Concrete slab cost in 2026: per square foot & by size
A standard 4-in residential slab costs $6–$12 per square foot installed in 2026 — most projects land near $8. Materials are $3–$7 of that; labor $3–$5. Driveways (thicker, stronger, rebar) run $8–$20/sq ft, and decorative finishes reach $20–$30.
Installed cost by slab size
| Slab | Installed cost (4 in, $6–$12/sq ft) | DIY math |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $600–$1,200 | Run DIY numbers › |
| 12 × 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $860–$1,730 | Run DIY numbers › |
| 16 × 16 ft (256 sq ft) | $1,540–$3,070 | Run DIY numbers › |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $2,400–$4,800 | Run DIY numbers › |
| 24 × 24 ft (576 sq ft) | $3,460–$6,910 | Run DIY numbers › |
| 30 × 30 ft (900 sq ft) | $5,400–$10,800 | Run DIY numbers › |
Where the money goes
Concrete itself is the smaller half. A 20×20×4 slab needs ~5.5 yards of ready-mix — about $880 at 2026 averages. The rest of an installed quote is site work (grading, compacted gravel base), forming, reinforcement, the pour crew, and finishing — which is exactly the part that separates a slab that lasts 40 years from one that cracks in four. Skimping on base preparation to save on a quote is the classic false economy.
The DIY comparison, honestly: materials for that 20×20 run $1,300–$1,600 all-in (mix, base gravel, forms, mesh) against $2,400–$4,800 installed. The gap is real, but so is the job: 5.5 yards is a continuous two-to-three-person pour, finished on concrete’s schedule, not yours. Size yours with the slab calculator, price the base with the gravel calculator, and read the bags vs ready-mix crossover before deciding.
Installed ranges: Angi 2026 concrete slab cost data ($6–$12/sq ft installed, ~$8 typical; driveways $8–$20; materials $3–$7 / labor $3–$5; metro premium 20–40%). Ready-mix and bag prices: Concrete Network 2026 — full price table on the calculator page.
Common questions
How much does a concrete slab cost per square foot in 2026?
$6–$12 per square foot installed for a standard 4-in residential slab, with most projects landing near $8/sq ft. That covers materials ($3–$7/sq ft), labor ($3–$5), forming, and finishing. Driveways run higher — $8–$20/sq ft — for extra thickness, PSI, and rebar.
How much does a 20×20 concrete slab cost?
Installed: $2,400–$4,800. DIY: roughly $1,300–$1,600 (about $880 of ready-mix, $250–$450 of gravel base delivered, plus forms and mesh) — if you can handle a 5.5-yard monolithic pour with helpers.
Why do slab quotes vary so much?
Thickness and PSI, reinforcement (mesh vs rebar grid), how much grading and base work the site needs, access (wheelbarrow distance or a pump), decorative finishes (stamped/stained runs $20–$30/sq ft), and your region — coastal metros price 20–40% above the national middle.
Is it cheaper to pour a slab yourself?
Materials are roughly a third of an installed quote, so the savings are real — but concrete is unforgiving: one continuous pour, finished on the clock, with no do-overs. Under ~1.5 yards it is a reasonable DIY; a 400 sq ft slab is a hard day with experienced help; bigger belongs to a crew.