How Much Does It Cost to Pour Concrete?

Poured concrete is a popular option for driveways, patios and even indoor floors because it's durable and versatile.

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However, it's also costlier than asphalt and other common materials. In order to stick to your project budget, you’ll want to know about all the costs associated with pouring concrete — including the hidden ones.

According to HomeGuide, the average cost to pour concrete is around $800 to $1,500 (CAD 1,080 to CAD 2,030) for a patio and between $1,450 and $3,350 (CAD 1,960 and CAD 4,530) for a concrete driveway.

Size is the primary determiner of how much it costs to pour a concrete slab. Measuring the size of your planned slab in square feet or cubic yards can help you estimate your project costs.

Per Square Foot

Pouring concrete costs around $2.80 (CAD 3.80) per square foot for a 4-inch thick slab, rising to $3.60 (CAD 4.90) per square foot for a 6-inch slab.

Per Cubic Yard

Concrete pouring companies rarely charge per square foot, although knowing the square footage is a handy way to estimate your outlay. Instead, they charge per cubic yard — a single cubic yard is enough to create a 3-inch slab that’s around 100 square feet in area. Prices per cubic yard vary by company and area, but you should expect to spend between $110 and $130 (CAD 150 and CAD 175).

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What Other Costs Are Involved in a Concrete Pouring Project?

The cost of pouring concrete often includes more than the price of the concrete itself and the labor fees. Furthermore, the cost of labor can vary significantly depending on where you live.

For example, most companies charge between $2.50 to $2.60 (CAD 3.40 to CAD 3.50) per square foot to pour concrete, or around $45 (CAD 60) per hour. However, pouring concrete in areas with high living costs is often more expensive because companies tend to charge higher labor rates.

Being aware of the factors affecting the cost to pour concrete and how much contractors charge for add-on services can help you avoid surprise expenses. Other factors to consider when estimating your project costs include:

Delivery Costs

Your bill may include the cost of delivering the concrete, although many companies charge an additional fee of around $60 (CAD 80). You may be charged more depending on how far you live from the distribution site. Delivery fees may also be higher if your yard or driveway is challenging to access.

Reinforcement

Your contractor may recommend reinforcing your concrete slab to make it more durable. For example, many professionals recommend reinforcing concrete driveways. Most installers use fiber mesh as standard, but you can add wire mesh for around 35 cents (CAD 0.50) per square foot.

Finishing

Applying a finish to your concrete slab allows you to create a variety of textures and color effects to suit your desired aesthetic. Epoxy finishes are a popular option for indoor slabs because they protect the concrete and make the floor more durable. Most homeowners spend around $4.50 (CAD 6.10) per square foot to apply epoxy, although solid epoxy can be more expensive.

Stamping is another popular option. Concrete stamping mimics the appearance of other materials, such as bricks or paving stones, and typically costs between $11.20 and $13.40 (CAD 15 and CAD 18) per square foot.

Some homeowners choose to paint or stain their concrete slab, and numerous color options are available. Expect to pay between $3.70 and $7.70 (CAD 5 and CAD 10.40) per square foot to stain a concrete patio, floor or driveway.

Sealing

You should always seal a concrete slab to protect it from the elements. Sealing concrete is a relatively straightforward DIY job; the materials cost around $4.50 (CAD 6) per square foot. Alternatively, you can have your installer seal the concrete for you. The average charge for professional concrete sealing is around $86 (CAD 116).

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.