24×40 Concrete Slab Cost | Pricing Important Factors

If you are planning on building a barndominium, you are likely thinking of pouring a concrete slab. A slab foundation offers a sturdy base for the frame of your barndominium. It is also an important part of your budget.

Before getting a loan, you may need to know how much a 24×40 concrete slab costs.

A 24×40-foot concrete slab covers 960 square feet. The average price of a concrete slab is $4 to $8 per square foot. The median price is $6. Based on the average prices, a 24×40 concrete slab may cost $3,840 to $7,680.

Not all concrete slabs include the same features. Use the following information to estimate the concrete slab costs for preparing the foundation for your barndominium.

What Does the Typical 24×40 Concrete Slab Include?

To understand the potential cost of a concrete slab, you first need to understand what the average slab includes. For about $6 per square foot, you can expect the following features and details:

• 3,000 PSI concrete poured to a thickness of six inches
• 2×6 wood boards to create a wood form for holding the concrete
• Rebar lining the perimeter for increased strength
• Fiber mesh material for enhanced durability
• A contractor, labor, and equipment

Variations to the standard features may increase or lower the total cost of pouring a concrete slab. Pay attention to the following to estimate your costs more accurately:

• The thickness of the concrete slab
• The inclusion of special features
• The region where you live
• Extra site preparation work

The region where you live can impact the cost of materials and labor. You may pay a little more in the Western and Northeastern states compared to the South and the Midwest.

Site preparation is another consideration. Some land may require extra work before pouring a concrete slab, which can increase the cost of getting started on your barndominium.

Average 24×40 Concrete Slab Cost of Different Thicknesses

The thickness of the concrete slab largely influences the cost of materials. Here is a quick look at the base cost of concrete slabs of different thicknesses:

• Four-inch slab – $2.83 per square foot
• Five-inch slab – $3.20 per square foot
• Six-inch slab – $3.57 per square foot

Most concrete foundations are six inches thick. However, a four-inch or five-inch slab may work in certain situations. Adding extra reinforcement or thicker edges can make the slab stronger.

A four-inch slab costs about $0.74 less compared to a six-inch slab. A 4-inch 24×40 concrete slab may cost about $710.40 less.

How Much Do Extra Features Cost for a 24×40 Concrete Slab?

Along with the thickness of the slab, you may want to consider other options, such as:

• Thickened edges – $1 per square foot
• Wire mesh reinforcement – $0.40 per square foot
• Vapor barrier for added protection – $0.50 per square foot

Including these features will increase the cost of pouring a 24×40 concrete slab by about $1,824. It is not a major price increase and may decrease the risk of foundation problems in the decades to come.

Hiring a Contractor Versus Pouring a 24×40 Concrete Slab Yourself

The average cost of $6 per square foot includes about $2.40 for labor. If you choose to complete the project yourself, you may spend closer to $3.60 per square foot.

A 24×40 slab covers just 960 square feet. A DIY project may cost about $3,456. The same project with a contractor may cost closer to $5,760. To get an estimate of the cost of pouring concrete, you can use a concrete slab calculator to help determine costs.

Saving over $2,000 on the project may be enticing, but you also need to consider the risks. Any mistakes could impact the structural integrity of your barndominium. If you want to avoid these risks, you may be better off hiring a contractor.