How much to charge for concrete work
Updated 26 September 2026
Concrete work is normally quoted by the square foot or square metre, with higher rates for decorative finishes and thicker slabs. Removing old concrete and hard access are the usual extras, and a minimum charge covers the truck and crew on small pours.
Example concrete & driveways prices
| Job | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back patio, 250 sq ft, broom finish | $2,050 – $2,600 | £1,600 – £2,000 | A$3,150 – A$4,000 | CA$2,700 – CA$3,450 |
| Stamped patio, 350 sq ft | $4,550 – $5,800 | £3,550 – £4,500 | A$7,050 – A$9,000 | CA$6,050 – CA$7,750 |
| Driveway, 600 sq ft, broom finish, old slab removed | $6,100 – $7,750 | £4,750 – £6,050 | A$9,450 – A$12,050 | CA$8,100 – CA$10,350 |
Priced with the starting rates in our concrete & driveways template, in each country's currency. They're a starting point, not a survey of local rates, so set your own from what your jobs take and what others charge near you.
How concrete contractors set their prices
Area rate by finish
One rate for a plain broom finish and higher rates for exposed aggregate, stamped or coloured concrete. Customers can measure a patio or driveway themselves, so you can give a first price before a site visit.
By volume plus labour
Work out the cubic yards or metres of concrete, then add base material, steel, pump hire and crew time. It's the right method for footings, thick slabs and odd shapes, and the way to check your area rates.
Fixed price for standard jobs
Set prices for jobs you pour often, like a single-car driveway or a shed slab, with size limits. They're easy to sell, but anything outside the limits needs a full quote.
Sample concrete & driveways price list
The prices in our template, as a list you can adapt. Percentages change the price of the job; fixed-price extras are added on top.
| Item | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area, per sq ft | $9 | £7 | A$14 | CA$12 |
| Finish: Exposed aggregate | +40% | +40% | +40% | +40% |
| Finish: Stamped / decorative | +60% | +60% | +60% | +60% |
| Remove existing concrete | +25% | +25% | +25% | +25% |
| Minimum job price | $1,500 | £1,200 | A$2,250 | CA$2,050 |
Put this price list on your website
Customers answer a few questions about the job, see the price and send you their details. This is our concrete & driveways quote form with the prices above. Try it as a customer would, then start from these prices and change any of them.
Solid Ground Concrete
Concrete project estimate
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Pricing every slab the same way. A driveway usually needs a thicker slab and more steel than a garden path, so it costs more per square foot. Set a separate rate for paths, patios and driveways.
- Treating removal as a small extra. Breaking out an old slab takes machines, labour and tip fees. Our template adds 25% when existing concrete has to come out.
- Underpricing decorative finishes. Stamping and exposed aggregate need a bigger crew on the day and more finishing time. Our template adds 40% for exposed aggregate and 60% for stamped concrete.
- Ignoring access. If the truck can't reach the pour, you need a pump or a lot of barrow runs. Ask how close the truck can get before you quote.
- Taking tiny pours at your area rate. A small pad still needs a truck, a crew and a finisher, and some suppliers charge extra for part loads. Our template charges at least $1,500 in the US for any pour.
Not sure what your time is worth? Work out your hourly rate with the pricing calculator, then check your job prices cover it.
Questions
- How much should I charge per square foot for concrete?
- Work it out from a typical job: concrete, base, steel, crew time and margin, divided by the area. Keep a separate rate for each finish, and check them against a few past jobs.
- Should I price by area or by volume?
- Quote customers by area, because that's how they think about a patio or driveway. Use volume behind the scenes to make sure thicker slabs and footings are priced right.
- How do I quote a concrete job from photos?
- Ask for photos of the area and the way in from the street, with rough measurements. Give a range, then confirm levels, base and access on site before you book the pour.
- Do I need a permit for a driveway?
- It depends on where you work. Check your local rules, especially for driveways that meet the street, and add any permit fees and your time to the quote.
- How do I put concrete prices on my website?
- Add your square-foot rate and finishes to a quote form. Customers enter the area, choose a finish and say whether old concrete needs to come out, then see a range before they contact you.