A square foot price is fast to quote. But a borrowed number can cost you. Here is how to figure a price per square foot from your own costs.
The simple formula
Your total job cost ÷ square feet = your cost per square foot. Then divide that by 1 minus your margin.
$3,840 cost ÷ 800 square feet = $4.80 a square foot
$4.80 ÷ 0.75 = $6.40 a square foot
That is your price at a 25% margin. On 800 square feet, the bid is $5,120 and you keep $1,280.
How many yards per 100 square feet
| Slab thickness | Yards per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| 4 inches | 1.23 |
| 5 inches | 1.54 |
| 6 inches | 1.85 |
Add about 10% so you don't run short.
Why one price does not fit every job
- Thickness. Going from 4 to 6 inches on 800 square feet adds about 5 yards. At $170 a yard, that is about $840. Around $1.05 more per square foot.
- Small jobs. Setup time and short-load fees get spread over fewer feet. Your price per foot has to go up.
- Tear-out. Breaking out and hauling old concrete is its own cost.
- Access. If the truck can't reach the pour, you need a pump or buggies.
- Finish. Stamped or colored work takes more time and material than a broom finish.
What do jobs go for?
Homeowner price guides like Angi and LawnStarter list plain concrete driveways from about $6 to $20 a square foot in 2026. That is a wide range. It is why you need your own number.
Price per square foot calculator
Quote it before you leave the driveway.
SlabBid Pro has a Quick bid screen. Type the square feet and your price. Send the quote. Need the full breakdown? It figures concrete, rebar, labor, and margin for you.
Get SlabBid Pro on the App StoreFree for 7 days. iPhone and iPad.
More guides: How to bid a concrete driveway · How to estimate a concrete slab