How Much Does a 40×60 Concrete Slab Cost? (Ultimate Guide)
If you’re planning to use concrete slabs in an upcoming project, it’s important to do your research when it comes to the cost. No matter what you’re building—whether it’s a back patio designed for cool hangouts or a smooth, new driveway—you’ll need to be aware of the potential price of materials and labor.
A 40×60 concrete slab costs an average of $14,400 at $6 per square foot. Professionals charge $7.50 per square foot of laid concrete on average. A slab for a patio costs an average of $4,000, and a concrete slab for a shed can cost as little as $480.
Follow along as we explore how much you can expect to spend on a 40×60 concrete slab.
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Exploring the Cost of 40 x 60 Concrete Slabs
How much is a concrete slab? While each project is different and will have various expenses, the average concrete slab costs per square foot around the nation is $6. As you shop around, you’ll probably see a range of about $4-8 per square foot, plus or minus added costs of extra materials and labor.
How much would a 40×60 concrete slab cost? For a 40×60 concrete slab that’s six inches thick, expect to pay between the range of $9,600-19,200. Depending on the provider or contractor, their concrete slabs price may include labor and materials. You may also see a price by cubic feet, which also takes into consideration the depth of the cement pour.
Consider the Cost of Labor
The cost of cement slabs will also depend on the condition of your worksite and how much preparation needs to be done in order to get the area ready for a pour. Soil, grass, and debris will need to be cleared away and leveled before any cement work can be done.
Some contractors may include the price of labor within their price per square foot, but others may give you two separate rates (the cost of concrete slab per square foot and the cost of labor per square foot).
Professionals may charge anywhere between $5.35-10.55 per square foot of concrete laid depending on the type of project and where you live. Some may even charge by a flat hourly rate.
If the added costs of labor make you consider doing the project solo, think again. If your concrete slab work requires any extra materials or equipment you don’t have, you’ll have to make a plan to get it. The professionals can help you out because they will already have access to the proper equipment and safety gear necessary to get the job done correctly the first time.
Types of Concrete and How It Affects Cost
When you’re thinking, “how much does a concrete slab cost,” you should definitely take into account the type of concrete you’re looking to have poured. There are a lot to choose from, and you can even create your own blend based on the type of aggregate you use and the ratios of cement, water, and aggregate you mix.
As you’re exploring the various types of concrete slabs, consider the pros and cons of each, as they all have ideal purposes.
Here are some of the most common types of concrete slabs:
- Self-consolidating concrete
- Glass concrete
- Decorative or stamped concrete
- Rapid-set concrete
- Reinforced concrete
- Limecrete
- Polymer or geopolymer concrete
- Pervious concrete
- Roll compacted concrete
- Asphalt concrete
- High-performance concrete
The cost of concrete slabs is also impacted by the grade of concrete. This will indicate the material’s strength—certain grades are better or required for specific uses. Explore some of the common grades of concrete:
| Basic concrete | The lowest grade, Basic is best used for walkways and patios or other surfaces that will not be exposed to extreme wear and tear. |
| Commercial-grade | This is the most traditional grade of concrete slab, as it’s sturdy enough for most general construction projects. It is not ideal for holding up an extremely heavy weight. |
| High-strength | This durable and strong grade is best for supporting heavy structures like a parking garage or building, as it can hold over 6,000 pounds per square inch (psi). |
If you’re unsure of what grade of concrete your next project calls for, talk to a professional mason for their recommendation. Similar to the various types of concrete listed above, the different grades can also be strengthened by altering the cement, water, and aggregate ratios.
The Cost of a 40×60 Concrete Slab by Project
Before you can answer, how much would a 40×60 concrete slab cost, you have to define the project. Because concrete is such a versatile and sturdy material, it allows builders to create projects of many different shapes and sizes. Thus, your concrete pad cost will heavily rely on what you need it for.
Consider the following benefits of concrete slabs when determining what you’ll use it for:
- It gives you added strength that can bear heavy weight
- It’s a stable enough material to use as a structure’s foundation
- It can withstand the pressure of vehicles, making it an ideal road surface
- It can be pretty tough against harsh weather conditions
What can I use a 40 X 60 concrete slab for? Check out some options:
Patio
When you’re laying concrete to build a patio, think about the costs of the material you need, as well as any finishing you add to the top surface. Some homeowners even add a design or stamp to make the concrete appear like stone.
This can cost anywhere between $1,300 and $5,100 for an average 288-square-foot patio. The final cost will depend on the materials and customizations you add to the project.
Shed
Building a shed can give you more storage in the back or side of your house, or it can provide you with a private workstation. How much does a concrete slab for a metal building cost? For an 8×10 shed, you can expect to pay around $480 for materials.
Your cost will vary based on the dimensions of your shed and how thick you need the foundation to be. Consider the weight of the things you’ll be storing in there. If you want to put away a tractor or other vehicle, you’ll require a thicker concrete foundation.
