A 5,000-square foot barndominium is a large building, which requires a large foundation. Depending on the layout of the floor plan, you may choose a 50×100-foot concrete slab. But, how much does a 50×100 concrete slab cost?
Compared to other types of foundations, you save money and end up with a stronger base for the frame of your barndominium. Yet, pouring a 50×100 foundation also costs a significant amount of money.
The average price is about $6 per square foot. With 5,000 square feet of space, you may pay about $30,000 for a standard 50×100 slab. However, concrete slab costs vary from $4 to $8 per square foot, giving you a price range of $20,000 to $40,000.
How much does a 50×100 concrete slab cost? – Typical Standard Features
A basic 50×100-foot concrete slab is poured to a depth of six inches. It also typically includes the following standard features:
- 3,000 PSI concrete with 3/4-inch crushed stone
- Fiber mesh material to reinforce the concrete
- 1/2-inch rebar added around the perimeter
- 2×6-inch wood to create the forms that hold the concrete
- The cost of labor to pour and finish the concrete slab
As every barndominium has different structural requirements based on the weight of the frame and interior, your concrete slab may include different features. For example, instead of a six-inch slab, you may pour a four-inch slab. You could also replace the fiber mesh with a wire mesh for increased durability.
Here is a closer look at the factors that determine the total cost of pouring and finishing a concrete slab:
- The thickness of the concrete slab (typically four to six inches)
- The inclusion of optional features (vapor barrier, wire mesh, and so on)
- The cost of material and labor in your region
The cost of material and labor tends to vary across the country. Some states have higher wages and more expensive materials. You may also decide to build the barndominium yourself, eliminating the need for labor. These factors greatly influence the cost.
For example, doing it yourself requires you only cover the material, which includes concrete, wood, rebar, and mesh. The average cost of the material is between $2.83 and $5.47 per square foot while the average cost of material and labor is $6 to $8 per square foot.
How Thick Should You Make a Concrete Slab for a Barndominium?
Most price estimates for concrete slabs are intended for six-inch slabs. However, a four-inch slab is more common for a barndominium. The base cost of a six-inch slab is $3.57 per square foot. The base cost for a four-inch slab is $2.83 per square foot.
Most builders use a minimum of four inches for barndominium foundations. The footings for the foundation need to be at least 12 inches deep and extend 8 inches below the ground.
What Optional Features Are Available for a Concrete Slab?
Along with the thickness of the slab, you may choose other features to improve the durability of the foundation. Common options include:
- A vapor barrier ($0.50 per square foot)
- 12-inch-thick edges ($1 per square foot)
- Reinforced wire mesh ($0.40 per square foot)
- Styrofoam layer ($2 per square foot)
Furthermore, to answer ‘how much does a 50×100 concrete slab cost?’ adding a styrofoam layer helps insulate the floor of the barndominium, but also adds $10,000 to the cost of pouring a 50×100-foot foundation. The other features add close to $9,500 to the total, but significantly decrease the risk of needing to repair the foundation in the future.
A DIY 50×100 concrete slab may cost a minimum of $14,150 for a four-inch slab with no extra features. With a vapor barrier, thicker edges, and wire mesh, you may pay up to $23,650. To get an estimate of the cost of pouring concrete, you can use a concrete slab calculator to help determine costs.
Hiring a contractor to pour and finish a 50×100 slab may cost a minimum of $20,000 and a maximum of $40,000.
Gail currently spends her free time geeking out about what’s new and trending in the world of barndominiums.
She is the former executive editor of BarndominiumLife.com and loves working with the team and members of the barndominium community. She now contributes to the blog on occasion, but only when she feels like it!