The strength of a concrete slab is an important aspect of a building. This part of the building provides the structure with balance, insulation, and support. With the trend of 24 × 24 barndominiums, most builders find concrete slabs to be the best foundation to complement the home type, mostly because of their rigidity. This begs the question, how much does it cost to pour a 24 × 24 slab of concrete for a barndominium?
The cost of a 24 × 24 concrete slab is between $2,880 and $4,608. However, several factors such as the construction company, materials, and a few others can cause the price to vary. These variations also influence the quality of the concrete slab.
Below is an insight into the several costs that make up a slab’s overall cost.
Contents
Overview of The Standard 24 × 24 Slab Concrete
To fully understand the relevance of concrete slabs in a building, one must know what concrete slabs are. A concrete slab foundation is a heavy, large slab of concrete that is usually 4 or 6 inches thick. This slab serves as a foothold that holds the building in place.
The quality of a 24 × 24 concrete slab is highly dependent on achieving a hard and durable surface. The surface has to be flat, free of cracks, and at the proper grade and elevation. If the soil is not suitable for the slab, the foundation may sink or settle as a result of poor soil compaction. One can determine the properties of the surface by the proportion of the mixture and the jointing operations. The timing of the operations is also critical, especially during the finishing and curing.
However, failure to properly address the pouring of concrete slabs can prove quite catastrophic. It may contribute to undesirable wearing surface characteristics. The surface can have low wear resistance, cracks, dust, scaling, high or low spots, and increased curling potential.
The selection of a concrete slab is distinct from house foundations, land quality, and basement requirements. For example, most builders adopt the 4 inches thick slabs for residential buildings while they build 6 inches for pathways and other surfaces that occasionally carry loads. However, this doesn’t mean that 6 inches concrete slabs are superior to 4 inches slabs. With proper reinforcements, the strength of a 4-inch slab can surpass that of 6 inches.
Most builders prefer concrete slab foundations to others because they are easy to install and reduce overall construction time. They require little to no maintenance, and one can customize them to suit any soil conditions. Other significant benefits of a concrete slab include:
- They Are Energy Efficient: Concrete floors have a high thermal mass that improves the home’s internal environment. This helps to reduce the cost of energy one needs to achieve thermal comfort in the home.
- They Are Damp Resistant: Concrete floors are moisture-proof; they don’t absorb water in any way. This makes them suitable for houses sited in regions with a high water table.
- They Are Fire-resistant: Because the concrete floors consist of materials that are not combustible, it reduces the chances of a fire outbreak in a building.
Optional Features for A 24 × 24 Slab Foundation
There are several features one can add to a 24 × 24 slab foundation. However, the selection of the features is only optional, depending on the purpose of the concrete slab. One may choose to add:
Edges
Concrete edging is a landscaping technique one uses to create a border between two types of ground, such as a garden and a pawn. Edges are not necessary for a floor, but it is necessary for a sidewalk or driveway. It costs $1 per square foot to make edges that are 12-inches thick.
Vapor Barrier
A concrete vapor barrier is a thin material suitable for foundations with high hydrostatic pressure. It prevents moisture from entering a concrete slab. This, in turn, prevents water vapor from reaching ceilings, and walls, which can damage the house. It costs $0.50 per square foot.
Reinforced Wire Mesh
A wire mesh is like a precautionary measure for a concrete slab. It helps to completely hold the concrete slab materials together to avoid cracks in the slab. This increases the durability and strength of the slab. Reinforced wire meshes cost $0.40 per square foot.
4-inches Thick Slabs Instead Of 6-inches
The thickness of the slab varies for every project. However, most times, people interchange them using several reinforcements. If one is unaware of that which suits a project, it is best to seek the opinion of the contractor. A 4-inch slab costs $5.35 per square foot, while a 6-inch slab costs $6.19.
How Much Does It Cost to Pour a 24 × 24 Slab of Concrete for A Barndominium?
To get an estimated cost for a 24 × 24 concrete slab, one must first consider the person for the job. If one intends to call a construction company, it will cost higher compared to doing it by oneself.
Barndo lovers might ask, how much does it cost to pour a 24 × 24 slab of concrete for a barndominium? On average, it costs between $5 and $8 per square foot to pour a slab for a barndominium. Since 24 × 24 dimensions equal 576 square feet, it means that its overall cost is between $2,880 and $4,608. However, it is crucial to note that a lot of factors can affect the overall cost of a 24 × 24 slab. The overall cost depends on the finishing, reinforcements, and thickness of the slab. Sometimes, average costs also differ for every area.
