How Much Does a 40×50 Concrete Slab Cost in 2024?

A concrete slab is a monolithic surface made of concrete. Construction projects often use them as floors, foundations, roofs, or driveways. A concrete slab measuring 40×50 is ideal if you need a floor for a barndominium. 

When estimating its cost, you need to consider several things, like how large the concrete slab is or how thick it will be. You also need to factor in any additional features you might want to add.

We aim to provide you with accurate information to calculate the cost of a 40×50 concrete slab. You can use these calculations to prepare a suitable concrete slab budget. 

What Factors Determine the Cost of a 40×50 Concrete Slab?

As mentioned, multiple factors determine the cost of a 40×50 concrete slab. The one with the most impact is the size of the slab. A large slab needs more building materials to complete. It also requires a longer time to complete because it is more complex than a small concrete slab. This means you can expect to spend more on labor costs making a large slab than a small one. 

The condition of the construction site also affects costs. A concrete slab requires a clear and even site to make it more stable and durable. What if the site is uneven and full of weeds, rocks, and other debris? You need to clear the site before making the slab. You can hire a contractor to handle the clearing process. The contractor must use fill to make the site level if the site is uneven. These are additional expenses that you need to consider when computing costs. 

How Much Does a 40×50 Concrete Slab Cost?

Let’s look at the different characteristics of concrete slabs. This is important because these characteristics affect the cost of a 40×50 concrete slab. 

Per Thickness

Concrete slabs can be thick or thin. Concrete slab floorings for barndominiums and pole barn homes need to be thick to support the weight of the entire structure. Use concrete slabs at least six inches thick to ensure they won’t crack, deform, or break. If you need a concrete slab for a garden walkway or footpath, a thin concrete slab should do the job since it only needs to support a person’s weight. Thickness is important because the thicker the slab is, the more materials it will use. Although more expensive, a thick slab is more durable, so you will get your money’s worth. 

Thickness	Cost per square foot
4 inches	$5.35
5 inches	$5.80
6 inches	$6.20
8 inches	$7

Inclusions

Making a concrete slab requires tools and materials. These are called inclusions. Think of them like the kitchen utensils and ingredients you use when cooking. An example of inclusion is a reinforcing bar or rebar. Using rebar can help provide a form to your concrete slab. A rebar can also help increase a concrete slab’s tensile strength. For thin slabs, you can substitute rebars with wire mesh. They have the same function as rebars but are cheaper. A wire mesh is ideal for making thin concrete slabs stronger.  

Inclusion	Cost
Site preparation	$1-$2 per square foot (2)
Concrete Rebar	$1.40 – $1.85 per 2 feet (3)
Wire Mesh	$0.28 per square foot (4)

With Additional Features

Although most concrete slabs are plain, some have additional features. These features can make concrete slabs more durable, versatile, or attractive. However, they can also make a concrete slab more expensive to make. A concrete slab floor is a cheaper alternative to tiles, granite, or wood. They can help bring down barndominium costs if you are working on a limited budget. However, you don’t want a rough, plain concrete slab floor; you can polish it to make it smooth and shiny. You can also stain a concrete floor to give it color. 

You can use stamped concrete if your barndominium’s floor plan has a patio or outdoor kitchen. Stamping can give concrete the appearance of wood, tiles, or bricks. Stamping can also give concrete texture, so it is not too slippery. Aside from making the concrete look more attractive, stamping can give concrete grip, making it safer to walk on. 

Features	Cost
Vapor barrier	$0.50-$0.70 per square foot (5)
Stamped concrete	$9 – $20 per square foot, inclusive of materials (6)
Stained concrete	$2 – $4 per square foot, staining only (7)

40×50 Concrete Slab Cost Breakdown

In this section, we will break down the cost of a concrete slab into individual components. This will help you better understand which components drive costs. 

Concrete Bag Cost Estimate

Concrete mix is your primary material in making a concrete slab, costing around $4.50 – $27 per bag ⁽⁹⁾. The price of a bag of concrete depends on its size and the type of mixture it contains. Note that the cost of a concrete bag also depends on your location and the prevailing inflation rate. 

Labor Cost Estimate

Labor costs can be around $2 – $3 per square foot ⁽¹⁰⁾. However, some contractors may charge more depending on the complexity of the slab. A 2,000-square-foot concrete slab is more challenging to make, so expect labor costs to be higher. 

Truck Cost Estimate

Mixing enough concrete to make a concrete slab measuring 2,000 square feet is an enormous feat, and we recommend ordering wet concrete instead. It costs around $125 – $133 per truckload ⁽¹¹⁾. Aside from helping you save time, it can also ensure that you use properly mixed concrete to make your slab more durable. If the site is beyond the supplier’s service area, there might be fuel surcharges of around $40 – $50 per truckload ⁽⁸⁾. 

How Do You Calculate the Cost of a 40×50 Concrete Slab?

Let us now compute the cost of a 40×50 concrete slab. We are providing several price cost averages that you can use to compute a concrete slab’s cost using several methods.

One way of computing costs is by using the amount of concrete you will use. Using this calculator, we know you will need 37.037 cubic yards of concrete to make a six-inch thick 40×50 concrete slab. We will add 10% to this figure as a waste allowance. This means that you will need a total of 40.74 cubic yards of wet concrete. A cubic yard of wet concrete costs $137, as per data from the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association ⁽¹¹⁾, so 40.74 cubic yards of wet concrete will cost $5,581.38. 

Another way of computing costs is by looking at the cost per square foot. We know that a 40×50 concrete slab has a total square footage of 2,000 square feet. We also know that a square foot of 6-inch thick concrete costs $6.20 ⁽¹⁾. This means the slab will cost you $13,640, including the 10% waste allowance. 

Should You DIY or Hire a Contractor for Your 40×50 Concrete Slab Project?

Hiring a contractor to make your 40×50 concrete slab is more practical. A contractor can complete the job faster so you can devote your time to other aspects of your construction project. Since a contractor is more knowledgeable in making concrete slabs, the contractor can also help ensure that you have a strong concrete slab that will last decades. 

Conclusion

Concrete slabs can be expensive, but it doesn’t mean you will just pay whatever amount of money a contractor quotes you. With the information we provided, you can accurately compute the cost of a concrete slab to ensure you are not spending more than needed. If you want to read more articles about barndominium financing, builder reviews, and design trends, make sure that you follow our Facebook page. 

References

1. How Much Does A Concrete Slab Cost In 2023? Homeadvisor.
2. Cost Of A Concrete Driveway ConcreteNetwork
3. What Are Common Rebar Prices for Concrete Projects? Angi
4. How to Compare the In-Place Cost of Wire Mesh Versus Synthetic Fibers ABC Polymer Industries
5. How Much Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost? Angi 
6. Stamped Concrete Cost For Patios, Driveways & More ConcreteNetwork
7. Concrete Floor Cost – What You’ll Pay For Polished Or Stained Concrete ConcreteNetwork
8. How Much Does Concrete Cost? Angi
9. How Much Does a New Concrete Slab Cost? Angi
10. How Much Does It Cost to Have Concrete Delivered in Your Area? Fixr
11. Ready Mixed Concrete Industry Data Survey. NRMCA