How to Lay a Cost-Effective Concrete Slab

A concrete slab can be a cost-effective option for many home improvement projects. A professional concreter can advise on the type of concrete required and the reinforcements needed, ensuring that the slab is durable and meets your specific needs.

Often, concreters will quote prices on a per metre basis. The price may vary depending on the location and market conditions.

Buying the Concrete

Most construction projects that require a concrete slab need at least a six-inch thick one. For structures like barndominiums or pole barn homes, this is usually enough to hold the weight of the building and whatever else may be on it.

You’ll also need to pay for the materials and labor that goes into making a concrete slab, and this can vary from area to area. Local concrete contractors can measure the slab and give you a cost estimate.

The slab will need to be ordered in the form of concrete cubes or blocks, and these cost $2 to $5 per cubic yard. If your site needs grading and dirt work, this can add up to another $1 – $2 per square foot to the total cost.

You’ll also need to choose a finish for the slab. A textured finish can cost $8 per square foot, and you might want to consider adding color or decorative stamps.

Preparing the Site

The site of your concrete slab needs to be cleared of structures, vegetation and debris. It should be level and compacted to make sure the concrete will lay flat. It also needs to be drained. Water under a concrete slab can cause stress cracks and make the concrete weak. To avoid this, a trench should be dug around the slab to drain excess moisture.

Once the site has been prepared, the surveyor sets pins on the ground to mark out the floor area and give tradesmen points to measure from. They should then dig the footings and piers to the Engineers specifications. Once this is done, a layer of base should be laid. Usually this is type 1 MOT hardcore.

It is important to use a quality pre-mix concrete that is at the correct mix. You should also use a quality concrete formwork and add control joints, as these prevent random cracks from forming in the finished slab.

Building the Slab

The laying of concrete is labour intensive. You can do much of the prep work at your own pace, such as compacting and preparing the site for concreting but once you start mixing concrete, you have a very limited window to get it placed, screeded and troweled before it sets. For this reason, having a couple of helpers on hand will save you time and effort and ensure the job gets done right.

Make sure the slab site is accessible for the concrete truck. If not, you’ll need to hire a pump truck which will add approximately $900. Some slabs require a vapor barrier underneath which will increase the cost by $0.50 per square foot.

If you are using rebar for reinforcement, it’s important to lay it so that it sits 5 cm above the compacted base and is fully encased in concrete. This will prevent the reinforcing from rusting. It’s also a good idea to incorporate control joints. These straight lines will allow the concrete to expand and contract at regular intervals, rather than forming random cracks.

Finishing the Slab

Concrete slabs can be used for a variety of reasons, such as pads for air conditioning compressors, propane tanks and deck stairs. Watch Fine Homebuilding senior editor Andy Engel show how to get a great-looking finish on any slab using simple tools and the right techniques.

As the concrete sets, excess water rises to the surface called “bleed water.” Wait until this dries completely before moving on. Excessive bleed water can weaken your finished concrete slab.

Once the concrete is poured, use a screed board to level it to a consistent thickness of about 4 inches. Use a square-edged shovel rather than a rounded one, as the latter can cause a more uneven distribution of freshly poured concrete.

Next, you’ll need to float the concrete to a smooth, but not yet polished, finish. This can be done with a hand float for smaller projects and a bull float for larger ones. Avoid troweling the concrete too deeply as this can release air bubbles and prevent the concrete from setting properly.



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