It is also possible to break down the overall costs into several costs that sum it up. For instance,
Labour Cost
To get the labor cost for a concrete slab, subtract the cost of materials from the overall cost. Most contractors charge up to 40 percent of the overall cost for labor. This puts the cost of labor between $2 and $3.2. If one considers the concrete slab of dimension 24 × 24, the labor cost will be between $1,152 and $1,843.
Price Of Materials
The exact arithmetic applies to the price of materials for a 24 × 24 concrete slab. The cost of materials for a concrete slab is between $3 and $4.8 per square foot. If one works with these figures, one will get an estimated price range of $1,728 and $2,764.8 for a 24 × 24 dimension.
Type Of Concrete
If one selects a basic concrete slab of 4-inches that costs $5.35 for the job, it’ll cost $3,081 for a 24 × 24 concrete slab. However, if it’s a 6-inch slab of $6.19, it’ll cost $3,565. It is crucial to remember that this price can be greatly affected by the features one uses for the slab. The more the features, the more the overall cost will be. To know more about the costs of pouring a slab, “check here.”
Cost Calculator
Below is an estimated calculation of the costs for a 24×24 concrete slab using an average cost of $6.88, $10.48, and $14.60. The difference in cost range depicts the quality of materials and job.
| Regular | Better | Best | |
| Material prices for Concrete slabs. | $1065.60
– $1180.80 |
$1347.84
– $1474.56 |
$1480.32
– $1664.64 |
| The Installation cost for Concrete slabs. | $2592.00
– $3081.60 |
$3715.20
– $5529.60 |
$6220.80
– $7459.20 |
| Total cost for Concrete slabs. | $3657.60
– $4262.40 |
$5063.04
– $7004.16 |
$7701.12
– $9123.84 |
| Total Average Cost per square for Concrete slabs. | $6.88 | $10.48 | $14.60 |
Additional Tips and Tools You Need for Pouring Concrete
Because of the crucial role concrete slabs play in a building, one must build them with care. Therefore, it is critical to always employ professionals for the job. However, if one intends to do the job oneself, one must have experience in building. One must know how to take all the necessary measures so that the job comes out well at the end of the day.
There are several tools that one requires to pour concrete. Below are a few of the major ones:
- Mixers
- Wheelbarrows
- Safety glasses
- Workboots (rubber)
- Measuring tape
- Screed
- Saws
- Shovel
- Gloves
Getting Your Area Ready
There are several steps one must take to prepare the site for a concrete slab. These measures ensure that the slab comes out well when dry and there are no cracks in the future. Some of the measures are:
Build Up The Concrete Formwork
The first step is to create the formwork for the concrete slab. One can create a box formwork using wood. The measurement of the box has to match that of the dimension for the project. It’s best to use 2 × 12 boards for the project. Although, one might need to splice the boards to get an exact length.
Level The Ground For Concrete
After building the formwork, set the height of the forms with a builder’s level. Poured concrete can bend the form boards and ruin the shape of the slab. Therefore one has to add extra support between two feet of the forms’ length. 2 × 4 stakes will do just fine to provide the support. This step is crucial; therefore, one must make sure the formwork is completely straight. The concrete slab will come out badly if the formwork is not straight.
Dig And Smooth The Ground
Another important step is leveling the ground. For efficiency, it’s best to hire a skid loader; it gets the job done faster. Although, it is possible to level the ground with the flat side of a rake. But if the topography of the land is sloppy, one has to call an excavator for the job.
Compact Each Layer Of Concrete Base
The base of the concrete has to be compact. It ensures the slab sits well on the ground. To compact the base, use a vibrating plate compactor. One must work around the area consecutively while adding more dirt to the area. Do this until the base is level.
Dampen The Base
The soil must not be dry. If it is, sprinkle water. Just enough so that it retains its shape when one molds the soil. It is vital not to make a pool of water; this is not good for pouring the slab. It is easier to water each section of the base with a house.
Tamp The Base
Once everything is in place, it is time to tamp the ground. To get a better result, go for a mechanical tamper. One has to tamp the ground until it looks rock-like and doesn’t leave a visible footprint. Once one gets this result, it is time to pour the concrete.
Conclusion
Want to build a 24 × 24 barndominium and asking, how much does it cost to pour a 24 × 24 slab of concrete for a barndominium? The cost is similar to that of a regular home. However, several factors and requirements can make the cost vary; such as location, quality of materials and the construction company in use.
I'm James, your barndominiums advisor. Several years ago, I had no idea what barndominiums were. Although I'd spent over 10 years in the construction industry, the first time I heard about barndominiums was when I saw my neighbor building a new-style home. That was the first barndominium I've ever seen, and I found it so fascinating that I wanted to learn more about them.
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