Continuous footing vs. pad footing
A continuous footing under a wall usually needs more layout, trench cleanup, and reinforcing steel than a pad footing under a post or pier.
Concrete Footing Cost Calculator
Calculate concrete volume and budget for foundation footings before you order.
Important
All calculations provided by this Website are estimates only and are intended for informational purposes. They do not constitute professional engineering, construction, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on calculator results.
Results
Volume
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Cubic Yards (yd³)
Estimated Cost
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US average: $125–$165
US average: $125–$165
$ /yd³
Volume
Cubic Feet (ft³)
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Cubic Meters (m³)
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Bags Needed
40 lb Bags
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60 lb Bags
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80 lb Bags
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Estimated Weight
Estimated Weight
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What Changes a Footing Budget First
Use this page as a starting point. The cost of footings changes once trench depth, frost depth, soil bearing, bearing capacity, and load path are known. A small deck pier and a house foundation job can start with similar concrete volume. They can still finish with very different labor costs, cost per square foot assumptions, and total cost for foundation work.
Depth, width, and bearing soil
Bottom elevation, soil bearing, and local foundation types matter before you assume one width or depth works for every footing.
How to compare footing quotes without surprises
Compare footing quotes line by line. Ask whether excavation, spoil haul-off, backfill, inspections, and rebar installation are part of the number. Also ask whether the contractor is giving free estimates or only a rough material allowance.
Material price vs. installed footing cost
Ready-mix volume is only one part of concrete foundation cost. Crew time, trench shape, pump setup, and schedule risk often move the total more than the raw concrete alone.
Before the pour day
Verify the rebar schedule, dowels, trench dimensions, and frost depth. Also check whether crawl spaces or pier and beam foundation areas change access or forming assumptions.
What concrete contractors still need before they pour concrete
Even when the calculator gives you the right volume, concrete contractors still price foundation work by access, inspection timing, and how the footing ties into the rest of the structure. The average cost for a small deck pier is not the same as a living space addition or a full perimeter foundation.
Average cost depends on the whole foundation plan
Average cost changes when a footing supports a stem wall, a garage, or living space above. Wider trenches, heavier rebar, and staged excavation all push the installed number up.
Before you pour concrete
Before you pour concrete, confirm survey lines and spoil handling. Also check whether the crew can reach the trench without extra pumping or hand placement.
Plain-language footing checks for faster bid review
Keep the footing review simple. Short questions catch scope gaps fast.
Check soil notes first
Ask whether the quote matches frost depth, bearing capacity, and trench width on the plan. If not, the price is only a placeholder.
Check the price basis
Ask whether the cost per square foot is only a rough budgeting shortcut or a true installed footing number. That answer changes the comparison.
What a Footing Order Sheet Should Show
A footing calculator gives you volume. The order sheet still has to explain how that concrete reaches the trench. It should also show what work happens before and after the pour.
Show the trench and the steel
The order should list trench width, bottom elevation, rebar size, laps, dowels, and any step footing changes. Those items keep a footing quote tied to the actual foundation plan instead of a rough allowance.
Show excavation and return work
Good footing pricing also says who handles excavation, spoil haul-off, inspection waits, and backfill after curing. Those tasks often cost more than the small difference between two ready-mix totals.
Simple Footing Checks Before You Order
Keep the footing plan simple. Check frost depth. Check trench width. Check rebar. Then book concrete.
Check the trench first
If the trench is wet, rocky, or deep, price that work first.
Check access next
Ask how the truck or pump reaches the footing. Ask who pays if the crew must wait.
Common footing planning checkpoints
Use this quick reference as a starting point for footing calculator work. Then adjust for frost depth, soil bearing, and local inspections before you order.
Footing type
Deck post footing
Typical starting size
12-18 in diameter or per plan
Planning note
Small isolated footings still depend on frost depth and tributary load.
Footing type
Continuous wall footing
Typical starting size
16-24 in wide in many residential cases
Planning note
Width often grows with wall thickness, soil bearing, and local code.
Footing type
Column or pier pad footing
Typical starting size
Engineer or load based
Planning note
Pad footings need rebar layout and bearing checks before ordering.
Footing type
Garage or addition footing
Typical starting size
Plan or code driven
Planning note
Check frost depth, wall load, and step locations before you treat it like a simple deck trench.
Footing type
Deep or difficult trench
Typical starting size
Volume plus access plan
Planning note
Wet soil, rock, or limited reach can move labor more than the concrete itself.
Before you order footing concrete
- verify frost depth and bottom elevation.
- verify trench width, depth, and soil bearing.
- verify rebar schedule, dowels, and laps.
- verify whether excavation, spoil haul-off, and backfill are included.
- verify inspection timing before concrete arrives.
- verify ready-mix access or pump plan for the trench.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a concrete footing cost?
Concrete footings often cost $3 to $7 per linear foot for materials. Ready-mix concrete is about $125 to $165 per cubic yard. A standard 20-ft continuous footing that is 2 ft wide and 12 in deep uses about 1.63 cubic yards with 10% waste. That is roughly $200 to $270 for materials.
How deep should a concrete footing be?
Footing depth depends on frost line and load. Many residential footings are 12 to 24 inches deep. Cold regions may need more. The bottom of the footing should stay below the local frost line. Check local code before you dig.
How wide should a concrete footing be?
A common starting rule is twice the wall width. An 8-inch foundation wall often starts with a 16-inch footing. Heavy loads or weak soil can push it wider. Final width should follow the plan or local code.
Do footings need rebar?
Usually yes. Most codes call for rebar in footings. Continuous footings often use two #4 or #5 bars. Pad footings often use a grid. Rebar helps the footing resist soil movement and cracking.
Can I pour footings in cold weather?
Do not pour footings below 40°F (4°C) unless you plan for cold weather work. Contractors often use warm mix water, insulating blankets, or temporary heat. Keep the concrete above 50°F for at least 48 hours so strength can build.
What should I confirm before ordering footing concrete?
A good footing quote should match frost depth, trench width, soil bearing notes, and rebar. It should also say if excavation, spoil haul-off, inspection holds, and pump access are included. Those checks make a footing calculator much safer to use.
Can one footing size work everywhere on the project?
Usually not. Footing width and depth can change with wall load, column load, soil bearing, frost depth, and local code. One simple rule can start the budget. The plan should still control the order.
Why does excavation change footing price so much?
Excavation controls crew time, spoil haul-off, trench safety, and access for concrete placement. A footing with the same concrete volume can still cost much more when the trench is deeper, wet, rocky, or hard to reach.
Should a footing quote list inspection and pump timing?
Yes. Footing work often stops for trench, rebar, or setback inspections. If the site also needs a pump, the quote should say who pays when the truck or crew has to wait for approval.