40×50 Concrete Slab Cost | Pricing Important Factors

Pouring a concrete slab is one of the first steps needed to build a barndominium. If you plan on building a 40×50-foot barndominium, the concrete slab may account for a large part of your construction costs.

How much does a 40×50 concrete slab cost?

The average concrete slab costs are about $4 to $8 per square foot, with a median price of $6 per square foot. Based on these figures, the expected cost of a 40×50 concrete slab is between $8000 and $16,000. The median price is about $12,000.

Here is a breakdown of the costs for a 40×50 concrete slab.

What Does a 40×50 Concrete Slab Include?

A concrete slab covers 2000 square feet of space. Slabs are also available in a variety of thicknesses and with various extra features that can influence the final cost.

However, the typical cost of a concrete slab is based on a slab with the following features:

• 3000 PSI concrete poured to a thickness of 6 inches
• A wood form to keep the concrete in place as it hardens
• Fiber mesh reinforcement and rebar for increased strength
• Labor and equipment and pouring and finishing the concrete slab

If your concrete slab includes any variations to the standard slab, the costs may vary. Some of the factors that impact the cost of a concrete slab include:

• The thickness of the slab
• The thickness of the edges
• Materials for increased durability
• The local cost of material and labor

The estimated cost of a concrete slab is based on the average costs across the nation. Some regions may have higher or lower costs when it comes to labor and materials.

For example, many of the states on the East and West coasts have higher labor costs compared to states in the Midwest. The Midwest also typically has lower costs for materials.

Average 40×50 Concrete Slab Cost Based on Thickness

While your region may influence the cost of a 40×50 concrete slab, the thickness of the slab is one of the most important details. Instead of a 6-inch slab, you may choose a thinner slab.

Here is the base cost per square foot for different thicknesses:

• 4-inch slab: $2.83 per square foot
• 5-inch slab: $3.20 per square foot
• 6-inch slab: $3.57 per square foot

A 4-inch slab costs about $0.74 less per square foot compared to a 6-inch slab. For a 40×50-foot concrete slab, a thickness of four inches may save about $1480. However, a thinner slab also increases the risk of cracks and fractures that impact the stability of your foundation.

Average Cost of Extra Features for a Slab Foundation

If you choose a thinner slab, you may want to include one or more features to increase its durability. Some of the potential options include:

• Thickened edges cost about $1 per square foot
• Adding a vapor barrier costs about $0.50 per square foot
• Wire mesh reinforcement may cost $0.40 per square foot
• Additional site preparation work can cost $0.60 to $1.25 per square foot

These features help protect the foundation from damage, but also increase the cost of pouring the concrete slab. The total cost of these features is about $3.15 per square foot, which can add $6300 to the cost of a 40×50 concrete slab.

Should You Hire a Contractor for a 40×50 Concrete Slab?

A DIY 40×50 concrete slab is likely to save you a considerable amount of money compared to hiring a contractor. You can shave about $2.40 per square foot off the total cost.

A DIY 40×50 concrete slab may cost closer to $3.60 per square foot, resulting in a total cost of about $7200 instead of $12,000. To get an estimate of the cost of pouring concrete, you can use a concrete slab calculator to help determine costs.

Yet, the foundation is one of the most important features for ensuring that your barndominium lasts a lifetime. If you want to ensure that you have a stable base for your new home, hiring a contractor may be worth the extra cost.