How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost? (2026 Guide)
How much does a concrete slab cost? Figure the concrete at $5–8 per sq ft, add 15–30% for labor and sub-base, and a 10×10 ft, 4 in slab lands around $690–$780 installed.
How concrete slab pricing works
Concrete slab quotes break into two pieces: the ready-mix concrete itself and the labor and sub-base around it. For a standard 4 in slab, the concrete typically runs $5–8 per sq ft of slab area, and the crew's work — forming, gravel sub-base, pouring and finishing — adds roughly 15–30% on top.
Every figure on this page is a regional planning estimate, not a bid: wages, aggregate prices and travel distances differ from market to market, so treat the totals as a budget range and verify them against local quotes before you commit.
Slab cost by size (4 in pour, $6 per sq ft)
The table prices the concrete at the middle of the band ($6 per sq ft) and the installed column adds the full 15–30% for labor and sub-base:
| Slab size | Slab area | Concrete at $6/sq ft | Total installed (+15–30%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 100 sq ft | $600 | $690–$780 |
| 12 × 12 | 144 sq ft | $864 | $994–$1,123 |
| 20 × 20 | 400 sq ft | $2,400 | $2,760–$3,120 |
| 24 × 24 | 576 sq ft | $3,456 | $3,974–$4,493 |
Read across each row: the material column is slab area × $6, and the installed column applies the band low and high. Check the largest pour — 576 × $6 = $3,456; × 1.15 ≈ $3,974 and × 1.30 = $4,493 — so the arithmetic is consistent all the way down. Prices stay regional; your concrete slab cost calculator run with local rates is the sharper number.
Worked example: a 10×10 ft slab
Start with the area: 10 × 10 = 100 sq ft.
Price the concrete at the middle rate: 100 × $6 = $600 of material.
Add labor and sub-base at the low and high end of the band: $600 × 1.15 ≈ $690, and $600 × 1.30 = $780 — so the installed estimate is $690–$780.
At the edges of the band the same 100 sq ft runs about $575–$650 at $5/sq ft or $920–$1,040 at $8/sq ft. Regional rates decide which end you land on — ask for local quotes, or let the concrete slab cost calculator total your exact dimensions.
Pricing tips that keep a slab bid honest
- Know what the rate includes — the $5–8 per sq ft typically covers the ready-mix concrete and the pour: forming, screeding, floating and a basic broom finish. Gravel sub-base prep, rebar or wire mesh, expansion joints and colored or stamped finishes are usually priced separately.
- Ask at least three crews for a quote — per-square-foot pricing varies with crew size, season and travel distance, and one bid can sit well off the local average; three quotes bracket the real market before you sign.
- Thickness changes the total — 4 in is the standard for walkways, patios and shed floors, but driveways and garage pads want 5–6 in with reinforcement. A thicker slab uses more concrete per square foot, so raise the material estimate (and the 15–30% band's top end) accordingly.
For a driveway or other reinforced pour, expect the installed price near the top of the range — a signal to get itemized quotes rather than a single per-sq-ft number.
Working out the pour yourself? The volume math in our guide to concrete for a 10×10 slab tells you how many yards to order, and how many bags of concrete you need per square foot covers mixing bags on site. All prices here are regional estimates — your local bids are the final word.
FAQ
How much does a 10×10 concrete slab cost?
Roughly $700–$800 installed. The 100 sq ft of concrete at $6/sq ft is $600; adding 15–30% for labor, forms and sub-base gives $690–$780, so most crews quote about $700–$800 for the finished pour including prep. A regional estimate — confirm with local quotes.
How much does concrete cost per square foot?
About $5–8 per sq ft of slab area for a 4 in slab, before labor and sub-base. The rate moves with your region, the slab thickness and how easy the site is for a ready-mix truck to reach.
Should I pour a 4 in or 5 in slab?
Pour 4 in for patios, walkways and shed floors on firm ground. Where vehicles drive — a driveway or garage pad — go 5–6 in with rebar or wire mesh, because the extra thickness and reinforcement carry the load.
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