How Much Does a 50×100 Concrete Slab Cost in 2024?

A concrete slab is a common structural element of most construction projects. As its name suggests, it is made of concrete and is ideal for creating flat horizontal surfaces such as floors, foundations, and roofs. A 50×100 concrete slab is of the right size for the flooring of barndominiums, pole barn homes, warehouses, and large garages. 

To know how much a concrete slab will cost, you must know its components and different characteristics. A concrete slab’s thickness, size, reinforcing materials, and special features will help you accurately compute its cost.

This article aims to help you compute a 50×100 concrete slab’s cost so you can prepare an adequate budget to complete your concrete slab. 

What Factors Determine the Cost of a 50×100 Concrete Slab?

Several factors affect a concrete slab’s cost, so it will be best to know about them. One of the most influential factors is size. Size is important because it determines the building materials you need to make a concrete slab. A large slab, like one measuring 50×100, will use many materials, driving the cost up. Large slabs are also more complex and take longer to make, so expect to spend more on labor expenses. 

The condition of the site also plays a pivotal role in determining cost. For a concrete slab to be effective, you need to make it on flat and level ground. An even site can also help improve a barndominium or pole barn home’s durability and stability. If the site is littered with rocks, weeds, and other debris, you need to clear it before pouring concrete.

A 50×100 or 5,000-square-foot concrete slab will occupy a large space, and you must clear the site. You can hire a professional to prepare the site to hasten the process, but this will increase your expenses. If the site is uneven, you might need to hire a contractor to bring in fill and ensure that you have a flat and even surface to work on.

How Much Does a 50×100 Concrete Slab Cost?

Let us now discuss the different characteristics of concrete slabs and how they affect costs. 

Per Thickness

Concrete slabs come in different levels of thickness. The thicker a slab is, the more expensive it is because it will require more materials. Although more expensive, a thick concrete slab is stronger and more durable. A thick slab is preferable if you expect the concrete slab to handle heavy loads. Examples are concrete slab floors for large barndominiums, workshops, and garages. The thickness of the slab will allow it to hold heavy loads without breaking, cracking, or deforming. 

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 is like cooking a meal. You need to use some tools, pieces of equipment, and ingredients, to make sure that you have a sumptuous feast. In making a concrete slab, you need a set of tools, pieces of equipment, and building materials. These are called inclusions. A reinforcing bar is an example of inclusion. 

A reinforcing bar or rebar has several benefits. For one, it helps give form to the concrete slab. More importantly, rebar amplifies the strength of a concrete slab. If you use many rebars on your 50×100 concrete slab floor, expect a higher barndominium cost per square foot. You can use wire mesh instead of rebars for concrete slabs that won’t have to support heavy weights, like concrete pathways. A wire mesh is cheaper but can also make a concrete slab 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

Depending on your floor plan or how you intend to use it, a concrete slab might need special features. These features can make a concrete slab more suitable for its use. For example, if you will use a concrete slab as flooring for a basement, using a vapor barrier is important. Basements are often damp and prone to leaks. Excess moisture can damage the items you have stored in your basement. It can also lead to wood rot that might weaken the structure of your barndominium. 

A dark and moist environment is also an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew. When left unchecked, the proliferation of mold and mildew can lead to health issues like allergies and respiratory diseases. 

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)

50×100 Concrete Slab Cost Breakdown

Let us now take a closer look at the breakdown of the costs of a concrete slab. 

Concrete Bag Cost Estimate

Concrete mix is the main material for making a concrete slab, costing $4.50 to $27 per bag ⁽⁹⁾. The cost of a concrete bag depends on the bag’s size and the type of concrete mix. 

Labor Cost Estimate

A concrete slab measuring 5,000 square feet is a major project that requires considerable manpower. Labor costs for a concrete slab are around $2 – $3 per square foot ⁽¹⁰⁾. These are just estimates, though, and can be higher depending on the qualifications of the contractor and the prevailing labor rates in your area. 

Truck Cost Estimate

Wet concrete costs $125 – $133 per cubic yard ⁽¹¹⁾. Some suppliers also add fuel surcharges of $40 – $50 per truckload, depending on your site’s distance ⁽⁸⁾. Ordering wet concrete might be more expensive than mixing concrete manually, but it can help you save time and let you finish your project on time. 

How Do You Calculate the Cost for a 50×100 Concrete Slab?

Now that you know almost everything there is to concrete slabs, let’s go ahead and start computing costs. We will present you with several price cost averages for computing a concrete slab’s cost in several ways. 

We first need to compute the amount of concrete you need to make a 50×100 slab. According to this calculator, to make a 6-inch thick 50×100 concrete slab, you will need 92.593 cubic yards of concrete. We will add 10% to this figure as a waste allowance, so the total volume you need is 101.85 cubic yards. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association placed the average cost of concrete at $137 per cubic yard, so 101.85 cubic yards of wet concrete will cost $13,953.45 ⁽¹¹⁾. 

You can also compute costs on a per-square-foot basis. We know that a 50×100 concrete slab equals 5,000 square feet. We also know that one square foot of 6-inch thick concrete costs $6.20 ⁽¹⁾. This means that your concrete slab will cost $34,100, inclusive of the 10% waste allowance. 

Should You DIY or Hire a Contractor for Your 50×100 Concrete Slab Project?

Even if you are a handyman, we recommend hiring a contractor to make your 50×100 concrete slab. It might be more expensive, but it will ensure your project stays on track. 

Conclusion

Concrete slabs can be expensive, and knowing how much a slab will cost is important. Knowing how much a slab will cost can help you prepare an accurate budget to ensure your construction project is completed on time. Knowing how to compute costs can help you avoid getting overcharged if hiring a contractor. Remember to like our Facebook page for more articles about barndominium financing, barndo insurance, and other informative pieces. 

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