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Concrete Slab Cost Calculator

None Wire Mesh (+$0.25/sqft) Rebar (+$0.60/sqft)

Cost Breakdown

Volume Required: 0 Cubic Yards
Material Cost (inc. 10% waste): $0.00
Labor Cost: $0.00
Reinforcement Cost: $0.00
Estimated Total Cost: $0.00

Understanding Concrete Slab Costs for Your Next Project

Planning a patio, driveway, or garage floor requires precise budgeting. Concrete is sold by volume (cubic yards), but labor and preparation are often calculated by area (square feet). This calculator helps bridge that gap by providing a comprehensive estimate for both materials and installation.

How to Calculate Concrete Volume

The standard formula for concrete volume is Length × Width × Thickness. Since concrete is ordered in cubic yards, you must convert your measurements:

  1. Convert thickness from inches to feet (e.g., 4 inches = 0.33 feet).
  2. Multiply Length × Width × Thickness (in feet) to get total Cubic Feet.
  3. Divide the total Cubic Feet by 27 to get Cubic Yards.

Pro Tip: Always add a 10% waste factor to your order to account for uneven subgrades, spillage, or slight measurement errors. Our calculator automatically includes this safety margin in the material cost.

Key Factors Influencing Cost

  • Slab Thickness: A standard walkway is 4 inches thick, while a driveway for heavy trucks may require 6 inches. Increasing thickness by 50% increases concrete costs by 50%.
  • Reinforcement: Wire mesh prevents minor cracking, while rebar (steel bars) provides structural integrity. Rebar is essential for load-bearing slabs.
  • Labor Rates: Depending on your region, professional finishing can range from $3.00 to $8.00 per square foot. This includes site prep, forming, pouring, and finishing.
  • Delivery Fees: Most concrete suppliers charge "short load" fees if you order less than 5 or 7 cubic yards.

Real-World Example Calculation

Suppose you are pouring a 20′ x 20′ garage slab (400 sq. ft.) at 4 inches thick:

  • Concrete Volume: 20 × 20 × 0.33 = 132 cubic feet. 132 / 27 = 4.89 cubic yards.
  • With Waste (10%): ~5.4 cubic yards.
  • Material Cost: 5.4 yards × $150 = $810.
  • Labor: 400 sq. ft. × $3.50 = $1,400.
  • Total Estimated: $2,210 (excluding site prep or reinforcement).
function calculateConcreteCost() { // Inputs var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('slabLength').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('slabWidth').value); var depth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('slabDepth').value); var pricePerYard = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pricePerYard').value); var laborRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('laborRate').value); var reinforcementRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('reinforcement').value); // Validate if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(depth) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || depth <= 0) { alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for dimensions."); return; } // Calculations var areaSqFt = length * width; var volumeCuFt = areaSqFt * (depth / 12); var volumeCuYard = volumeCuFt / 27; // Add 10% waste factor for materials var volumeWithWaste = volumeCuYard * 1.10; var materialCost = volumeWithWaste * pricePerYard; var laborCost = areaSqFt * laborRate; var reinforcementCost = areaSqFt * reinforcementRate; var totalCost = materialCost + laborCost + reinforcementCost; // Display results document.getElementById('resVolume').innerText = volumeCuYard.toFixed(2) + " Cubic Yards"; document.getElementById('resMaterialCost').innerText = "$" + materialCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('resLaborCost').innerText = "$" + laborCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('resReinforcement').innerText = "$" + reinforcementCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('resTotalCost').innerText = "$" + totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('concreteResults').style.display = 'block'; // Smooth scroll to results document.getElementById('concreteResults').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' }); }

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