Concrete slab cost per square foot
Typical national ranges are $4–$12 per sq ft installed, with most homeowners paying $4–$8. Some sources put a basic slab as low as $3 per sq ft, and reinforced slabs above $10. These are national figures, not Sacramento prices. Local quotes will vary.
| Slab type | Typical national range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pad, low end | As low as about $3 per sq ft | Shed pad, AC or equipment pad |
| Most homeowner slabs | $4–$8 per sq ft | Installed, broom finish |
| Wide range, one 2026 source | $6–$12 per sq ft | Installed |
| Reinforced or heavy-duty | Above $10 per sq ft | Thicker, with rebar |
| Patio slab | $5–$18 per sq ft | Plain to custom; see concrete patios |
| Removal of an old slab | $2–$6 per sq ft | See concrete removal |
A house slab-on-grade foundation is a different job with engineered requirements, and we do not publish a price for it. See concrete foundations.
Example slab sizes
Total cost is area times the per-square-foot rate. The table applies the typical $4–$12 national range to common sizes. It is arithmetic on national figures, not a quote.
| Size | Area | At $4 per sq ft | At $12 per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 10 ft shed pad | 80 sq ft | $320 | $960 |
| 10 × 12 ft shed pad | 120 sq ft | $480 | $1,440 |
| 12 × 12 ft slab | 144 sq ft | $576 | $1,728 |
| 12 × 20 ft slab | 240 sq ft | $960 | $2,880 |
| 20 × 20 ft slab | 400 sq ft | $1,600 | $4,800 |
Small slabs often cost more per square foot than large ones because mobilization and forming are spread over fewer square feet, and some contractors have minimums. Expect the low end of the range to be hard to find on a pad under 100 sq ft.
What drives the price of a slab
Thickness and strength
A 4-inch slab is the common minimum for residential use. Thicker slabs, or concrete rated for heavier loads, cost more. Residential flatwork commonly uses concrete in the 3,500–4,000 psi range.
Base prep on clay and hardpan
This is the line most likely to vary between Sacramento quotes. Sacramento County has widespread restrictive soil layers: cemented hardpan a few feet below the surface, claypans, and soils (Redding and San Joaquin series) with high shrink-swell potential. Foothill soils to the east are often clay, decomposed granite or shallow and rocky. Expansive clay and hardpan are common, so subgrade preparation matters. Ask the contractor how they will grade, compact and add base rock under your pad.
Reinforcement and joints
Control joints guide where the slab cracks. A common rule is spacing of 24–36 times the slab thickness in inches, so a 4-inch slab has joints about every 8–12 feet, cut at least one quarter of the thickness deep. A reinforcement plan, with rebar or other steel, adds cost. Ask what the quote includes.
Access and site conditions
A pad in an open backyard behind a locked gate costs more to pour than one next to a driveway. Slopes, tight side yards, tree roots and existing irrigation add labor.
Finish
A broom finish is the baseline. Smooth troweling, borders, color and stamping add cost. See stamped concrete.
Permits
Many small slabs, such as shed pads and at-grade patios, are exempt from a building permit when they are no more than 30 inches above adjacent grade. Setbacks and zoning still apply. The shed or structure that goes on the slab can have its own rules. Confirm with your city or county before work starts.
Hot-weather pours and curing
Sacramento's July normal high is about 93–94°F, with about 20+ days a year at 100°F or hotter. Hot weather speeds hydration and moisture loss from fresh concrete. Contractors manage this by pouring early, wetting the subgrade and keeping the slab moist for about 7 days while it cures. It is a normal part of a summer quote. If a quote ignores heat entirely, ask how they will protect the pour.
Slab cost vs. other flatwork
If your slab is going to become a driveway or walkway, see concrete driveways and the wider concrete cost guide. If you are replacing an existing pad, check concrete removal for demolition costs. For the physical build of a pad, see concrete slabs.
How to get a real price
Sacramento Crest Concrete is a referral service. It does not pour slabs or quote prices. Submit your size, location and photos, and it passes your contact information to independent contractors who work in your area. A contractor can visit to measure and quote. You contract with and pay the contractor directly. Requests cost nothing.
Verify the license at cslb.ca.gov. Flatwork is typically done under a C-8 Concrete license. A California home improvement down payment may not exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract, whichever is less. More in the FAQ.
Main guide: concrete contractors in Sacramento.