Concrete slab cost in Fort Collins, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,450 – $5,150
- Per sq ft
- $5.95 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #134
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete slab in Fort Collins, plan on $2,450 to $5,150 for 400 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $5.95 to $12 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.1).
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO, standard level
$3,250 to $4,350
About $7.70 to $10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,250 |
| Labor | $1,450 | $1,800 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $300 |
| Total | $3,250 | $4,350 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,900 | $2,700 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,250 | $1,650 | $2,050 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $230 | $400 | 6% |
| Total | $2,450 | $3,800 | $5,150 | 100% |
Why Fort Collins prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on cement masons and concrete finishers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.31 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Fort Collins is 1.02 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 43% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fort Collins metro is 96.1 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 400 sq ft comes to $1,900, compared with $2,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.1) and land at $50 to $400.
Climate in Fort Collins: timing your concrete slab job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Ft Collins (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Fort Collins (5 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, October, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Fort Collins gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.7 inches in May). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 1.4 and 1.4 inches. The station averages about 29 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45 | 18 | 0.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 21 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 29 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 63 | 35 | 2.1 | Cold |
| May | 71 | 44 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 53 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 59 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 57 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 48 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 36 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Nov | 53 | 26 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 44 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
Fort Collins against nearby metros and the rest of Colorado
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 400 sq ft range from $3,750 to $3,950 across Fort Collins and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, COthis page | $2,450 – $5,150 | $3,800 | |
| Boulder, CO40 miles | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +1% |
| Greeley, CO60 miles | $2,400 – $5,100 | $3,750 | −1% |
| Cheyenne, WY60 miles | $2,400 – $5,100 | $3,750 | −1% |
| Denver, CO90 miles | $2,550 – $5,400 | $3,950 | +5% |
| Colorado Springs, CO135 miles | $2,400 – $5,150 | $3,800 | level |
| Colorado (statewide) | $2,500 – $5,250 | $3,900 | +2% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +1% |
Across 300 US metros, Fort Collins comes in at #134 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,300; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $3,200 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, Fort Collins is 2% below the Colorado figure.
Other Colorado metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $2,550 – $5,400 | $3,950 | +5% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $2,400 – $5,150 | $3,800 | level |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +1% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $2,400 – $5,100 | $3,750 | −1% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $2,350 – $5,000 | $3,700 | −3% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $2,350 – $5,000 | $3,700 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Fort Collins's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Collins against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 170,820 jobs | $2,250 – $4,800 | $3,500 | −7% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 168,700 jobs | $2,600 – $5,450 | $4,050 | +7% |
| Visalia, CA | 171,140 jobs | $2,550 – $5,350 | $3,950 | +4% |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $2,150 – $4,600 | $3,350 | −11% |
Fort Collins labor market for concrete slab
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Fort Collins is 1.02 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $28.31 an hour, which is 3% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.15 and $30.36 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the area, 18.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.86 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.83 and $27.15 an hour. About 930 work in the metro. That is 54.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $31.08 an hour, which is 8% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.33 and $35.64 an hour. BLS counts 600 of them working in the area, 35.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.04 an hour, which is 4% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.36 and $30.74 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 30.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($30.36 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $60. At the 25th percentile ($23.15) it shrinks by about $150. The total moves by 1.6% or 4.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 169,430 jobs in the Fort Collins-Loveland area. That makes it the 138th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.11% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $23.15 | $28.31 | $30.36 | $27.41 | 1.03 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $20.83 | $22.86 | $27.15 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $29.33 | $31.08 | $35.64 | $28.78 | 1.08 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $23.36 | $28.04 | $30.74 | $29.12 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Fort Collins bid
Thickness and mix
A 4-inch slab uses about 1.23 cubic yards of concrete per 100 sq ft; a 6-inch slab uses about 1.85. Stepping up from a 3,000 PSI to a 4,000-4,500 PSI mix adds $10-$40 per cubic yard (Estimators.us).
Base and reinforcement
A compacted gravel base, vapor barrier, and wire mesh or rebar are priced separately by some contractors and bundled by others. Ask which one your quote does.
Truck and pump access
If the mixer truck can't back up to the forms, someone has to wheelbarrow it in or hire a pump. Pump or line-pump hire is typically billed per day.
Optional extras in Fort Collins
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Fort Collins by the average of the local wage index (1.02) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.99. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $400 – $1,200 |
| Remove old concrete first | $790 – $2,400 |
Planning more than one job in Fort Collins?
Because every project leans on different trades, Fort Collins's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs +2% and detached garage −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,250 | level |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | level |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $28,000 – $56,200 | −3% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | level |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,550 | +2% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,200 | level |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete slab pricing in Fort Collins
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fort Collins wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 5 common sizes.
Basic
$2,450 to $3,500
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,250 to $4,350
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$4,050 to $5,150
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $650 – $1,000 | $930 – $1,300 | $1,200 – $1,600 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $910 – $1,400 | $1,250 – $1,750 | $1,650 – $2,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,450 – $3,500 | $3,250 – $4,350 | $4,050 – $5,150 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,500 – $5,000 | $4,600 – $6,100 | $5,750 – $7,200 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $7,200 – $10,200 | $9,400 – $12,400 | $11,600 – $14,600 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $3,250 to $4,350 for Fort Collins, CO is attached.
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Multi-page report for Fort Collins, CO: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Concrete slab in Fort Collins: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Fort Collins?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,450 to $5,150 in the Fort Collins area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,250 to $4,350. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Fort Collins?
About $5.95 to $12 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Fort Collins or Boulder?
Boulder is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,850, which is 1% more than Fort Collins ($3,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Collins?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $1,650 out of $3,800. Materials are 51% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Fort Collins?
$2,450 to $5,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Fort Collins?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $400 for fees in the Fort Collins area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Collins expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Colorado?
Fort Collins is 2% below the Colorado statewide estimate ($3,900 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Fort Collins?
The BLS median is $28.31 an hour in the Fort Collins area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.15 to $30.36.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Fort Collins?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,450 to $3,500 and premium work $4,050 to $5,150. Basic means: 4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access. Premium means: 6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete slab in Fort Collins?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. August and September are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add rebar reinforcement" add in Fort Collins?
$400 to $1,200 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Fort Collins
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Slab Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Estimators.us: Concrete Slab Cost in 2026 | $6-$12/Sq Ft Guide (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020