Concrete Footings Cost Calculator (Ontario): real numbers, fewer surprises
Footings aren’t glamorous. But they’re the first place budgets go sideways—because a “simple trench” turns into thicker sections, deeper digs, pump time, rebar, forming lumber, and a concrete crew waiting while someone hunts for a missing tape measure. This calculator is built to give you a realistic cost range for footings and pads, using practical assumptions and a clean breakdown.
What this calculator does
- Footings + pads (multiple entries) in imperial or metric.
- Concrete strength (MPA) and delivery add-ons (conveyor / pump).
- Rebar option (if you want it included) with a simple estimating rule built in.
- Clear breakdown: concrete, rebar, forming lumber, labor, HST.
Tip: Use this early, before you finalize drawings. A small footing change can ripple into excavation, concrete volume, forming, and schedule.
What to have ready
For footings
- Total length (linear feet or meters)
- Width + depth (inches or cm)
For pads
- Length + width + depth (inches/cm)
If you’re guessing: start conservative. It’s easier to trim a budget than explain a surprise.
Concrete Footings Cost Calculator
Wide layout • embedded exactly as provided
Why footing costs matter more than people think
One of the easiest places to blow a budget
Your footings are the literal starting line of the build—everything else stacks on top of them. If the footing cost is wrong, your whole “early budget” is wrong. And it’s rarely just concrete volume. Access affects whether you need a conveyor or pump. Soil conditions affect trench shape, depth, and how much forming is required. And once you factor in rebar, forming lumber, labor, and HST, the “cheap footing” myth usually disappears pretty fast.
A good footing estimate also helps you compare quotes properly. If one quote is missing pump time or underestimates rebar, it might look like a bargain until the first change order shows up. Use this calculator as a sanity check—then confirm final requirements with your designer/engineer and local building department.
FAQ
Quick answers (so you can get back to building)
What dimensions should I use—finished sizes or excavation sizes? +
Use the concrete dimensions (width and depth of the actual footing/pad), not the trench width. If you’re not sure yet, start with typical footing dimensions from your plans/engineering notes, then refine.
If your trench is wider than the concrete, that’s excavation cost—not concrete cost.
Does this include frost walls or foundation walls? +
No—this page is focused on footings and pads. Walls are a separate animal (more concrete, more forming, more steel, waterproofing, insulation, etc.).
What’s the 5% waste factor for? +
Real sites aren’t perfect. Trench bottoms aren’t laser-flat, forms bow a little, and concrete doesn’t come with a “pause button.” A small waste factor prevents “we’re short half a yard” moments.
When do I need a pump (or conveyor)? +
If the truck can’t safely reach the pour area or the chute can’t get close enough, you’re into conveyor or pump territory. Tight lots, long reaches, obstacles, or steep grades are common triggers.
Does rebar “always” go in footings? +
Many footings use rebar, but requirements vary by design loads, soil, and engineering. If your drawings call for it, check “rebar needed” and pick the gauge so it shows up in the estimate.
How accurate is the result? +
It’s a planning estimate. It’s excellent for budgeting and comparing scenarios (wider footing, deeper pad, pump vs no pump). Your final price still depends on site access, schedule, supplier minimums, and engineering details.
Why does the same footing cost more on one site than another? +
Access, soil, water, and logistics. The concrete might be identical, but the time to form, place, and finish can double. A “simple” footing on a tight lot can cost more than a bigger footing on a wide-open site.
More calculators (same no-nonsense style)
Jump to another tool — estimates go faster when you’ve got the right calculator in front of you.
Scroll sideways to see more. Cards stay the same height (no messy uneven rows).