How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost? (2026)
A concrete slab costs $5 to $10 per square foot for basic installations, or $3,000 to $6,000 for a typical 400 sq ft patio or garage pad. Here is how thickness, finishing, and project scope affect your total.
| Cost Level | Per Sq Ft (Installed) | 400 Sq Ft Slab | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $5–$8 | $2,000–$3,200 | 4-inch slab, broom finish, wire mesh |
| Mid | $8–$12 | $3,200–$4,800 | 4-inch slab, rebar, smooth or exposed aggregate finish |
| High | $12–$20+ | $4,800–$8,000+ | Stamped or colored concrete, 5-6 inch thickness, decorative borders |
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How much does a concrete slab cost?
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Watch on YouTubeMaterial Cost Breakdown
Concrete is priced per cubic yard — one yard covers 81 sq ft at 4 inches thick. Understanding the per-yard costs helps you budget accurately.
Ready-mix concrete: $140 to $170 per cubic yard delivered from a batch plant (2026 pricing). This is the standard for any slab larger than about 50 sq ft. A 400 sq ft slab at 4 inches needs about 5 cubic yards — roughly $700 to $850 for concrete alone. Short-load fees of $30 to $50 per yard apply if you order less than the minimum (usually 3 to 5 yards). Use our concrete calculator to determine your exact volume.
Bag-mix concrete: $5 to $7 per 80 lb bag. Each bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet. You would need roughly 225 bags to pour a 400 sq ft slab at 4 inches — costing $1,125 to $1,575 and requiring enormous labor. Bag mix is practical only for small pads under 50 sq ft.
Gravel sub-base: $30 to $50 per cubic yard. A 4-inch gravel base under a 400 sq ft slab needs about 5 cubic yards — roughly $150 to $250. This provides drainage and prevents the slab from cracking due to soil movement.
Reinforcement: Rebar (#3 or #4, laid on 18-inch centers) costs $0.75 to $1.50 per sq ft ($300 to $600 for 400 sq ft). Wire mesh is cheaper at $0.40 to $0.60 per sq ft ($160 to $240) but provides less crack resistance. For garage floors and driveways, rebar is worth the upgrade.
Formwork: 2x4 or 2x6 lumber for forms runs $100 to $250 for a 400 sq ft slab. Forms can often be reused or salvaged after the pour.
Labor Costs: DIY vs Contractor
DIY cost: For small slabs (under 100 sq ft), bag-mix and hand tools keep costs to $4 to $7 per sq ft. For larger slabs with ready-mix delivery, you still save on labor but need at least 2 to 3 helpers to pour and finish before the concrete sets. Budget $2,000 to $3,500 for materials on a 400 sq ft slab.
Contractor cost: Labor adds $3 to $8 per sq ft depending on complexity. A basic broom-finish patio slab is at the low end; a stamped or colored decorative slab is at the high end. Most contractors charge a minimum of $1,500 to $2,500 for any concrete job regardless of size — so small pads cost proportionally more per square foot. A typical 400 sq ft patio slab runs $3,000 to $5,000 all-in.
Cost by Slab Type
Patio slab: 4 inches thick, broom or smooth finish. $5 to $10 per sq ft installed. The most common and economical option.
Garage floor: 5 to 6 inches thick with rebar and thickened edges. $7 to $12 per sq ft installed. The extra thickness and reinforcement support vehicle weight.
Driveway: 5 to 6 inches with rebar, often with control joints every 8 to 10 feet. $8 to $15 per sq ft installed. Driveways need expansion joints at the street and garage transitions.
Stamped or decorative: 4+ inches with integral color and pattern stamping. $12 to $20+ per sq ft installed. Stamping adds $3 to $8 per sq ft in labor for the pattern work and coloring.
Regional Price Variation
Ready-mix concrete prices vary by 15% to 30% across North America. The Southeast and Midwest are typically at the low end ($130 to $150 per yard), while the Northeast, West Coast, and remote areas run $155 to $190 per yard. Concrete prices also spike during the spring and summer construction season. Ordering in early spring or late fall (in regions with mild winters) can save 5% to 10% per yard.
Calculate Your Exact Materials
Concrete is not a material where you want to guess. Under-ordering means a cold joint (the visible line where two separate pours meet), and over-ordering wastes money. Use our concrete calculator to determine the exact number of cubic yards for your slab dimensions and thickness. The calculator accounts for the 5% to 10% waste factor you should build into your order.