Concrete Slab Foundations: Pros, Cons & Costs

Concrete slabs are one of the most popular foundation choices. On average, they cost less than other structural foundation material due to the ease of installation. Concrete slabs also tend to dry fast which helps speed up the construction process for projects.

In this guide well cover the pros/cons of them as a home foundations and the average cost for all types of concrete slab sizes ranging from 10x10 all the way to 40x60.

Table of Contents

Advantages of Concrete Slab

Installing concrete slabs are easy to install and take less time than other materials which makes them affordable.
Long lasting and offers protection against burrowing insects.
Less prone to negative effects from the weather in warm climates.
Decent moisture barrier.

Disadvantages of Concrete Slab

Slab cracks can potentially compromise the entire structures integrity. If you've noticed some concrete foundations cracks, here is our guide on the best foundation crack repair kits.
Can cause the area to feel cold thus increasing energy usage in homes.

Types of Concrete Slabs

There are several different types of slabs (16 in total). Here are some of the most popular ones:

One-Way Slabs
2-Way Slabs
Flat Slabs
Waffle Slab
Flat Plates
Hardy Slabs

Average Cost Of A Concrete Slab By Size

10 x 10 Concrete Slab Cost

The average cost of a 10x10 concrete slab is 700$

12 x 12 Concrete Slab Cost

The average cost of a 12x12 concrete slab is 1500$

30 x 30 Concrete Slab Cost

The average cost of a 30x30 concrete slab is 5500$

40 x 40 Concrete Slab Cost

The average cost of a 40x40 concrete slab is 10,000$

40 x 60 Concrete Slab Cost

The average cost of a 40x60 concrete slab is $10,000 - $12,000

Can You Install Concrete Slab By Yourself?

A very common question is whether a DIYer can do this by themselves. The answer is yes, you can definitely install concrete slabs on your own with the right equipment and knowledge. If you don't personally have any construction experience, I would not recommend it especially for your own home foundation. One, you might need to get permits to even do that, and two it's not something you want to make a mistake on since your home literally is supported by it.

Buying Concrete Slab Tips

Here are some helpful tips when it comes to buying concrete slabs in order to save money and remain on budget:

Get at least 3 quotes from contractors who install them. Note that the cost of it will vary between different contractors in terms of material/labor costs. Also ask if they offer any warranties for the installation.
Early winter is when contractors tend to have less business so you may get larger discounts around these times.
If you have experience installing concrete, then it might be cost efficient to do it yourself but if you don't it's probably better to hire a professional. Depending on what you are using it for, it's not a process you want to mess up as it can be costly to fix.

Concrete slaps are a popular home foundation choice due to how easy they are to install and how quickly you can get a job done when using them. Concrete is tough, and can withstand a lot, which is why there is specialized drills to even be able to drill a hole in them. Plus, you might need other power tools to get them correctly installed and perhaps concrete grinders to make any changes to them.

You can also waterproof your concrete with interior concrete sealers. It's important to know the pros/cons that come with them in order to properly take care of them and avoid costly repairs.