Concrete Slabs in Ocala, FL

Concrete slabs are the flat pads that everything else sits on: sheds, detached garages, carports, RVs, boats, trailers, generators, hot tubs and farm buildings. In Marion County that list runs long. The county has more than 1,200 horse farms, about 900 of them Thoroughbred farms covering some 77,000 acres, and Ocala bills itself as the Horse Capital of the World. Alongside slabs for suburban homes, we pour pads for barns, wash racks, feed rooms, trailer parking and equipment.

Sizing a slab to its load

Not every slab is the same. HomeGuide prices a 4-inch slab at $6 to $8 per square foot and a 6-inch slab at $8 to $10. The right thickness depends on what the slab carries.

• Shed and hot tub pads: usually 4 inches, with thickened edges if the shed is heavy.
• Generator pads: small slabs set to the manufacturer's size and clearances.
• Garage and carport slabs: 4 inches or more, with thickened perimeter footings under the walls or posts.
• RV, boat and trailer pads: 6 inches is a safer choice where heavy axles sit.
• Barn aisles and wash racks: thicker sections, reinforcement and a textured finish for hooves.

Tell us exactly what will sit on the slab. A slab that is fine for a lawn mower shed will crack under a loaded horse trailer.

The ground underneath

Ocala sits on the Ocala Limestone, a formation named after the city that lies at or near the surface across the Ocala Karst District. The sandy soil above it drains quickly, which is good for slabs, but sand that has not been compacted will settle under load. We strip sod and organic soil, cut out roots, fill low spots with base material and compact it in layers. If we find a soft area or a depression that keeps settling, we will point it out before we pour over it.

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What a slab job involves

Layout and grade. We square the slab, set the finished height and plan slope so water runs off. A slab under a building is usually close to level. A pad in the open gets a slight fall to one side.

Base. Excavation, base material and compaction.

Forms and footings. Thickened edges or footings go where walls, posts or anchors will sit. If a building will be bolted down, we set anchor bolts in the right spots during the pour.

Vapor barrier. Under an enclosed garage or workshop, a plastic vapor barrier helps keep ground moisture from coming up through the floor. That matters in Ocala's humidity.

Reinforcement. Wire mesh or rebar, set at the right depth on chairs.

Pour, finish and joints. Smooth for a garage or shop floor, broom for an outdoor pad, rougher for a barn aisle. Control joints are cut so cracks stay in the joints.

Curing. In summer heat, curing starts as soon as the finish is done.

Building permits for slabs

A slab under a building, such as a garage, carport or larger shed, is often tied to a building permit for the structure. In unincorporated areas that goes through Marion County Building Safety, and inside the city through the City of Ocala. We check what your project needs before we schedule.

Access on rural properties

Concrete trucks are heavy. On farms and acreage we look at the route from the road to the slab, gate widths, soft ground and overhead wires. If the truck cannot reach the slab, a pump or buggies may be needed, which adds cost, and we list it on the quote.