How to Use This Calculator
- Select your project type: patio, driveway, sidewalk, footing, foundation, steps, or demolition and removal.
- Enter your project's size. This changes depending on project type: area for patios and driveways, linear feet for footings, a step count for stairs.
- If applicable, choose a finish type. Stamped and colored concrete cost noticeably more per square foot than a standard broom finish.
- Choose your reinforcement level. Rebar costs more than wire mesh, which costs more than no reinforcement, but both add strength and crack resistance.
- Adjust the region cost level if you know your area runs above or below average for labor and material costs.
- Read your estimated cost range instantly, along with the rate used and a rough material versus labor split.
How We Estimate Concrete Project Costs
Every project type on this page uses its own cost-per-unit range, pulled from aggregated 2026 contractor pricing data, then multiplied by your entered size and adjusted for finish, reinforcement, and regional cost level.
Formula: Base Cost = Size x Cost per Unit (specific to Project Type); Adjusted Cost = Base Cost + Finish Adjustment + Reinforcement Adjustment; Final Range = Adjusted Cost x Region Cost Level Multiplier
Worked example: A 400 square foot plain concrete patio, with wire mesh reinforcement, in an average-cost region, works out as follows. At $8 to $12 per square foot for a standard patio, base cost is $3,200 to $4,800. Adding wire mesh at roughly $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot adds about $60 to $100. Total estimated cost comes out to roughly $3,260 to $4,900.
Cost by Project Type
Patios and driveways
| Project | Plain / Broom Finish | Stamped or Colored |
|---|---|---|
| Patio | $8 to $12 per sq ft | $15 to $25 per sq ft |
| Driveway | $8 to $16 per sq ft | $12 to $18 per sq ft |
| Sidewalk / Walkway | $7 to $17 per sq ft | $10 to $21 per sq ft |
A standard 2-car driveway (around 600 sq ft) typically runs $4,800 to $9,600. A 400 sq ft patio typically runs $3,200 to $4,800 for a plain finish, or $6,000 to $10,000 stamped.
Footings
Footings are usually priced per linear foot rather than per square foot, since their cost depends more on depth and width than surface area.
| Pricing Method | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Per linear foot | $5 to $9 per linear foot (average), with a wider range of $1.50 to $24 depending on footing size and depth |
| Per square foot (if quoted this way) | $3 to $7 per square foot |
A typical 150 linear foot residential foundation footing runs roughly $750 to $1,350.
Foundations
| Foundation Type | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Slab-on-grade | $6 to $14 |
| Crawl space | $8 to $18 |
| Basement | $35 to $50 |
A standard 2,000 sq ft slab-on-grade foundation typically runs $12,000 to $28,000 total. A comparable basement foundation runs significantly higher, often $70,000 or more, due to the extra excavation and structural work involved.
Concrete steps
A single flight of concrete steps typically costs $300 to $800, varying with the number of steps, reinforcement, and site access.
Demolition and removal
| Structure | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Unreinforced slab or patio | $2 to $4 per sq ft |
| Reinforced slab, driveway, or garage floor | $4 to $7 per sq ft |
| Urban areas (all structure types) | $6 to $14 per sq ft |
| Footing or wall removal | $5 to $16 per linear foot |
Removal cost also depends heavily on disposal distance and whether the concrete is reinforced with rebar or wire mesh, since cutting and hauling reinforced concrete takes longer.
Reinforcement Cost Add-Ons
Reinforcement doesn't just add strength, it adds cost, and it's worth budgeting separately from your base concrete price.
- Wire mesh: adds roughly $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot, suited to patios, sidewalks, and light-duty slabs.
- Rebar: adds roughly $1.40 to $4.00 per square foot, recommended for driveways, foundations, and anything supporting significant weight.
Why Quotes Vary So Much
If you're comparing this estimate to contractor quotes and seeing a wide spread, a few factors typically explain the gap.
- Site preparation: excavation, grading, and a compacted gravel base add cost beyond the concrete itself, especially on sloped or poorly draining sites.
- Access: tight backyard access or a long carry distance from the truck to the pour site slows the crew down and raises labor cost.
- Project size: smaller projects often cost more per square foot than larger ones, since mobilization costs (equipment, crew, delivery) are largely fixed regardless of size.
- Removal of existing concrete: if you're replacing rather than adding new concrete, tear-out and disposal of the old slab adds a separate cost layer on top of the new pour.
- Region: labor rates vary significantly by area, which is what the Region Cost Level setting above adjusts for.
Tips for Budgeting
- Get at least three written quotes before committing to a contractor, and compare what's actually included, not just the bottom-line number.
- Ask directly about rebar, gravel base, and sealing. A quote that's noticeably cheaper than others often means one of these is being skipped.
- Budget removal separately from replacement if you're tearing out an old slab or driveway. It's frequently underestimated as a line item.
- Factor in permits. Many foundation, footing, and larger driveway projects require a building permit, typically $50 to $300, which isn't always included in a contractor's initial quote.
- Expect a premium for stamped or colored finishes, typically $5 to $10 more per square foot than plain concrete, for the additional labor and materials involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a concrete driveway cost?
A standard concrete driveway typically costs $8 to $16 per square foot, or roughly $4,800 to $9,600 for an average 2-car driveway around 600 square feet.
How much does a concrete patio cost?
A plain, broom-finished patio typically costs $8 to $12 per square foot. Stamped or colored patios run considerably higher, around $15 to $25 per square foot.
How much does a concrete footing cost?
Footings are usually priced per linear foot, averaging $5 to $9 per linear foot, though the range can run from $1.50 to $24 depending on the footing's size and depth.
How much does a concrete foundation cost?
It depends heavily on foundation type. A slab-on-grade foundation typically costs $6 to $14 per square foot, a crawl space $8 to $18 per square foot, and a full basement foundation $35 to $50 per square foot.
How much does it cost to remove and demolish concrete?
Unreinforced slabs typically cost $2 to $4 per square foot to remove. Reinforced concrete, such as driveways or garage floors, runs $4 to $7 per square foot, and urban removal jobs can reach $6 to $14 per square foot due to higher labor and disposal costs.
How much does stamped concrete cost?
Stamped concrete typically costs $5 to $10 more per square foot than plain concrete, landing around $15 to $25 per square foot installed for most residential patios and driveways.
How much does a concrete sidewalk cost?
A standard concrete sidewalk or walkway typically costs $7 to $17 per square foot, depending on thickness, reinforcement, and finish.
How much does it cost to add rebar or wire mesh to a project?
Wire mesh adds roughly $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot. Rebar adds significantly more, typically $1.40 to $4.00 per square foot, but provides much stronger crack resistance for driveways and foundations.
What's included in a typical concrete cost estimate?
Most quotes include materials, labor, forming, and finishing. Site preparation, permits, old concrete removal, and sealing are sometimes quoted separately, so it's worth confirming exactly what's included before comparing bids.
How much does it cost to remove and replace a driveway?
Combined removal and replacement typically costs more than either job alone, often landing around $11 to $12 per square foot total once tear-out, disposal, and the new pour are all factored in.
Does this calculator work in UK pricing?
Yes. Switch to UK units to see cost estimates in pounds sterling, using comparable UK contractor pricing data.
Get Quotes from Local Contractors
While this calculator gives you a solid budgeting estimate, actual pricing depends on your specific site, local labor rates, and contractor availability. For an exact quote, compare bids from licensed concrete contractors in your area.