A concrete estimate template keeps flatwork pricing honest: yardage calculated with waste factor, prep itemized as the real work it is, and access and weather conditions stated before the truck rolls.
Use this concrete template See the general estimate template
Sample Concrete Estimate Line Items
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demo and haul-off existing slab | 800 sq ft | $2.25 | $1,800 |
| Excavate and grade subbase | 1 | $850 | $850 |
| Gravel base, 4 in. compacted | 12 tons | $48 | $576 |
| Forms, rebar #4 @ 24 in. o.c. | 1 | $720 | $720 |
| Concrete 3000 PSI, delivered | 10.5 yd | $175 | $1,838 |
| Place, finish, cut joints | 800 sq ft | $2.60 | $2,080 |
How to Price a Concrete Job
Concrete flatwork is priced per square foot of finished slab, built up from the cost stack behind it:
- Finished price per square foot. A standard 4-inch slab commonly runs $6–$12 per sq ft installed; decorative, stamped, or colored work runs higher.
- Calculate yardage with waste. Volume = area × thickness, converted to cubic yards, plus 5–10% waste — short-pouring a slab is a disaster you price out of existence.
- Itemize prep. Demo, excavation, base, forms, and rebar are the labor a lowball bid hides; list them so the client sees the real slab.
Worked example. An 800 sq ft slab replacement: $1,800 demo, $850 excavation, $576 gravel base, $720 forms and rebar, $1,838 concrete (10.5 yd with waste), and $2,080 place-and-finish total $7,864 — about $9.83/sq ft. Naming PSI, thickness, and finish means every competing bid is pricing the same slab, not a thinner one.
What to Include
- Dimensions, thickness, PSI, and finish — so every bid prices the same slab
- Yardage with 5–10% waste factor shown
- Truck access assumption; pump truck as a listed add-on
- Subgrade condition assumption with re-price trigger
Common Concrete Estimate Mistakes
- No waste factor. Ordering exact volume risks a short pour and a cold joint — always add 5–10%.
- Not specifying PSI and thickness. A vague “concrete slab” lets a competitor quote 3 inches against your 4; state the spec.
- Assuming truck access. If the mixer can’t reach the pour, a pump truck is a real added cost — list it as a conditional add-on.
- Promising no cracks. Concrete cracks; control joints manage it. Disclose that instead of over-promising.
Recommended Terms
Include the cracking disclosure — control joints manage cracking, they don’t prevent it. Weather thresholds for pour scheduling, utility locates by others, deposit plus balance on completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a concrete slab cost per square foot?
A standard 4-inch slab commonly runs $6–$12 per square foot installed, with decorative, stamped, or colored finishes higher. Demo of an existing slab, excavation, and base prep add to that.
How do you calculate concrete yardage?
Multiply the area by the thickness to get volume, convert to cubic yards, then add 5–10% for waste. Ordering the exact calculated amount risks running short mid-pour and creating a cold joint.
Why does a concrete estimate disclose cracking?
Because all concrete can crack as it cures and moves — control joints direct where it happens, but they don’t prevent it. Stating this up front sets honest expectations and heads off a warranty dispute.
Start from the free estimate template, compare the construction estimate template, or browse all quote and estimate templates.