How Much Does Concrete for a Metal Building Cost?
Robust concrete slab foundations ground metal building projects securing sturdy footprints supporting soaring steel frameworks looming overhead for decades. But what’s the bottom line cost of laying adequate substrate suitable for prefab metal structures? Let’s break down considerations in calculating the total concrete budget.
Concrete Material Component
Obviously, the first order equates to actual cubic yards of poured concrete figuring area dimensions and thickness. Generally, 4-inch depths suffice smaller builds although some jurisdictions specify greater 6-inch margins. Ready-mixed truckloads averaging $125/yd then translate total volume requirements into baseline material supply costs.
Labor and Equipment
Unless placing concrete yourself, skilled concrete crews run $75-$150/hour mobilizing pumping equipment, smoothing, and slope finishing large pours. Typically expect around $3-$4 per square foot for minor slabs up to double that for intricate commercial building builds with complex reinforcement. Don’t forget proper curing time also delays subsequent building erection due to contractor availability.
Excavation, Gravel and Reinforcing
Digging and then filling appropriate sub-bases with compacted gravel and reinforcement steel adds roughly $1.50-$2.50/square foot normally. Precise site prepping proves essential though before even mixing concrete and securing sturdy slabs long term. Soil testing helps determine ultimate gravel and grid needs too. Below are a few math formulas aimed at walking you through figuring out an estimated cost of concrete for your slab foundation, taking into account thickness length, and width to determine area and volume.
How To Estimate Concrete Costs For a Steel Building Foundation:
1. Calculate Total Slab Area
Length x Width of slab footprint = total area in sq ft
2. Determine Concrete Thickness
The typical thickness is 4 inches for steel building slabs.
3. Calculate Concrete Volume
Total Area x Thickness in inches (converted to feet) = Cubic Volume
Example: 40 ft x 60 ft slab = 2,400 sq ft
2,400 sq ft x (4 in / 12 in/ft) = 800 cubic ft
4. Determine Concrete Cost Per Cubic Yard
Check with local concrete suppliers. Expect $90-$140 per cubic yard.
5. Convert Volume to Cubic Yards
Divide cubic feet by 27 to convert to cubic yards
800 cu ft / 27 = 30 cubic yards
6. Factor Rebar and Labor
Add about $3-$6 sq ft more for rebar, mesh, finishing, curing etc.
7. Total Cost Estimate
Cubic yards x Cost per yard + Labor/extras cost = Total estimate
Example:
30 cu yards x $125/yard = $3,750
2,400 sq ft x $4/sq ft = $9,600
Total Estimate = $13,350
Work through these steps calculating your exact dimensions to get an accurate total cost estimate on the concrete foundation. Add at least 10% overage contingency too.
Project quotes averaging between $6-$8 per square foot complete basic concrete pad construction provide realistic metal building budgeting. Regionally poured margins hit $10 per foot. Know the total footprint, thickness, and finishing complexity to estimate overall costs adequately.
Don’t cut corners on shortchanging concrete or else your new steel building, Garage, Shop, or storage building will be worthless when the foundation cracks due to inferior concrete.
