Concrete Slab Cost Calculator
Free concrete slab cost calculator. Get national price ranges for a 4-inch or 6-inch slab. Per-yard, per-square-foot, and total. Last reviewed Aug 2026.
National price ranges
Last reviewed: August 2026. These ranges are national mid-points for US residential work in 2026; your quote will vary by region, season, and access. Always get 2–3 local quotes before committing.
| Work type | Low | High | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-inch patio / walk | $6.00 | $9.00 | ft² |
| 6-inch driveway / garage | $8.00 | $13.00 | ft² |
| Ready-mix concrete | $150.00 | $200.00 | yd³ |
What changes the price
- Region — coastal metros and the West Coast run 20–40% above the national mid.
- Access — truck-mix delivery needs a chute path; wheelbarrow adds labor.
- Sub-base prep — excavation, gravel base, and forming all add to total cost.
- Thickness — doubling thickness almost doubles material and labor.
- Finishing — stamped, stained, or sealed finishes add $2–$8 per ft².
The concrete slab cost calculator figures the price of a residential concrete slab based on national price ranges (last reviewed August 2026). For a 4-inch patio, expect $6–$9 per square foot installed; for a 6-inch driveway or garage floor, $8–$13 per square foot. These are mid-2026 national mid-points — your actual quote will vary by region, access, and finish.
A 20×20 ft (400 ft²) garage slab at 6 inches runs $3,200–$5,200 for the slab alone (materials + labor), with a typical 3-car driveway running $5,000–$7,500.
What's in the cost
A residential concrete slab install breaks down roughly:
| Item | Share of cost | |---|---| | Ready-mix concrete (delivered) | 25–35% | | Labor (forming, pouring, finishing) | 35–45% | | Sub-base prep (gravel, excavation) | 5–15% | | Rebar or wire mesh | 3–8% | | Finishing (broom finish, sealer) | 2–5% | | Permits + inspection | 1–3% |
Most of the cost is labor and ready-mix. Concrete itself is cheap; the work to place and finish it is not.
What moves the price
- Region: coastal metros and the West Coast run 20–40% above the national mid. The South and Midwest are typically at or below.
- Access: a slab you can reach with a chute from the truck is cheap. A slab that needs wheelbarrows, a pump truck, or hand-carting adds $1–$4 per ft².
- Sub-base prep: a flat, well-drained site with no excavation is cheap. A sloped lot that needs cut and fill, a clay subgrade that needs 6+ inches of gravel, or a high water table all add to the cost.
- Thickness: doubling the thickness almost doubles the concrete cost. A 6-inch slab uses 50% more concrete than a 4-inch slab.
- Reinforcement: wire mesh is the minimum; rebar on a 12–18 inch grid adds strength for driveways. #4 rebar on 12″ centers adds about $0.50/ft².
- Finishing: a basic broom finish is included. Stamped, stained, polished, or exposed-aggregate finishes add $2–$8 per ft².
- Curing and sealing: a penetrating sealer adds $0.50–$1.00/ft² but extends the life of the slab significantly.
When to DIY vs hire out
A 4-inch 10×10 patio (1.23 yd³) is a 2-person weekend job if you've done it before. A 6-inch 24×24 garage slab (10.7 yd³) is firmly pro territory — too much concrete, too much forming, and the consequences of getting it wrong (cracking, heaving) are expensive to fix.
Rule of thumb: DIY under 2 yd³, hire a crew over 3 yd³. Between 2 and 3, it depends on your skill and how many friends owe you favors.
How to get a good quote
- Get 3 quotes from local concrete contractors (search "[city] concrete contractors")
- Ask for line items — concrete, labor, prep, rebar, finish. A quote that's a single number is a quote that's easy to overcharge on.
- Check references and visit a job they did 2+ years ago (so you can see how it aged)
- Ask about the concrete mix — residential is usually 4,000 psi; structural work needs 3,500+ psi. Verify the spec on the quote.
- Confirm short-load fees — concrete trucks carry 8–10 yd³. If your pour is under 6 yd³, expect a $50–$150 short-load fee on top of the per-yard price.
Estimate disclaimer
The price ranges above are national mid-points for 2026. They are not a quote. Get a real quote from a local contractor for your specific job before committing. Soil conditions, access, weather, and code requirements vary widely by site, and any of them can swing the final cost by 50% or more.