Concrete Cost Per Square Foot (Materials + Installation)
Concrete costs **$1-2 per square foot** for materials alone, but **$4-15 per square foot** when professionally installed. The massive gap between those numbers comes down to labor, site preparation, and whether you want a basic gray slab or a decorative finish.
Concrete Cost Per Square Foot (Materials + Installation)
Concrete costs $1-2 per square foot for materials alone, but $4-15 per square foot when professionally installed. The massive gap between those numbers comes down to labor, site preparation, and whether you want a basic gray slab or a decorative finish.
Understanding per-square-foot pricing helps you budget accurately and compare contractor quotes. Use our concrete cost calculator to estimate both material and installed costs for your specific project.
Materials-Only Cost Per Square Foot
If you're doing the work yourself, here's what the concrete itself costs:
| Slab Thickness | Materials Cost per Sqft |
|---|---|
| 4 inches | $1.00-1.50 |
| 5 inches | $1.25-1.75 |
| 6 inches | $1.50-2.00 |
These estimates include concrete only—not gravel base, forms, reinforcement, or tools. Add $0.25-0.50 per square foot for wire mesh or fiber reinforcement, and another $0.15-0.30 per square foot for a proper gravel base.
Example: A 200-square-foot patio at 4 inches thick costs roughly $200-300 in materials for a DIY project, not including rebar, forms, or tool rental.
Professionally Installed Cost Per Square Foot
When you hire a contractor, you're paying for labor, expertise, equipment, and guarantees. Here's what installed concrete costs by finish type:
| Finish Type | Cost per Sqft | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic gray (broom finish) | $4-8 | Driveways, utility areas |
| Colored concrete | $6-12 | Patios, walkways |
| Stamped concrete | $8-15 | Decorative patios, pool decks |
| Exposed aggregate | $8-14 | Driveways, patios |
| Polished concrete | $3-8 | Interior floors (existing slab) |
The labor portion typically accounts for 50-60% of the installed price. A contractor's quote covers excavation, gravel base, forms, pouring, finishing, and cleanup.
Cost by Project Type
Different projects have different requirements that affect per-square-foot pricing:
Patios
- Basic: $6-10 per sqft installed
- Stamped/decorative: $10-15 per sqft installed
- Typical size: 200-400 sqft
- Total cost: $1,200-6,000
Patios allow for more decorative options since they're not bearing vehicle weight. Stamped patterns that mimic stone or brick are popular upgrades.
Driveways
- Basic: $4-8 per sqft installed
- Decorative: $8-12 per sqft installed
- Typical size: 400-800 sqft
- Total cost: $3,000-10,000
Driveways require thicker concrete (5-6 inches) and proper reinforcement, but finishes are typically simpler. For detailed driveway pricing, see our driveway cost guide.
Sidewalks
- Basic: $4-8 per sqft installed
- Typical width: 3-4 feet
- Total cost: $6-12 per linear foot
Sidewalks are straightforward pours, but access and length affect pricing. Long, narrow sidewalks cost more per square foot than compact slabs.
Garage Floors
- Basic: $4-7 per sqft installed
- Typical size: 400-600 sqft
- Total cost: $2,000-4,500
Garage floors need proper slope for drainage and may require thicker concrete if you're parking heavy vehicles or equipment.
What Affects Cost Per Square Foot
Several factors can push your project toward the higher or lower end of these ranges:
Site preparation: Removing an old slab adds $1-3 per square foot. Significant grading or excavation adds $1-2 per square foot.
Access difficulty: Tight spaces requiring wheelbarrows instead of direct truck pour can add $1-2 per square foot in labor.
Reinforcement requirements: Wire mesh is standard, but rebar for driveways or structural slabs adds $0.50-1.00 per square foot.
Thickness: Every additional inch of thickness adds roughly $0.50 per square foot in material cost. For guidance on the right thickness for your project, see our concrete thickness guide.
Geographic location: Urban areas and regions with higher labor costs (Northeast, West Coast) run 20-40% higher than national averages.
How to Estimate Your Project Cost
Here's a quick formula:
Total Cost = Square Footage × Price per Sqft
Example calculations:
A 20×20 patio (400 sqft) with basic finish:
- Low estimate: 400 × $6 = $2,400
- High estimate: 400 × $10 = $4,000
- Budget: $2,400-4,000
A 12×24 driveway extension (288 sqft) with stamped finish:
- Low estimate: 288 × $8 = $2,304
- High estimate: 288 × $12 = $3,456
- Budget: $2,300-3,500
For precise estimates, use our patio cost calculator or driveway cost calculator.
DIY vs Professional: The Real Savings
Doing concrete work yourself cuts costs dramatically, but the labor is demanding and mistakes are expensive to fix.
| Project | DIY Cost | Professional Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×12 patio | $400-600 | $1,200-1,800 | $800-1,200 |
| 20×20 driveway | $1,200-1,600 | $3,500-5,000 | $2,300-3,400 |
The savings are real, but so is the effort. Mixing 40+ bags of concrete, building forms, and finishing before the concrete sets requires skill and stamina. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on DIY concrete vs hiring a contractor.
Getting Accurate Contractor Quotes
When comparing quotes, make sure each contractor is including the same scope:
- Site preparation (excavation, grading)
- Gravel base (typically 4 inches)
- Forms and removal
- Reinforcement (wire mesh or rebar)
- Concrete pour and finishing
- Cleanup and haul-away
Ask for itemized quotes so you can compare apples to apples. A quote of "$5 per square foot" that doesn't include demo of your old concrete isn't comparable to a "$7 per square foot" quote that does.
Get at least three quotes. Pricing varies significantly between contractors, and the lowest bid isn't always the best value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 20×20 concrete slab cost?
A 20×20 slab (400 square feet) costs $400-600 in materials for DIY, or $2,400-4,000 installed professionally with a basic broom finish. Stamped or decorative concrete can push installed costs to $4,000-6,000.
Is stamped concrete worth the extra cost?
Stamped concrete typically adds $4-7 per square foot over basic concrete, roughly doubling the cost. It's worth it if aesthetics matter—stamped patterns can mimic expensive stone or brick at a fraction of the cost. For utility areas like driveways or garage floors, basic concrete performs just as well.
How can I reduce concrete costs?
The biggest savings come from doing the work yourself (saves 50-60%), but that's not realistic for large projects. Other options include choosing a basic finish over decorative, scheduling during the contractor's slow season (late fall or early spring), and getting multiple quotes to negotiate.
Does thicker concrete cost more per square foot?
Yes. Each additional inch of thickness adds roughly $0.50 per square foot in material costs. A 6-inch slab costs about 25-30% more than a 4-inch slab. However, the right thickness for your project depends on what the concrete will support—don't skimp on driveways or areas with heavy loads.
Key Takeaways
- Materials alone cost $1-2 per square foot; professionally installed runs $4-15 per sqft
- Decorative finishes (stamped, colored) add $4-8 per sqft over basic concrete
- DIY saves 50-60% but requires significant labor and skill
- Always compare itemized quotes from multiple contractors
- Use a cost calculator for accurate project estimates
For more pricing guidance, see our concrete cost per yard guide or browse all concrete guides.