Cost to Pour a Concrete Slab: Per Square Foot

Cost to pour a concrete slab for a basic 4-inch patio, pad, or shed floor often lands around $6 to $12 per square foot installed in many U.S. markets, with plain slabs on easy sites at the low end and thicker or decorative work higher. Material is only part of the price. Site prep, forming, reinforcement, labor, and access often cost more than the concrete itself. Treat these numbers as rough planning figures and get local quotes.

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What makes up the price

Concrete. Ready-mix is priced per cubic yard, plus delivery fees and short-load charges for small orders. See concrete cost per yard.
Base and prep. Excavation, grading, and compacted gravel.
Forms and reinforcement. Lumber, stakes, wire mesh, rebar, or fibers.
Labor. Placing, finishing, cutting joints, and cleanup.
Access. Pump trucks or wheelbarrow crews add cost when the truck cannot reach.
Permits and removal. Some jobs need permits, and old concrete or sod removal adds cost.

Sample costs by size

Slab size (4 inches thick)	Area	Rough installed range at $6 to $12 per sq ft
10 x 10 feet	100 sq ft	About $600 to $1,200
12 x 12 feet	144 sq ft	About $860 to $1,730
20 x 20 feet	400 sq ft	About $2,400 to $4,800
24 x 24 feet	576 sq ft	About $3,460 to $6,910

Small slabs often cost more per square foot because contractors have minimum charges and short-load fees apply. See the short load fee for how that works.

Things that push price up

Thickness. A 6-inch slab uses 50 percent more concrete than a 4-inch slab.
Decorative finishes. Stamped, colored, or exposed-aggregate surfaces add significant labor.
Poor soil or slopes. Extra excavation, base, or retaining work.
Difficult access. Backyards behind fences often need a pump.
Rush season. Spring and early summer can be busier and pricier.

Ways to save

Pick a simple shape with a plain broom finish.
Combine projects so the truck delivers a fuller load.
Do the demolition or prep yourself if the contractor agrees.
Get at least three quotes with the same scope in writing: thickness, base depth, reinforcement, joints, and finish.

DIY vs hiring out

DIY can save labor on small pads, but a slab is unforgiving: once the truck arrives, you have a limited time to place and finish. Bagged concrete works for very small slabs, while larger slabs usually need ready-mix and a crew. Check the volume with the concrete calculator before pricing materials.

Bottom line

The cost to pour a concrete slab is often about $6 to $12 per square foot for a basic 4-inch slab, with small, thick, decorative, or hard-to-reach jobs costing more. Concrete, prep, forms, and labor all add up, so get detailed local quotes that spell out thickness, base, reinforcement, and finish.

Questions people ask

How much does a concrete slab cost per square foot?

A basic 4-inch slab often runs about $6 to $12 per square foot installed, depending on location and site conditions.

How much does a 12x12 concrete slab cost?

Roughly $860 to $1,730 for a basic 4-inch slab at typical rates, though small jobs may hit contractor minimums.

Why do small slabs cost more per square foot?

Contractor minimums and ready-mix short-load fees spread over a small area raise the per-foot price.

Is it cheaper to pour concrete yourself?

It can save labor on small pads, but tools, base, and finishing skill matter. Larger slabs usually need a crew.

What adds the most to slab cost?

Thickness, decorative finishes, difficult access, and extra site prep are common cost drivers.

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