Flatwork cost breakdown by project type
Concrete Flatwork Cost Calculator
Answer first: concrete flatwork costs $6–$12 per sq ft installed in 2026. This covers slabs, patios, driveways, sidewalks, and pool decks. Use this calculator to estimate any horizontal concrete surface.
Residential flatwork cost range
$6–$12/sq ft installed (plain broom finish)
Covers driveways, patios, sidewalks, and garage floors. Add $3–$10/sq ft for stamped, exposed aggregate, or colored concrete.
Commercial flatwork
$4–$8/sq ft (larger volume, thicker slab)
Warehouses, parking lots, and commercial pads typically use 6-in slabs with #4 rebar at 18 in and fiber reinforcement. Larger pours reduce per-sq-ft cost through equipment efficiency.
Common flatwork projects by size
400 sq ft patio: $2,400–$4,800 | 800 sq ft driveway: $4,800–$9,600
Use the calculator to enter your exact dimensions. Ready-mix is recommended for any flatwork project over 1 cubic yard (about 100 sq ft at 4 in thickness).
Interactive workflow
Run the numbers, then save or export the project
What is concrete flatwork?
Flatwork refers to any horizontal concrete surface poured at or near grade: driveways, patios, sidewalks, garage floors, pool decks, basketball courts, and walkways. It contrasts with formed vertical concrete (walls, foundations, columns). Flatwork is typically 4 inches thick for residential use, poured from ready-mix trucks, finished smooth or with a broom texture, and cut with control joints.
How much does concrete flatwork cost per square foot?
Concrete flatwork costs $6–$12 per sq ft installed in 2026 for standard broom-finish concrete. Driveways and garage floors: $6–$12/sq ft. Patios and walks: $6–$10/sq ft. Pool decks: $7–$12/sq ft. Decorative finishes (stamped, exposed aggregate, salt finish) add $3–$10/sq ft. The range reflects regional labor rates, site access, and subgrade conditions.
What is included in a flatwork concrete bid?
A complete flatwork bid includes: existing surface removal (if applicable), excavation and subgrade preparation, 4–6 in compacted gravel base, vapor barrier (for enclosed spaces), concrete (yd³, psi spec), placement and finishing (broom, trowel, or decorative), control joints, curing compound, and cleanup. Permits, reinforcement upgrades, and decorative finishes are common separate line items.
What PSI concrete is used for flatwork?
3,000 PSI (20.7 MPa) is standard for residential flatwork. 4,000 PSI is recommended for driveways with heavy vehicles, areas with freeze-thaw cycles, or commercial applications. 3,500 PSI is a common middle ground. Air entrainment (5–8% air) is essential for flatwork in climates with freeze-thaw cycles — it protects against surface scaling from freeze expansion and de-icing salts.
How much concrete do I need for flatwork?
Multiply length × width × thickness (in feet), then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For a 20x20 area at 4 inches (0.333 ft): 20 × 20 × 0.333 = 133 ÷ 27 = 4.93 yd³. Add 10% waste: 5.43 yd³. Use the calculator above with your exact dimensions to get cubic yards, bag count, and material cost estimates.