Home › Concrete slab cost calculator · Updated November 3, 2026 · Sources
Concrete Slab Cost Calculator
Enter the slab size, then pick the finish and extras. The ticket shows a contractor price range and what the concrete alone costs if you do it yourself. Prices are 2026 US averages; type in your local prices to replace them.
Order options waste, bags, prices, gravel, rebar
Slab cost by size
Contractor installed at $4–$8 per square foot (plain) and $14–$22 (stamped); DIY is ready-mix only at $125 per cubic yard with 10% extra.
| Slab | Area | Installed, plain | Installed, stamped | Concrete only (DIY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft, 4 in | 100 ft² | $400–$800 | $1,400–$2,200 | $170 (1.36 yd³) |
| 12 × 12 ft, 4 in | 144 ft² | $576–$1,152 | $2,016–$3,168 | $244 (1.96 yd³) |
| 12 × 16 ft, 4 in | 192 ft² | $768–$1,536 | $2,688–$4,224 | $326 (2.61 yd³) |
| 20 × 20 ft, 4 in | 400 ft² | $1,600–$3,200 | $5,600–$8,800 | $679 (5.43 yd³) |
| 24 × 24 ft, 5 in | 576 ft² | $2,304–$4,608 | $8,064–$12,672 | $1,222 (9.78 yd³) |
| 30 × 30 ft, 4 in | 900 ft² | $3,600–$7,200 | $12,600–$19,800 | $1,528 (12.22 yd³) |
What each option adds
| Item | Per square foot |
|---|---|
| Base slab, installed (plain or broom finish) | $4.00–$8.00 |
| Wire mesh | $0.20–$0.35 |
| Rebar | $2.00–$3.00 |
| Stain or dye | $3.50–$7.50 |
| Stamped | $10.00–$14.00 |
| Stamped, multi-colour / elaborate | $18.00–$20.00 |
| Sealer | $1.00–$2.00 |
| Vapor barrier | $0.50 |
Not included: excavation and grading, permits, removal of an old slab, and pumping where a truck cannot reach.
How the estimate works
Installed = slab area × (base $4–$8 + finish + reinforcement + extras) per ft²
DIY concrete = cubic yards (with extra) × price per yard, or bags × price per bag
Budget example: 12 × 16 ft patio
| Option | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Contractor, plain or broom finish | $768–$1,536 |
| Contractor, with rebar | $1,152–$2,112 |
| Contractor, rebar + stamped + sealer | $3,264–$5,184 |
| DIY: ready-mix concrete only (2.61 yd³) | $326 + short-load fee |
| DIY: 118 bags of 80 lb | $742 |
What a quote should include
Ask each contractor to list site prep and grading, forms, the gravel base, reinforcement, finish, control joints, sealing and cleanup. A quote that looks cheap often leaves one of these out. Excavation, permits, removing an old slab and pumping are usually extra.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Pick the finish deliberately. Stamping adds $10–$14 per square foot; on this patio that is the biggest single line.
- Order the right amount. Short by a yard means a second delivery fee; the ticket includes a waste allowance you can adjust.
- Pour everything on one day. Separate small pours can each carry a short-load fee.
- Get two or three local quotes and compare them line by line against the ticket.
DIY: what else to budget for
The DIY figure on the ticket is concrete only. Also plan for form lumber and stakes, gravel for the base (turn on Gravel base in Order options), reinforcement, tool hire (mixer, plate compactor, bull float), sealer, and help on pour day: concrete doesn't wait.
Questions
How much does a 10 × 10 concrete slab cost?
About $400–$800 installed by a contractor for a plain 4 in slab at $4–$8 per square foot. The ready-mix concrete alone is about $170 at $125 per cubic yard, plus any short-load fee.
How much does a 24 × 24 garage slab cost?
About $2,304–$4,608 installed for a plain 5 in slab, before excavation, permits or a thickened edge. Stamped would be $8,064–$12,672.
How much is a yard of concrete?
About $125 per cubic yard on average, with $110–$165 typical, according to Lawn Love (October 2026). Orders under a full truck (8–10 yards) often carry a short-load fee of about $60–$110.
How much can I save doing it myself?
On a plain slab, labour, forming and finishing are a large part of the installed price. Compare the DIY concrete cost on the ticket with contractor quotes, and budget for forms, base gravel, tools and a finishing crew if the slab is large.
What makes a slab cost more?
Thickness, reinforcement, decorative finishes (stain, stamping), site access, excavation and grading, permits, and the distance from the ready-mix plant.
Are these prices accurate for my area?
They are US national averages from published cost guides. Local material and labour prices can be well above or below them, so use the ticket as a budget check and get two or three local quotes.
Guides: How thick should a slab be? · Bagged concrete vs ready-mix
Sources
Installed price per square foot and add-ons: This Old House, concrete slab cost (updated March 2026) and Inch Calculator, concrete slab cost. Ready-mix price, short-load fee and bag price: Lawn Love, concrete cost (updated October 2026). Bag yields: QUIKRETE Concrete Mix No. 1101.