Driveway or Garage
Like your shed, the cost of materials and labor for your new driveway or two-car garage will depend on the thickness of your pour and the square footage of the space. To support cars and other vehicles without cracking or damaging the concrete, it’s recommended to pour a concrete slab about six inches deep.
This can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on where you live, whether you’re creating a whole new garage from scratch, and whether you plan to seal it with epoxy for a smoother and glossier finish.
Concrete Slab Cost Calculator
How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab? Our concrete slab cost calculator can help you hone in on a more accurate estimate. First, it’s important to consider the square footage of your concrete slab. Dimensions will vary based on what you’re building.
Next, consider how deep the concrete should be poured:
- 6 inches is a great depth for concrete that will be driven on by large vehicles or heavy equipment.
- 4 inches is a standard depth for most projects.
- 3 inches is acceptable to use where the slab will not be exposed to extreme sunlight or heavy weight (like a sidewalk).
Before mapping your slab and pouring concrete, read up on your local city ordinances and building codes to make sure your project is in compliance with the appropriate concrete thickness.
How much does it cost to pour a 24×24 slab of concrete? Explore this chart to find out the average prices of concrete slabs by size:
| Size of Concrete Slab | Min Average Cost (at $4 per square foot) | Max. Average Cost (at $8 per square foot) |
| 10×10 | $400 | $800 |
| 12×12 | $576 | $1,152 |
| 20×24 | $1,920 | $,3840 |
| 30×30 | $3,600 | $7,200 |
| 40×60 | $9,600 | $19,200 |
The final cost you’ll pay for your concrete project will be determined by:
- The depth of your pour
- The type of concrete you purchase
- The cost of labor
- Whether you need any reinforcements
- What type of finish you add to your surface
Prepping Your Site and Pouring 40 x 60 Concrete
Now that you know a little more about the cost to pour concrete, it’s time to learn some tips to get your 40×60 concrete slab built:
1. Prep the work area
Find the area you want to work on, then dig up and clear away grass, organic matter, and other debris. Get rid of anything that could cause an uneven finish in your concrete. Then, use stakes to create a perimeter around the working area. Finally, remove a layer of topsoil to prep the area and level the site. You’ll want to shoot for about four inches deep.
2. Dig your footing trenches
Next, you must dig your footing trenches. It’s most ideal to reach about 12 inches down and 16 inches wide as you shape your trench. Consider calling in an expert to inspect the condition of your soil to ensure its strong enough to hold your concrete base. If you’re working in an area with a climate with a lot of rain, you may want to consider building a foundation drain.
3. Install the forms
The temporary border that keeps your concrete in place while you pour and allow it to set
Best to use 2×6 boards that are placed and sealed tightly together
As the concrete sets, it will become heavy and create a lot of pressure, so you want to set up your forms so that it will withstand the material’s weight
4. It’s time to pour!
Your goal is to build a concrete foundation with a PSI rating of 3,000. Using fiber mesh reinforcement can help strengthen and support your concrete. Pour it evenly to a depth of about four inches, or thicker depending on what you’re building. Make sure to cover steel reinforcing bars completely and work closely to remove air bubbles or empty spaces.
5. Level and smooth
Screeding is the act of leveling the floor of your foundation by pushing concrete into any places that are underfilled. In the same vein, you can also use wood or metal floats to push down any lumps in your pour. Use a trowel to smooth out the surface. And, if you want to achieve a harder finish, you can compact the cement you poured.
Next, cut off any expansion joints and make sure to smooth the finish there as well. Then, let it cure. Once the process is finished, your concrete should become hard enough to walk on.
Related Questions
How are cement and concrete different?
Although these two terms are often used interchangeably, they are a little different. Cement is the ingredient, or paste, that is poured in order to make concrete. Cement may also be referred to more shallow pours like those of a sidewalk, and cement can be used in other construction materials.
What else can make the cost of concrete slabs go up?
The cost to pour a concrete slab will depend on the type and amount of work and extra materials you need. Here are some of the things that may make your total cost go up:
- Adding thicker edges to your pour
- Adding a vapor barrier under the slab
- Pouring a thicker layer of concrete
- Colored concrete
- Preparing the sub-base with wire-mesh
- Buying the concrete mix
- Cost of wood and rebar
Although cinder blocks are also used with cement paste, poured concrete is known to be a stronger and more durable building material to use as foundation. You may not want to use cinder blocks underneath a structure like a metal building. Also, poured concrete will not need waterproofing.
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Wrapping Up
As mentioned above, a 40×60 slab will cost roughly $14,400, based on $6 per square foot. However, this is just a rough estimate and may not be the final cost. Depending on your chosen contractor, you may have to pay additional for materials.
By following the steps above, from prepping the site to building your concrete foundation, you’ll be able to put your finishing touches on. Simply level the floor’s foundation and push the concrete into areas that are underfilled.
Once the foundation is level, you can finish it and let it cure. This way, you’ll be able to walk on it once it hardens, which will allow you to finish the project by installing the walls.
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