Show the yardage math
A 20 by 24 ft slab at 4 inches thick is 480 square feet times 1/3 of a foot, which is 160 cubic feet, or 5.9 cubic yards. Add about 10 percent for grade variation and spillage and you order 6.5 yards. Clients rarely check the math, but the ones who do trust the whole estimate once it adds up.
Spell out the slab
- Thickness, strength and reinforcement: 4 inches, 4,000 psi, rebar or wire. A cheaper bid often differs on exactly these.
- Finish: broom, smooth or stamped.
- Base: the depth of compacted gravel under it.
Say that concrete cracks
Control joints are there so concrete cracks where you want it to. Saying so on the estimate turns a future complaint into something the client already read.
Questions concrete contractors ask
How do I calculate concrete yards for an estimate?
Length times width in feet, times thickness in feet (4 inches is 0.333), divided by 27. Add about 10 percent for waste.
How long should a concrete estimate be valid?
Shorter than most trades, often 14 to 30 days, because ready-mix prices change. Some contractors state the price per yard the estimate assumes.
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