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Homeowners, contractors and plants use the same words for different scopes. Before comparing two numbers, check which of the three each one is.
| Price you were given | What it usually includes | What it leaves out |
|---|---|---|
| "Pour only" or material price | Ready-mix delivered, sometimes placed | Forming, finishing, base, removal |
| Finished price | Material, placement, basic finishing such as broom or trowel | Base prep, demolition, pumps, decorative finish |
| Installed price | Preparation, forming, reinforcement, pour, finish, curing, cleanup | Permits, unusual access, structural repair |
The per-square-foot numbers on this page are installed prices. If a contractor quotes you a material-only figure, it will look dramatically cheaper and it is not the same job.
The table multiplies the installed range by the area. It assumes a 4-inch slab with normal access and a basic finish; thicker slabs, decorative finishes and difficult access sit above the top of the range.
| Slab area | Low ($6) | Typical ($9) | High ($15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | $600 | $900 | $1,500 |
| 200 sq ft | $1,200 | $1,800 | $3,000 |
| 400 sq ft | $2,400 | $3,600 | $6,000 |
| 600 sq ft | $3,600 | $5,400 | $9,000 |
| 800 sq ft | $4,800 | $7,200 | $12,000 |
Estimates, not quotes. Small jobs can price above the per-square-foot range because of minimum charges.
Two slabs of the same size can differ by thousands. These are the variables worth asking about, in the order they usually change the number.
Four inches is the common patio thickness; a driveway often goes to 5 or 6 inches. Going from 4 to 6 inches increases the concrete volume by half, so the material line rises in proportion even when the square footage does not change.
A slab on a prepared, compacted base is one job. A slab over soft soil, roots or an old failed slab needs excavation, hauling and new base material, which adds labour and disposal before any concrete arrives.
Mesh or rebar adds a material line and a labour line. It is normal for driveways and structural slabs and often optional for a small garden path.
A broom finish is the standard and the cheapest. Stamped, exposed aggregate, saw-cut patterns and stains each add labour, materials and time, and some need a specialist crew.
A slab the truck can reach directly is faster than one that needs a pump or a long wheelbarrow run. Small jobs also carry a minimum: the crew still has to mobilize for 100 square feet.
If the driveway needs 6 inches instead of 4, the volume becomes about 7.4 cubic yards before waste, roughly half again as much concrete. That is why the first question about any concrete quote should be the thickness, not the finish.
| Ask | Why it changes the comparison |
|---|---|
| What thickness is priced? | 4, 5 and 6 inch slabs are different jobs at different volumes |
| Is demolition and hauling included? | Removing an old slab can add a large line |
| Is the base included? | Excavation and gravel are often left out |
| Is reinforcement included? | Mesh or rebar is a separate material and labour line |
| What finish is included? | Broom is standard; stamped and exposed aggregate are upgrades |
| Who pulls the permit? | Permit fees and inspections are separate from concrete work |
| Is cleanup and curing covered? | Curing method affects the finish and the schedule |
The per-square-foot range on this page assumes a 4-inch slab. Thickness changes the concrete volume in a straight line: a square foot of 4-inch slab holds 0.333 cubic feet of concrete, 5 inches holds 0.417, and 6 inches holds 0.5. That is 25% more concrete at 5 inches and 50% more at 6 inches, before any change in labour or finishing time.
| Thickness | Concrete per sq ft | Increase over 4 inches | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 inches | 0.333 cu ft | baseline | Patio, walkway, shed base |
| 5 inches | 0.417 cu ft | +25% | Driveway with light vehicles |
| 6 inches | 0.5 cu ft | +50% | Driveway, heavy vehicles |
So a 6-inch slab is not "a bit more concrete". On a 400 square foot driveway, the concrete volume goes from 4.9 to 7.4 cubic yards. The labour line also rises a little, because there is more to place, screed and finish.
A basic broom finish is included in the installed range. Anything beyond it is a paid upgrade, and the size of the upgrade depends on the pattern and the crew.
| Finish | What it involves | Effect on price |
|---|---|---|
| Broom | Brushed surface for grip | Standard, included |
| Trowel | Smooth steel-trowelled surface | Small increase, more labour time |
| Exposed aggregate | Surface washed to reveal stone | Material and specialist labour |
| Stamped | Pattern pressed into the slab | Pattern mats, colour hardener, extra labour |
| Saw-cut pattern | Cuts scored into the surface | Extra cutting time and sealing |
Every decorative finish also needs sealing and maintenance, which belongs in the comparison. A cheap stamped job that needs resealing every few years is not cheaper than a plain slab over a decade.
Have a square-foot quote? Put it through the quote checker against typical prices for your area and slab size.
Check the quoteIt sits just above the typical figure in our October 2026 index, so it is fair for a standard 4-inch slab with normal access. Ask what is included: if the quote covers demolition, base, reinforcement and a decorative finish, $10 can be good value.
Yes, because volume rises with thickness. Moving from 4 to 6 inches adds about 50% more concrete, plus more labour and finishing time. For a driveway the extra strength is often worth it; for a garden path it usually is not.
Minimum charges. The crew, the truck and the finishing tools cost nearly the same to mobilize for 100 square feet as for 400, so the fixed cost is spread over less area.
If you want the look, yes; as a cost-saving substitute for pavers, compare the two installed prices first. Stamped concrete adds labour and a specialist finish, and it still needs sealing and maintenance.
It depends on the size, use and local rules. Patios and walkways often do not need one; driveways and structural slabs sometimes do. Call the building department and ask for the rule for your job.
The concrete volume rises by about 50%, so the material line rises by half, plus a little more labour for placing and finishing. On the same area, expect the installed price to move up noticeably, not slightly.
Multiply the area by the thickness in feet, then divide by 27. For 400 square feet at 4 inches: 400 x 0.333 = 133 cubic feet, and 133 / 27 = 4.9 cubic yards.
Enter the area and pick a finish to see the installed cost range.
Estimates, not quotes. Based on our October 2026 price index. See the full index.
Estimates, not quotes. Prices are set locally and change with the market.