How Much Does a Concrete House Foundation Cost?
Last Updated: January 19, 2022
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A house foundation is the base upon which everything else is built. While older homes sometimes have stone foundations, almost all modern buildings use a concrete foundation. There are three major types of concrete foundations: a crawl space, slab-on-grade and a full-height basement. Slab-on-grade is the simplest kind of foundation. This is a concrete slab poured on a flat, leveled dirt surface and is a popular choice for areas with a high water table. A crawl space foundation has an accessible space with limited headroom. Crawl spaces can be used for storage space but not living space and is often chosen in places with high clay content in the soil. Finally, a full-height basement foundation is an accessible space which can be finished into a living area or left as storage space. Full height basements are typical in colder climates where the foundation needs to be under the frost level to prevent cracking.
Concrete Foundation Costs #
The cost of a new cement foundation is determined by the necessary amount of materials and labor. A concrete slab will always be the cheapest because it is very minimal while a full-height basement is relatively much larger and more expensive. A crawl space is somewhere in-between. Below are some concrete prices to help you determine your new concrete foundation cost.
- Concrete is typically measured by cubic yards (3'x3'x3'). An average cost for a cubic yard of concrete is $75 to $125, depending on how much is needed and local prices.
- Labor costs to pour and form concrete run somewhere around $3.50 to $7.00 per square foot.
- One homeowner paid $11,000 for a crawl space for a 1,500 square foot home.
- One customer in Texas received a quote for a 2,500 square foot foundation slab of about $20,000.
- A homeowner in Montana reports paying about $35,000 for a 30'x70' foundation with 9' high walls 8" thick.
- ConcreteNetwork.com offers this free concrete cost calculator.
- Rebar (needed to reinforce the strength of concrete) costs approximately 50 cents to 80 cents per pound. To figure out how much you need for your home, read this article on eHow.com.
- You will need to acquire a building permit from your local municipality. Prices vary depending on the size of the building project and your location.
- Pouring a crawl space or full-height foundation is fairly complicated and making a mistake could doom the construction of your entire home. It should be left to a professional.
Shopping For a Concrete Foundation? #
- For advice on hiring a concrete contractor, read this Ezine article.
- If somebody else you know is also having a concrete foundation poured, you may be able to cut a deal with a contractor.
- For more information about different kinds of concrete foundations, read this article on ConcreteNetwork.com.