What we take off
| Element | Measured as | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous and spread footings | CY, LF, forms SF | Depth to local frost line, steps, keyways |
| Foundation and basement walls | CY, SF of forms each face | Brick ledges, pilasters, window bucks, waterproofing |
| Drilled piers and caissons | CY, LF, each | Depth and bell from geotech, casing allowance |
| Slab on grade | SF, CY | Thickness, vapor retarder, base course, joints, finishing |
| Elevated slabs and decks | SF, CY | Metal deck fill or formed, shoring |
| Flatwork | SF, LF | Sidewalks, drives, curbs, aprons |
| Reinforcing | Tons, SF of mesh | By bar size, laps, dowels, accessories |
| Accessories | LF, each | Anchor bolts, embeds, expansion joints, sealants |
Kansas conditions that change concrete quantities
Frost depth
Footings must bear below the frost line set by the local code. Frost depth commonly runs about 30 inches in the Wichita area and 36 inches or more in northeast Kansas. A takeoff that assumes a generic 24-inch footing in Overland Park can understate concrete, excavation and wall height across the whole foundation.
Expansive clay
Eastern Kansas clays shrink and swell with moisture. Engineers respond with drilled piers, grade beams over void forms, thicker post-tensioned or structural slabs, and over-excavation with select fill. Those details change concrete volumes dramatically, so we always read the geotechnical report. See our clay soils and foundation cost guide.
Freeze-thaw exposure
Kansas exterior concrete goes through many freeze-thaw cycles each winter and is exposed to deicing salts. Specifications commonly call for air-entrained mixes and higher strength for exterior flatwork. We price the specified mix, and cold-weather protection when the schedule puts pours in winter.
Ready-mix logistics
In the metro and Wichita, ready-mix is competitive and close. In rural and western Kansas, plants can be far apart and many charge minimum-load and distance fees. We price short loads, pump trucks and travel time realistically.
Pricing concrete work
Priced estimates include material by mix design, placing and finishing labor by crew productivity, formwork material and labor by reuse, pump and equipment, rebar fabrication and placing, curing and protection, and testing allowances where the contractor carries them.
Related resources
Quick checks: concrete calculator. Connected trades: sitework and excavation and masonry. Contractors in Lawrence and the metro will find the clay soils guide especially relevant.
Frequently asked questions
How deep are footings in Kansas?
It depends on the local code. Frost depth is commonly about 30 inches in south-central Kansas and 36 inches or more around Kansas City, Lawrence and Topeka. Check with the building department for your project city.
What waste factor do you use for concrete?
Typically 3 to 5 percent for formed elements and elevated decks, 5 to 8 percent for slabs on grade, and 8 to 12 percent for earth-formed footings and drilled piers in clay. We show the factor on every line.
Do you include rebar in concrete takeoffs?
Yes. Reinforcing is taken off by bar size and converted to weight, with laps, chairs, dowels and mesh listed separately.