Concrete Pad Cost Calculator
A concrete pad cost calculator adds yd³ × price per yard to area × labor rate. A 10 × 10 ft pad 4 in thick is 1.23 yd³, about $785 at $150/yd³ + $6/sq ft.
How much does a concrete pad cost?
A concrete pad cost calculator adds the cost of the concrete to the cost of placing and finishing it. Cubic yards = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Total cost = cubic yards × price per yard + area × labor rate per square foot. A 10 × 10 ft pad 4 inches thick needs 1.23 cubic yards and costs about $785 at $150 per yard and $6 per square foot of labor.
Both prices are editable. Concrete prices and labor rates change a lot by region, so replace the defaults with a local ready-mix quote and a contractor’s per-square-foot rate.
How the estimate is built
- Area = length × width, in square feet.
- Cubic yards = area × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27.
- Material = cubic yards × price per cubic yard.
- Labor = area × labor rate.
- Total = material + labor.
No waste is added. When you place the order, most crews round up by about 5 to 10% to cover uneven ground and form bulge.
Worked examples
Shed pad: 10 × 10 ft, 4 in, $150/yd³, $6/sq ft
- Area: 100 sq ft
- Cubic yards: 100 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 1.23 yd³
- Material: 1.2346 × $150 = $185.19
- Labor: 100 × $6 = $600.00
- Total: $785.19
Hot tub pad: 8 × 8 ft, 6 in thick, same rates
- Area: 64 sq ft
- Cubic yards: 64 × 0.5 ÷ 27 = 1.19 yd³
- Material: $177.78. Labor: $384.00.
- Total: $561.78
On small pads, labor is most of the bill. In the shed example, concrete is under a quarter of the total.
Estimated cost by pad size (defaults)
| Pad | Thickness | Cubic yards | Material | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 3 ft (AC unit) | 4 in | 0.11 | $16.67 | $54 | $70.67 |
| 4 × 4 ft (generator) | 4 in | 0.20 | $29.63 | $96 | $125.63 |
| 8 × 8 ft (hot tub) | 6 in | 1.19 | $177.78 | $384 | $561.78 |
| 10 × 10 ft (shed) | 4 in | 1.23 | $185.19 | $600 | $785.19 |
| 12 × 16 ft (shed) | 4 in | 2.37 | $355.56 | $1,152 | $1,507.56 |
| 20 × 20 ft (pad or garage floor) | 4 in | 4.94 | $740.74 | $2,400 | $3,140.74 |
Typical pad thickness by use
| Use | Common thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AC condenser, small equipment | 3 to 4 in | Precast plastic or concrete pads are an alternative |
| Garden shed | 4 in | Often over 4 in of compacted gravel |
| Hot tub | 4 to 6 in | Check the tub manual; usually reinforced |
| Garage floor or vehicle pad | 4 to 6 in | Thicker where heavy trucks park |
Check local code and any equipment manual for the final figure.
How to measure
- Measure the finished footprint, not just the equipment’s base. Leave a few inches of extra pad on every side.
- For a shed, match the pad to the shed’s floor frame, or add a little extra so water runs off.
- Use the finished slab thickness, not the depth you dig. The gravel base is a separate layer; size it with the gravel shed base calculator.
Common budgeting mistakes
- Forgetting the short-load fee. Ready-mix plants often charge extra below a minimum load. For pads under a yard, bagged concrete can be cheaper; the concrete pad calculator shows quantity.
- Leaving out steel. Hot tub and vehicle pads usually need rebar or mesh. Price it with the rebar calculator.
- Comparing bids at different thicknesses. Ask every contractor for thickness, base depth, and reinforcement in writing.
- Ignoring access. If the truck cannot reach, pumping or wheelbarrowing adds labor.
For larger flatwork, the concrete slab cost calculator and concrete patio cost calculator use the same method at a bigger scale.
Frequently asked questions
What does this pad cost estimate include and exclude?
It includes the concrete (cubic yards × price per yard) and finishing labor (area × labor rate per sq ft). It leaves out the gravel base, forms, rebar or mesh, excavation, delivery or short-load fees, and permits. A 10 × 10 ft pad at the defaults comes to $785.19 before those extras.
What size pad do I need for an AC unit or generator?
Most residential condensers and standby generators sit on pads around 3 × 3 ft to 4 × 4 ft. Use the maker's listed footprint plus a few inches on each side. A 4 × 4 ft pad at 4 inches costs about $125.63 at the default rates, mostly labor.
Should a hot tub pad be thicker than 4 inches?
Many hot tub makers ask for 4 to 6 inches of reinforced concrete, since a filled tub with people in it can weigh several thousand pounds. An 8 × 8 ft pad at 6 inches is 1.19 yd³, about $561.78 at the defaults. Follow your tub's installation manual.
Why is the labor rate the same regardless of pad size?
The $6 per sq ft default is an average for forming, placing, and finishing small flatwork. Very small pads usually cost more per square foot in real quotes, because a crew still has to travel, set forms, and clean up. Treat a 3 × 3 ft result as a floor, not a quote.
How is this different from the Concrete Pad Calculator?
The concrete pad calculator gives material quantity only. This page adds labor so you get an installed budget. Use both: the quantity to order, and this total to compare contractor bids.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.