Concrete Slab Cost Per Square Foot
A practical breakdown of what concrete slabs actually cost per square foot in San Antonio — driveways, patios, shed pads, RV pads, and small commercial flatwork. What the number includes, what changes it, and how to read a slab proposal without getting sold up or shorted.
What's in "per square foot"
When a San Antonio concrete contractor quotes $8 to $22 per square foot, that number usually includes:
- Excavation to sub-grade
- Compacted base (typically crushed limestone or road base)
- Forms
- Reinforcement — fiber mesh, rebar, or both
- Concrete mix delivered to the site
- Pour, screed, float, finish (broom by default)
- Control joints cut at proper spacing
- Cure, cleanup, and site restoration
Things that are usually separate line items or add-ons: demo of existing concrete, engineered fill for bad soil, pump truck for tight access, permits, and decorative finishes.
Cost by thickness
Thickness is the single biggest driver of per-square-foot cost, because it changes concrete volume, rebar spec, and often base depth too.
| Slab thickness | Typical use | Cost per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 4" | Residential driveway, patio, walkway | $8 – $12 |
| 5" | Heavier residential, small RV pad | $10 – $14 |
| 6" | RV pad, work truck, hot tub, shop floor | $12 – $16 |
| 8"+ | Light commercial, heavy equipment | $16 – $22 |
Cost by finish
- Broom finish (standard). Baseline per-square-foot pricing.
- Smooth trowel. Slight upcharge; less common outdoors because it's slippery.
- Exposed aggregate. Moderate upcharge; textured, non-slip, hides dirt.
- Integral color. Small per-square-foot upcharge for pigment in the mix.
- Stamped and colored. Significant upcharge — see our decorative concrete page.
Cost by reinforcement
- Fiber mesh only. Cheapest reinforcement. Controls shrinkage cracking, doesn't add much structural strength.
- Welded wire mesh. Middle option. Works if it's actually pulled up into the slab during the pour, not left on the dirt.
- Rebar grid on chairs. Most expensive, most reliable. Standard for driveways and pads.
Cost by scope: patio vs. driveway vs. RV pad
Same concrete, different use case, different cost:
- Patio slab. Usually 4" broom finish. Cheapest per square foot because loading is light and access is often easy. See concrete patios.
- Driveway. 4–5" with rebar. Middle of the range. See new driveway installation.
- RV / boat pad. 5–6" with full rebar grid. Higher per square foot because of thickness and steel.
- Shop floor / light commercial. 6"+ with engineered spec. Higher again.
Hidden costs to ask about
- Demo and haul-off of existing concrete
- Extra excavation for bad soil or roots
- Pump truck if the mixer can't reach the pour
- Permit and inspection fees ($100 to $400 including inspection)
- Sealer coat, especially on decorative work
- Sod, sprinkler, or fence repair after the pour
How to sanity-check a slab quote
Multiply the slab area by the per-square-foot number. If that lines up with the total, and the line items match the specs above, the quote is honest. If the total is much lower than area times a normal per-square-foot number, something is being cut — usually thickness, rebar, or base. If the total is much higher, ask what's driving the number: unusual site prep, upgraded finish, demo, pump, or heavy reinforcement should all show up as line items.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost per square foot for a concrete slab in San Antonio?
Most residential concrete slabs in San Antonio run $8 to $16 per square foot depending on thickness, reinforcement, base prep, and finish. A real per-square-foot number for your project comes back once a contractor has walked the site.
Is a 4-inch slab enough?
For a driveway serving cars and light trucks, or a sitting patio, 4 inches over a properly compacted base is standard. For heavy vehicles, RVs, hot tubs, or shop floors, 5–6 inches is more appropriate. Thickness by itself doesn't save a slab — the base underneath matters just as much.
Does rebar cost more than fiber mesh?
Yes, a rebar grid is more expensive in both material and labor than fiber mesh mixed into the concrete. Both have a place. Many San Antonio contractors use both — mesh for shrinkage control and rebar for structural reinforcement.
Why is my quote higher than the online average?
Online averages usually reflect plain 4-inch slabs on easy sites. Your quote may include more site prep, thicker concrete, more rebar, a decorative finish, demo of existing concrete, or hard truck access. Ask the contractor to break out the line items and you'll see where the difference is.
Get a real per-square-foot number for your slab
Also see our full San Antonio concrete driveway cost guide if this is a driveway project. Ready for a real quote? Use the form below.
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