Concrete work costs $700 to $10,000 per project in 2026
Concrete work costs $700 to $10,000 per project in 2026. Angi says pouring a slab costs $5,400 on average, or $4 to $8 per square foot. Size, thickness, finish, and site prep move the price the most. A plain patio costs far less than a stamped driveway. Lawn Love lists a national average of $2,925 for a patio. Get written quotes that list the size and the work.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Inch Calculator | Inch Calculator says a concrete slab costs about $4 to $10 per square foot, with a typical total of $3,600 to $7,200 and a range of $1,000 to $10,000. |
| Lawn Love | Lawn Love lists a national average of $2,925 for a concrete patio, with a typical range of $1,580 to $4,465. |
| Angi | Angi says pouring a concrete slab costs $5,400 on average, at $4 to $8 per square foot. |
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide says a 2 car concrete driveway costs $2,400 to $6,000, at $6 to $10 per square foot for a standard finish. |
Concrete cost by project
| Project | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Thin slab or walkway, per square foot | $4 to $8 | Angi |
| Shed pad, 80 square feet | $480 | Angi |
| 1 car driveway, 240 square feet | $1,440 | Angi |
| 2 car driveway, 500 square feet | $3,000 | Angi |
| Plain patio, per square foot | $4 to $9 | Lawn Love |
| Stamped concrete, per square foot | $8 to $26 | HomeGuide |
| 3 car driveway, 864 square feet | $5,200 to $13,000 | HomeGuide |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size | You pay by the square foot, so more area costs more. Angi lists an 80 square foot shed pad at $480 and a 900 square foot slab at $5,400. |
| Thickness and steel | A thicker pour and rebar add cost. Inch Calculator lists rebar at $2 to $3 per square foot and wire mesh at $0.20 to $0.30. |
| Finish | Plain gray concrete costs the least. Stamped or decorative concrete costs more. HomeGuide lists stamped concrete at $8 to $26 per square foot. |
| Site prep | Digging, grading, and removing old concrete add to the bill. HomeGuide lists removal at $2 to $6 per square foot and grading at $3 to $8. |
| Labor | Crews charge for pouring and finishing. Angi says labor runs $2 to $3 per square foot, which is one third to one half of the total. |
What the price includes
A basic quote covers forms, the concrete mix, pouring, leveling, and a simple finish. Extras often include digging, grading, rebar or mesh, sealer, and removal of old concrete. Inch Calculator lists sealer at $1 to $2 per square foot. Ask if delivery fees and permits are in the price. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Concrete crews are mostly local firms. Many bill by the square foot, and others give one flat price for the whole job. Angi says labor is $2 to $3 per square foot, which is one third to one half of the total. Materials and labor are often split on the quote. Some firms add a minimum charge for small jobs. Ask for a written quote that lists the size, thickness, finish, and prep work. Pay in steps, not all up front, and keep every receipt.
When you need this
You need new concrete when you build a patio, walkway, driveway, shed pad, or garage floor. You may also need it when old concrete is cracked, sinking, or unsafe. A pro can tell you if a repair is enough or if the area needs a full pour. Plan the work before winter or heavy rain, since weather can slow the job.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote list square feet, thickness, and the mix strength?
- Is rebar or wire mesh listed, with the price?
- Are digging, grading, and old concrete removal in the price?
- Does it say who pulls the permit and how long the pour must cure?
- Compare the total with the range above: $700 to $10,000 per project for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Keep the design simple. A plain finish costs much less than stamped or stained concrete, so skip fancy finishes unless you really want them.
- Ask the pro if sound old concrete can stay. HomeGuide lists removal at $2 to $6 per square foot, so keeping a good base can save money.
- Get three written quotes. Compare the price per square foot, the thickness, the reinforcement, and which site prep jobs are in each price.
- Do the easy prep yourself, such as clearing plants and moving furniture. That can cut the hours a crew bills you for.
- Ask about slow season rates. Crews may offer a better price when they have gaps between jobs, and mild weather is better for pouring.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Inch Calculator, Lawn Love, Angi and HomeGuide. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does concrete cost per square foot?
Angi says $4 to $8 per square foot for a slab. Inch Calculator says $4 to $10 per square foot with labor and materials.
How much does a concrete patio cost?
Lawn Love lists a national average of $2,925. The typical range is $1,580 to $4,465.
How much does a concrete driveway cost?
HomeGuide says a 2 car driveway costs $2,400 to $6,000. Angi lists a 500 square foot driveway at $3,000.
How much is concrete labor?
Angi says labor costs $2 to $3 per square foot. HomeGuide lists labor at $3 to $7 per square foot.
How much does stamped concrete cost?
HomeGuide lists stamped concrete at $8 to $26 per square foot. Inch Calculator lists $10 to $20 per square foot.