Free Concrete Estimate Template
A complete, line-item concrete estimate you can preview below — excavation and haul-off, compacted base, forms, rebar and mesh, ready-mix, placement and finishing, control joints and curing — with a plain-language guide to strength, air entrainment, footing depth and reinforcement.
| Line item | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Demo & haul existing driveway | 980 sf | $2,156.00 |
| Excavation & grading | 1 lot | $980.00 |
| Compacted 4" crushed base | 12 tons | $744.00 |
| Forms, stakes & release | 1 lot | $520.00 |
| #4 rebar @ 18" o.c. + chairs | 1 lot | $690.00 |
| Ready-mix 4,000 psi (5in slab) | 16 cy | $2,880.00 |
| Placement & broom finish labor | 1 lot | $2,450.00 |
| Control joints, cure & seal | 980 sf | $490.00 |
| Total | $10,910.00 | |
Payment schedule
How to measure and price concrete work
- Cubic yards = length x width x thickness in feet ÷ 27, plus 5–10% for subgrade variation and spillage.
- Quote base, forms, reinforcement, mix and finish as separate lines so an upgrade (stamped, colored, thicker slab) is easy to price.
- Add pumping, Saturday delivery and short-load fees when they apply — dispatch charges them and clients dispute them.
Concrete building-code guide
Concrete inspections happen before the pour, not after. The inspector is checking depth, bearing, reinforcement and the mix you specified on the ticket.
- Minimum 2,500 psi for basement slabs and interior work in every weathering zone
- 3,000 psi minimum for basement walls and foundations; 3,500 psi in severe weathering areas
- Exterior flatwork exposed to freeze-thaw must be air-entrained 5–7% and at least 3,500 psi
- Footings must bear on undisturbed soil below the local frost line — depth is set by your jurisdiction
- Minimum footing thickness 6"; projection each side must not exceed the footing thickness
- Step footings on slopes so the top and bottom are level, with a maximum slope of 1 unit vertical in 10 horizontal on the bottom
- Minimum slab thickness 3.5"; base course of 4" clean graded gravel or crushed stone under the slab
- A 10-mil vapor retarder is required under slabs in habitable spaces (lapped 6in at seams)
- Reinforcement should be positioned in the upper third of the slab on chairs — mesh laid on the ground does nothing
- Cut control joints within 6–12 hours, to 1/4 of the slab depth, in panels no more than 2–3x the slab thickness in feet
- Never add water on site to make it workable — it lowers strength and causes surface crazing
- Cure for a minimum of 7 days (wet cure or curing compound); protect from freezing for the first 24–48 hours
Code quick reference — Concrete
| Item | Requirement | Code reference |
|---|---|---|
| Footing depth | 12in below undisturbed ground and below frost line | IRC R403.1.4 |
| Footing width | Per load-bearing table for soil and stories | IRC Table R403.1 |
| Anchor bolts | 1/2in min, 6 ft OC, within 12in of plate ends | IRC R403.1.6 |
| Slab | 3-1/2in min thickness on compacted base | IRC R506.1 |
| Vapor retarder | 6-10 mil under slabs in conditioned space | IRC R506.2.3 |
| Control joints | Spacing 24-36x slab thickness; saw-cut early | ACI 302 |
Drawings & details
Simplified section and plan views of the details inspectors look at most. Illustrative only — not to scale.
Adjust the values — the drawing below updates in real time.
- 1 · Depth below grade — Below local frost line(36.00")
- 2 · Footing width — Width per load table(16.00")
- 3 · Height above grade — Wall / column(3' 0")
- Depth below grade: 36.00" · Footing width: 16.00"
- Height above grade: 3' 0"
- Below local frost line
Adjust the values — the drawing below updates in real time.
- 1 · Concrete slab — 4in typical residential(4.00")
- 2 · Reinforcement — rebar or WWF, on chairs(0.50")
- 3 · Vapor retarder — 10 mil under conditioned space(0.06")
- 4 · Compacted base — 4in clean gravel(4.00")
- Concrete slab: 4.00"
- Reinforcement: 0.50"
- Vapor retarder: 0.06"
- Compacted base: 4.00"
- Total assembly: 8.56" (8 9/16")
Inspection-day checklistShow
- Forms, rebar chairs and vapor retarder inspected before the pour.
- Ticket kept for mix design, slump and air content.
- Rebar laps and cover measured (3in against earth).
- Finishing not started while bleed water is on the surface.
- Curing method documented — wet cure or cure compound for 7 days.
Code references are based on the 2021 IRC and related model codes. Local amendments, state codes and manufacturer instructions can be stricter — always confirm with your local building department before starting work.
Common concrete estimating mistakes
- Not verifying frost depth with the local jurisdiction before quoting footings.
- Underestimating demo and haul-off, which on a driveway is often as expensive as the new pour.
- Leaving out the sealer and control joints, then getting blamed for random cracking.
Export a branded, client-ready PDF or send a sign-from-phone link.
Your client reviews and signs the estimate from any device.
IRC R402/R403/R506 guidance for mix strength, air entrainment, frost-depth footings, vapor retarder and control joints.
Concrete estimate FAQ
What should a concrete estimate include?
A concrete estimate should list demo and haul, excavation and grading, compacted base, forms, reinforcement, cubic yards of ready-mix with the psi, placement and finishing labor, control joints, and curing or sealing.
How do you calculate concrete yardage?
Multiply length by width by thickness in feet and divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then add 5–10% for subgrade variation and waste. A 980 sq ft driveway at 5 inches thick is about 16 cubic yards.
What strength concrete does a driveway need?
Most codes require at least 3,500 psi air-entrained concrete for exterior flatwork in freeze-thaw regions, and many contractors specify 4,000 psi for driveways carrying vehicle loads.
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