How much do concrete footings cost?

Are concrete footings priced individually or by the foot?

Footings can be priced individually or by their length, depending on the layout. A separate pad footing supports a concentrated load, such as a post or column, while a continuous footing runs beneath a wall. A price per cubic yard measures the volume of concrete instead, so you need to know whether it covers material alone or installed work.

The unit price is useful only when the dimensions and included work match. Two quotes for the same footing length can cover different amounts of concrete if one uses a wider or thicker footing.

Your home's floor area won't give you the footing quantity, either. Interior bearing walls and separate column supports can add work beyond the outside perimeter. And a square-foot price that combines footings and a slab can't be used as a footing-only rate.

How do you check the concrete quantity in a footing quote?

Use the footing dimensions on the plans to check that each contractor is pricing the same concrete quantity. For a rectangular footing, multiply the length by the width and concrete thickness, all in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. A cubic yard is a measure of volume equal to 27 cubic feet.

For example, if your plans showed a rectangular footing run 72 feet long, 1.5 feet wide, and 0.75 feet thick, the calculation would be 72 × 1.5 × 0.75 ÷ 27 = 3 cubic yards. Those dimensions illustrate the calculation; they're not recommended sizes for your project.

Use the concrete thickness, not the excavation depth. If a measurement is in inches, divide it by 12 to convert it to feet before multiplying. For identical rectangular pads, calculate one pad and multiply by the count. If the dimensions change along a run, calculate each section separately and add the volumes without counting intersections twice.

An allowance for placement conditions can explain why a quote includes more concrete than the plan volume. Use the calculation to discuss that difference with the contractor, who can determine the final delivery quantity.

What does a concrete footing installation price include?

A footing installation price can cover excavation, forms where needed, specified reinforcement, concrete placement, and cleanup, but the written quote determines what's included. A supplier's concrete price pays for the material and applicable supplier charges, so it won't tell you the cost of the finished footings.

For example, a Nebraska supplier's January 2026 price list quotes a concrete mix at $148 per cubic yard, plus a $50 small-load charge for orders under 4 cubic yards. At those rates, 3 cubic yards would cost $494 before tax and other applicable charges. That covers concrete supply, not footing installation.

The $50 small-load charge applies once to the load, rather than to each cubic yard. For orders below the four-cubic-yard threshold, that fixed fee adds more per cubic yard to a smaller order.

This example isn't a recommended concrete mix for your project. Delivery distance, cold-weather services, and truck waiting time can add charges. Your contractor's concrete specification and delivery arrangements determine which product and charges belong in your quote.

What can increase your concrete footing cost?

Larger footings, additional reinforcement, difficult excavation, and limited access can all add material or labor costs. That's why the same length of footing can cost more on one project than another.

How do footing dimensions and reinforcement affect the price?

Wider or thicker footings need more concrete, and reinforcement requirements affect the materials and installation work. Changes in elevation can also add layout and forming work. Your project designer establishes the footing details using the building loads, supporting soil, and applicable local requirements.

How do soil and excavation conditions affect the price?

Rock can make digging more difficult, groundwater can add water-removal work, and unsuitable soil may require additional site work or a revised foundation design. None of those costs appears in the concrete volume calculation. A quote that separates planned excavation from extra charges for unexpected ground conditions makes it easier to see where your budget is still uncertain.

Can difficult access increase footing costs?

Difficult access can increase footing costs if the crew needs a pump or another method of moving concrete because the truck can't reach the placement area. Equipment access also affects how the crew can carry out the work.

How do you compare concrete footing quotes?

Compare the total price for the same footing design and included work, then look at what each quote leaves out. If one contractor includes excavation and another leaves it to you, the lower number hasn't yet shown which proposal costs less for the completed work.

These questions help you resolve the differences:

• Which plan revision, footing types, count or run length, and dimensions does the price cover?
• Does it include excavation, hauling away excess soil, forms, reinforcement, concrete placement, and cleanup?
• Are delivery, small-load fees, pumping, truck waiting time, equipment transport, and taxes included?
• Who handles permits, inspections, testing, and engineering where required, and which fees are in the price?
• What happens if excavation finds rock, unsuitable soil, or water, and how are additional charges approved?
• Are backfill, foundation walls, the slab, drainage, and site restoration included or priced separately?
• How long is the quote valid, and what schedule and payment terms does it assume?

Give each contractor the same plans and project details, then compare written totals once the missing items are priced.

Contractors for Concrete helps homeowners plan concrete projects and request contractor matches. If you're budgeting for footing installation, you can submit your project details so we can check for potential matches in your area. We're still building our contractor network, so a match isn't guaranteed.

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