Question 1

How much does a 12×12 concrete slab cost?

Accepted Answer

A 12×12 concrete slab (144 sq ft) costs $576–$1,728 installed. The low end ($576) is a plain broom-finish, 4-inch slab with no reinforcement. The mid-range ($1,080) includes wire mesh and standard finishing. The high end ($1,728) reflects a 6-inch reinforced slab with rebar. Most homeowners pay $800–$1,200 for a standard patio slab. Regional variation can add or subtract 20–30%.

Question 2

How much does a 2-car garage concrete slab cost?

Accepted Answer

A typical 2-car garage slab (24×24 ft, 576 sq ft) costs $2,880–$8,640 installed. Garage slabs require 6-inch thickness and rebar reinforcement to handle vehicle weight, which pushes costs higher than patio slabs. The national average for a 24×24 garage floor is $4,000–$6,000 installed. Add $500–$2,000 for the concrete apron at the garage door opening.

Question 3

What is the cheapest type of concrete slab?

Accepted Answer

The cheapest concrete slab is a plain broom-finish 4-inch slab with no reinforcement, poured with standard 3,000 PSI ready-mix. This runs $4–$6 per square foot installed. Costs increase with: 6-inch thickness (+$1.50/sqft), wire mesh (+$0.35/sqft), rebar (+$1.75/sqft), stamped finish (+$5+/sqft), and regional labour costs. For small pours under 100 sq ft, DIY with bagged concrete can reduce total cost by 40–50%.

Question 4

How many cubic yards of concrete do I need for a 10×10 slab?

Accepted Answer

A 10×10 ft slab at 4-inch thickness requires 1.23 cubic yards of concrete. Formula: (10 × 10 × 0.333) / 27 = 1.23 cu yd. For an 80-lb bag mix (0.6 cubic feet per bag), that's approximately 56 bags. Ordering ready-mix is usually more economical for pours over 1 cubic yard. Always add 10% waste factor when ordering.

Question 5

Why are concrete slab costs higher in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Concrete slab costs in 2026 are elevated due to: (1) steel tariffs that increased rebar prices 8–15% vs 2024, (2) elevated cement transportation costs in some regions, and (3) ongoing construction labour shortages in many US markets. National ready-mix prices average $120–$200 per cubic yard, up from $105–$175 in 2023. Getting multiple quotes is more important than ever — contractor pricing varies significantly.

Question 6

Do I need a permit for a concrete slab?

Accepted Answer

Permit requirements vary by municipality and project type. Garage floor slabs and foundation slabs almost always require a building permit ($50–$250). Patio slabs typically do not require permits in most jurisdictions if they're ground-level and under 200 sq ft. Driveway replacements may require a permit and a curb-cut permit from your city. Always check with your local building department before pouring — unpermitted work can complicate home sales.

Slab Size	Sq Ft	Low (basic)	Mid (standard)	High (reinforced)	Typical Use
8×8	64	$256	$480	$768	Shed pad, AC unit
10×10	100	$400	$750	$1,200	Small shed, hot tub
10×16	160	$640	$1,200	$1,920	Single car parking
10×20	200	$800	$1,500	$2,400	Small patio
12×12	144	$576	$1,080	$1,728	Patio / storage
12×16	192	$768	$1,440	$2,304	Small patio
12×20	240	$960	$1,800	$2,880	Standard patio
14×14	196	$784	$1,470	$2,352	Patio
16×16	256	$1,024	$1,920	$3,072	Medium patio
16×24	384	$1,536	$2,880	$4,608	Large patio
18×18	324	$1,296	$2,430	$3,888	Medium patio
20×20	400	$1,600	$3,000	$4,800	Large patio / small garage
20×30	600	$2,400	$4,500	$7,200	Large patio / RV pad
24×24	576	$2,304	$4,320	$6,912	2-car garage floor
24×30	720	$2,880	$5,400	$8,640	Large garage
30×30	900	$3,600	$6,750	$10,800	Large garage / workshop
30×40	1,200	$4,800	$9,000	$14,400	3-car garage / outbuilding
40×60	2,400	$9,600	$18,000	$28,800	Small commercial

4 inches	Standard patio / shed pad	$4–$8/sqft
6 inches	Driveway / garage floor	$6–$12/sqft
8 inches	Heavy loads / foundation	$8–$15/sqft

None	Small shed pads only	—
Wire mesh	Patios, light use	+$0.35/sqft
Rebar grid	Driveways, garages, foundations	+$1.75/sqft

Plain broom	Standard, most common	—
Exposed aggregate	Brushed / aggregate look	+$0.50/sqft
Stamped	Decorative patterns	+$5+/sqft
Acid stained	Colour + texture	+$3/sqft

Northeast / CA	CT, MA, NY, CA, WA	+20–45%
Midwest	IL, OH, MI, IN	At average
Southeast / TX	FL, GA, TX, NC	At or −5–10%

Concrete Slab Cost in 2026:
What You’ll Actually Pay

Concrete Slab Cost Calculator

Concrete Slab Cost by Size

Cost by Project Type

Key Cost Factors

Frequently Asked Questions

More Concrete Cost Guides

Concrete Slab Cost in 2026: What You’ll Actually Pay