Cost estimate · Concrete pad
Concrete Pad Cost Calculator
Price AC pads, generator pads, shed bases, and equipment slabs. Small pours often hit short-load fees — this tool shows a low / typical / high range, not a contractor bid. Excavation, base gravel, and permits are usually separate.
Pad dimensions
Estimated pad cost
$133–$367
Typical ~$250 · $8–$23/sq ft
- Volume (raw)
- 0.2 cy
- With waste
- 0.21 cy
- Pad area
- 16 sq ft
Under ~1 cy — bagged mix (Sakrete / Quikrete) is often cheaper than a short-load truck. Check the bag calculator.
Cost breakdown
- Ready-mix concrete (delivered)0.21 cy × $130–$200/cy$27–$41
- Short-load surchargeOrder under 4 cy$50–$150
- Labor — place & finish16 sq ft × $2.50–$8.00/sq ft$40–$128
- Formwork16 lf perimeter × $1.00–$3.00/lf$16–$48
Not included
- Excavation and grading
- Base gravel / compacted subbase
- Removal of existing concrete
- Permits and inspections
- Difficult site access or pumping beyond a standard day rate
- Prefabricated plastic AC pads (alternative to poured)
Price data updated . National US ranges from published supplier and contractor averages. Not a bid. Local quotes vary.
How pad cost is calculated
Volume math matches any rectangular pour. On pads the interesting part is the short-load and bag crossover — a few cubic feet of concrete still triggers truck minimums.
pad cu yd = length × width × (thickness_in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 order yards = pad cu yd × (1 + waste %) if order < 4 cy → add short-load surcharge if order < 1 cy → bags are often cheaper
Worked example. A 4 × 4 ft AC pad at 4 in is about 0.20 cy — usually bag territory. A 10 × 12 ft shed pad at 4 in is about 1.48 cy raw (~1.56 with 5% waste), where ready-mix starts to make sense.
Common pad sizes
Equipment and shed pads are small rectangles — often bag-mix territory until you pass ~1 cy.
| Use | Typical size | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| AC condenser | 3×4 to 4×5 ft | 4" |
| Shed base | 8×10 to 12×12 ft | 4" |
| Hot tub / spa | 8×8 to 10×10 ft | 4"+ |
| Trash / HVAC | 4×6 to 6×8 ft | 4" |
Concrete Pad Cost calculator FAQ
- How big should an AC condenser pad be?
- Size the pad a few inches larger than the unit on each side — commonly 3×3 to 4×4 feet for residential condensers. Keep the pad level, slightly above grade, and clear of roof drip lines. Manufacturer clearance diagrams override rules of thumb.
- Is it cheaper to pour a pad or buy a plastic one?
- Lightweight plastic and composite AC pads are often cheaper and faster for a single condenser. Poured concrete wins when you need a custom size, heavier equipment, a shed floor, or a pad that must stay put in wind and freeze-thaw. Compare both before ordering a short load of ready-mix.
- Do small pads need rebar?
- Many AC and generator pads are poured with fiber mix or light mesh and no structural rebar. Shed pads and hot-tub pads benefit from a simple rebar or mesh grid because of larger spans and heavier point loads. Toggle rebar on when the pad is bigger than a few square feet or carries significant weight.
- Why is the cost per square foot high on a tiny pad?
- Fixed costs dominate: minimum labor mobilization, short-load fees, and forms for a small perimeter. A 4×4 pad can look expensive per foot compared with a driveway even though the absolute dollar range is modest. That is expected — not a bug in the math.
- Is this a contractor bid?
- No. It is a national US planning estimate with a low / typical / high range. Use it to budget and compare quotes — not as a fixed price. Digging, base, and permits are typically excluded.