Concrete slabs are an integral part of almost any construction project. They are versatile structures you can use as cheap flooring or foundation options. They are also ideal roofing alternatives if you want a building with a roof deck. A concrete slab measuring 60×60 or 3,600 square feet can be used as flooring for a barndominium, storage facility, or workshop.
To ensure that your construction project proceeds smoothly, you need to know how to compute a concrete slab’s cost. This can be tricky since it involves learning about concrete slabs’ characteristics and components. We aim to arm you with knowledge about these components so you can accurately compute a concrete slab’s cost and prepare a suitable budget for making your 60×60 concrete slab.
Table of Contents
What Factors Determine the Cost of a 60×60 Concrete Slab?
The most crucial factor you need to consider is the size of your concrete slab. The larger the concrete slab is, the more materials you need to complete it. Size can also influence the labor costs of a concrete slab. A 60×60 concrete slab will take longer to complete. It is also more complex, so the labor expenses will be considerable.
Your location can also affect the cost of the concrete slab. If you are building a barndominium or a pole barn home in an area with expensive building materials, expect the total costs to be prohibitive. Some areas also have higher labor rates, so building in such an area might be more expensive compared to a neighboring town or county.
How Much Does a 60×60 Concrete Slab Cost?
Let us now look at some of the characteristics of concrete slabs to understand how they affect a concrete slab’s cost.
Per Thickness
A concrete slab can be thick or thin. So, which one do you need? Load-bearing structures need thick concrete slabs. We’re talking about roof decks, garage floors, workshop floors, and driveways. Its thickness can help a concrete slab withstand excess weight without resulting in deformations, cracks, and breakage. However, a thick concrete slab uses more building materials, making it more expensive. A thin concrete slab is cheaper but can handle less weight than a thick slab. A thin concrete slab should do the job if you need a slab for use as a base for an outdoor grill or a garden walking path.
| Thickness | Cost per square foot |
| 4 inches | $5.35 |
| 5 inches | $5.80 |
| 6 inches | $6.20 |
| 8 inches | $7 |
Inclusions
Concrete slabs have what we call inclusions. You need these basic materials and tools to make a concrete slab. One example is a cement mixer. Using a cement mixer can help ensure you properly mix concrete to attain maximum strength upon drying. A cement mixer can also help save time so you can complete your construction project on time. Search for a local company that rents out construction equipment to rent a mixer for your 60×60 concrete slab. However, buying a cement mixer might be a more sensible alternative than long-term rentals if you have many construction projects planned.
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| 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
While most concrete slabs are bare, some have additional features to make them suitable for their purposes. For example, if your floor plan includes an outdoor kitchen or if you plan on building an outdoor pool, you might need to add special features to your concrete slab. For the outdoor kitchen, consider using stamped concrete floors. Stamping is a process that makes concrete look like wood, tiles, bricks, or marble. Using stamped concrete might mean you need more funds to finance your barndominium, but it will also increase the value of your property.
For the area surrounding an outdoor pool, exposed concrete aggregate is recommended. This type of concrete slab has its outer layer removed to expose the aggregate underneath it. Aggregates can be pebbles, smooth stones, or coarse sand. Aside from giving it a unique appearance, exposing aggregate also makes a concrete slab less slippery and safer to walk on, even when wet.
| 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) |
60×60 Concrete Slab Cost Breakdown
Let’s take a closer look at the breakdown of the costs involved in making a concrete slab.
Concrete Bag Cost Estimate
Concrete mix is the chief material you need to make a concrete slab, costing between $4.50 and $27 per bag (9). The difference in prices will depend on the type of mix you need and the size of the concrete bag you will buy.
Labor Cost Estimate
Contractors charge between $2 and $3 per square foot for making a concrete slab (10). These rates can vary depending on the contractor you hire since veteran contractors may charge more than less experienced contractors.
Truck Cost Estimate
If you plan on having wet concrete delivered, expect to pay between $125 and $133 per cubic yard (11). This is a more practical approach since there is no need to mix concrete, so you’re saving time and manpower. If your location is outside the supplier’s delivery area, there might be fuel surcharges of between $40 and $50 per truckload (8).
How Do You Calculate the Cost for a 60×60 Concrete Slab?
Now, we will teach you how to calculate a 60×60 concrete slab’s cost. You will see several price cost averages to help you compute the cost of a concrete slab in several ways.
Using this calculator, we know that 6-inch thick 60×60 concrete slabs need 66.667 cubic yards of wet concrete. We’re adding 10% as a waste allowance, so the total volume of concrete you need is 73.33 cubic yards. One cubic yard of concrete costs $137, according to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (11). This means that 73.33 cubic yards of concrete cost $10,046.21.
Another way is by computing costs using a per-square-foot basis. There is a total of 3,600 square feet in a 60×60 concrete slab. We know that a square foot of concrete that’s six-inch thick costs $6.20 (1). This means a 3,600-square-foot concrete slab costs $24,552, including the 10% waste allowance.
Should You DIY or Hire a Contractor for Your 60×60 Concrete Slab Project?
We do not recommend taking the DIY route in making a 60×60 concrete slab. Although it is more expensive, hiring a contractor can ensure that your slab gets done properly and is durable and free of defects.
Conclusion
Budgeting is a crucial part of any construction project. To prepare a proper budget, you need to know how to compute the costs of a 60×60 concrete slab. With the help of the computations outlined above, you can be sure that you have enough budget to make a slab without delays due to budget constraints. Be sure to like and follow our Facebook page for other articles about barndominium costs, barndominium insurance, builder reviews, and much more.
- How Much Does A Concrete Slab Cost In 2023? Homeadvisor.
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- What Are Common Rebar Prices for Concrete Projects? Angi
- How to Compare the In-Place Cost of Wire Mesh Versus Synthetic Fibers ABC Polymer Industries
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- Stamped Concrete Cost For Patios, Driveways & More ConcreteNetwork
- Concrete Floor Cost – What You’ll Pay For Polished Or Stained Concrete ConcreteNetwork
- How Much Does Concrete Cost? Angi
- How Much Does a New Concrete Slab Cost? Angi
- How Much Does It Cost to Have Concrete Delivered in Your Area? Fixr
- Ready Mixed Concrete Industry Data Survey. NRMCA
