A slab sized for what's going on it.
A pad for an AC unit and a slab for a detached garage are very different jobs. Thickness, reinforcement and edge design all depend on the load, so the first question is always what the slab will hold.
Common slab projects
- Shed and outbuilding slabs: level, square and sized to the building's footprint
- Garage and workshop slabs: thicker, with thickened edges where the walls sit
- Equipment pads: HVAC condensers, standby generators, pool equipment
- RV, boat and trailer parking: thicker sections built for heavy tires and jacks
- Basketball and play courts: smooth finish, laid out for the court lines
Getting the base right
On clay soil, a slab with no stone base or a poorly compacted one is the most common reason sheds start leaning and garage floors crack. The subgrade gets compacted, a stone base goes down, and then reinforcement before the pour.
Building on it
If your slab is for a building that needs a permit, the slab usually has to match what's on the approved plans, including thickness and any footings. Bring your plans to the estimate and the slab is quoted to match.