WhatToCharge

How much to charge for concrete work

Rates reviewed June 2026

Concrete flatwork is priced per square foot, with the finish and the prep driving the spread. Excavation, forming, and a gravel base are most of the labor, so price them as their own line, not an afterthought.

Pricing engineconcrete work

You should charge

$9

per square foot · typical $6$18

Why this number. Stamped and colored finishes are the premium tier, so anchor with them. Price the excavation and forming separately, because that invisible prep is where the hours and the durability actually live.

Typical concrete work prices

JobTypical range
Plain slab / driveway (per sq ft)$6 $10
Stamped / decorative (per sq ft)$12 $25
Repair or sealing$300 $1,500

Free · The words, not just the number

Get the concrete work pricing script

A short, calm script for quoting concrete work in person. The goal is not to pitch. It is to ask a few good questions, say your number once without flinching, and let them talk themselves into yes.

  • The questions to ask before you ever name a price
  • How to say your number so it lands, then stay quiet
  • The line for when they say "that's too much" (no discounting)
  • A rate-increase template for clients you already have
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What changes the price

  • Flatwork vs. structural pour
  • Finish (broom, stamped, colored)
  • Excavation, forms, and base prep
  • Slab thickness and rebar

The pricing move most people miss

Stamped and colored finishes are the premium tier, so anchor with them. Price the excavation and forming separately, because that invisible prep is where the hours and the durability actually live.

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Frequently asked questions

How much should I charge for concrete work?+

Most concrete work is priced $6–$18 per square foot, with a typical rate around $9 per square foot. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to flatwork vs. structural pour and finish (broom, stamped, colored). Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.

What is the best way to price concrete work?+

Most concrete work is priced per square foot, which is easy for clients to understand. Set a clear minimum so small jobs still cover your time and travel, and bundle add-ons into packages to lift the average ticket rather than discounting.

How much should I charge for concrete work as a beginner?+

Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $6 to $9 per square foot. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $18.

What affects how much concrete work costs?+

The biggest factors are flatwork vs. structural pour; finish (broom, stamped, colored); excavation, forms, and base prep; slab thickness and rebar. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.

How do I quote concrete work so the client says yes?+

Stamped and colored finishes are the premium tier, so anchor with them. Price the excavation and forming separately, because that invisible prep is where the hours and the durability actually live. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.

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