.
Material pricing is from public cost guides (NRMCA-aligned ready-mix benchmarks, retail listings for rebar/mesh/vapor barrier). Real supplier quotes vary 20-50% from these planning ranges by region and season.
Crew labor is presented as a loaded billing rate ($70-$115 per crew-hour), not a raw wage. The range is informed by BLS OEWS occupation 47-2051 (Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers) wage data, then loaded with payroll burden, crew composition, equipment overhead, and contractor profit using industry-standard ratios.
Contractor markup is a planning band of 18-30% on installed projects, excluded for DIY materials mode.
Per-rate sources are stored in the underlying CSV with each row's source_url, source_date, region, and basis.
A standard 4-inch residential concrete slab costs $6 to $12 per square foot installed in most U.S. markets in 2026, with the national average around $8 per square foot. These are planning ranges — your local quote may sit anywhere within or slightly outside this band depending on regional labor, season, and quarry distance.
Project
Typical size
Installed cost (range)
Patio
10×10 (100 sq ft)
$700 – $1,400
Shed pad
12×16 (192 sq ft)
$1,300 – $2,500
Garage slab
20×20 (400 sq ft)
$3,400 – $6,400
Driveway
16×40 (640 sq ft)
$5,800 – $10,500
Shop slab
30×40 (1,200 sq ft)
$13,000 – $26,000
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cubic yards of concrete?
Multiply length (ft) × width (ft) × thickness (ft, divide inches by 12). Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add 10% waste.
Is a 4-inch concrete slab thick enough?
4-inch slab is correct for patios, walkways, and shed pads. Driveways and garages typically need 6 inches. Shop slabs and structural slabs need 6-8 inches and may require engineering.
Should I use rebar or wire mesh?
Wire mesh is fine for patios and shed pads. Rebar (#4 at 16″ O.C.) is recommended for driveways, garages, and any slab with vehicle loads.
Common mistakes & questions
Skip the gravel base — slabs heave and crack within 1-2 winters without a 4 in compacted base.
Order without 5% waste — concrete trucks don't come back for 3 cubic feet.
Forget rebar in driveways/garages — wire mesh alone isn't enough for vehicle weight.
Pour in the wrong weather — concrete won't cure properly below 40°F or above 90°F without admixtures.
Ask your contractor: PSI rating of mix, slump, base depth, control joint plan, curing method.
When this estimate is wrong
Hard access (rural, second-floor, no parking nearby) adds 10-25%.
Trip charge minimums — most contractors have a $200-$500 minimum, even for small jobs.
Local code (energy, hurricane, seismic, historic) can require upgrades beyond IRC default.
Disposal fees — landfill costs vary by state; tear-off jobs hit hard in CA/NY.
Seasonality — winter/early spring quotes are 10-20% lower than peak summer.
Supplier minimums — small material orders often add 10-15% over bulk pricing.
Permit timeline — permits add days to weeks; failed inspections add cost.
