When it comes to pricing concrete placement, the difference between a good estimate and a guess lies in how you build it. Whether you are using estimating software or working in Excel, the structure that gets you to a defendable number is the same: define the scope, build the crew, apply realistic productivity rates, calculate hours, and then add the costs.
Good estimating tools automate some of this in the background, multiplying crew hours by rates, adding material and equipment costs, and calculating a unit price. When you do it manually, you are still following that same chain, only each link needs to be built and checked by hand.
The goal is always the same: clear, transparent pricing that you can explain and stand behind.
Step 1: Define the Scope of Work
Every estimate starts with scope. In concrete placing, that means knowing what is being placed, how it will be placed, and what support work is included.
Example 1: Footings (Chute or Tremie Placement):
Concrete is discharged straight from the truck into the form using a chute or tremie. The work includes clearing rebar, accessing trenches, vibrating the pour, and cleaning up afterwards.
Example 2: Slab-on-Grade (Pump Placement):
Concrete is pumped into a large open slab area. Crews spread it with rakes and come-alongs, screed the surface, and work edges and transitions. Finishers follow close behind to keep pace with the placing.
The delivery method, size of the pour, and crew coordination requirements will all change the numbers you end up with.
Step 2: Build the Crew
Crew makeup directly affects both cost and productivity. Smaller pours need fewer people and less gear. Larger slabs require more coordination and equipment to keep the pour moving.
Footing Placement: Example Crew
- Working foreman
- Concrete placer (guiding chute/tremie)
- General labourer
- Vibrator operator
- Spotter
Slab-on-Grade Placement: Example Crew
- Working foreman
- Pump hose operator
- Two general labourers
- Finisher
- Vibrator operator
- Spotter
Add the small tools and equipment each role needs, from vibrators and rakes to hoses and cleaning gear, and price the crew by the hour. This becomes your burn rate.
Step 3: Apply the Productivity Rate
Productivity is where estimates often fall apart. It is not about “ideal” numbers from a book; it is about real crew performance under site conditions.
Sample Rates:
- Footing placing (chute): 25 m³ per crew-hour
- Slab-on-grade placing (pump): 15 m³ per crew-hour
From there, you can flip the calculation:
- Footing example: 80 m³ ÷ 25 = 3.2 crew-hours × crew size = total man-hours
- Slab example: 60 m³ ÷ 15 = 4.0 crew-hours × crew size = total man-hours
These numbers let you compare different pours and benchmark against past jobs.
Step 4: Calculate the Crew Cost
Multiply the crew’s hourly rate by the total crew hours from your productivity step. This gives you the direct field cost for placing, labour, small tools, and any site-specific gear.
Example:
- Footings: 3.2 hours × $262/hour = $838.40
- Slab-on-grade: 4.0 hours × $543/hour = $2,172.00
Step 5: Add Concrete Supply
Material costs are straightforward: take your quantity, add a waste allowance, and multiply by the delivered unit price. Waste factors depend on form tightness, site access, and crew efficiency.
Example:
- Footings: 80 m³ × 1.03 × $185/m³ = $15,244
- Slab: 60 m³ × 1.02 × $185/m³ = $11,322
Step 6: Check for Temporary Materials
Some pours require single-use items like pour stops, edge dams, or protective sheeting. Price both supply and installation. For standard footing and slab work, these may already be covered under formwork or small tools.
Step 7: Total the Task Cost and Unit Cost
Add crew cost, concrete supply, and any temporary materials. Divide by total cubic metres to get your unit cost.
Example unit costs:
- Footings: $216.50/m³
- Slab-on-grade: $235.60/m³
Breaking these down into labour/equipment, materials, and temporary items will help you pinpoint cost drivers and compare jobs.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Forgetting the cleanup and wash-out time
- Double-counting pump costs when they are already in supplier quotes
- Using optimistic productivity rates without adjusting for field conditions
- Missing roles or equipment in the crew rate
- Overlooking temporary materials provided by the placing crew
Want the complete framework for building rock-solid concrete estimates?
This article is only a slice of what you will learn in my Concrete Works Cost Estimating course. We cover the entire process, from quantity take-offs to detailed crew builds, productivity tracking, and cost development for placing, finishing, and curing. You will see real project examples, learn how to avoid the most common estimating mistakes, and build estimates that stand up to review on any project.
The Takeaway
Concrete placing costs can shift fast depending on crew setup, site access, and sequencing. Build them methodically, scope, crew, productivity, cost, and you will have numbers you can stand behind. For many jobs, finishing work will overlap with placing, so planning crews and sequencing together is critical.
