Concrete cost guide
Concrete Sidewalk Cost
A concrete sidewalk costs about $6 to $12 per square foot installed for a plain broom finish, with replacement work running $8 to $18 per square foot once demolition is included. A standard 3-foot-wide, 40-foot-long walk (120 sq ft) lands around $720 to $1,440 new.
Sidewalks are narrow, which makes forming and finishing a larger share of the cost than the concrete itself. This guide covers thickness, joints, and the DIY-with-bags option for short runs. For small sections, the bag calculator estimates how many bags you need.
Need project-specific numbers? Use the Concrete Sidewalk Cost Calculator.
Last updated June 10, 2026
Typical Cost Ranges
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New sidewalk | $6-$12/sq ft | Plain broom finish |
| Sidewalk replacement | $8-$18/sq ft | Includes demolition range |
| Small DIY bag job | $5-$9/sq ft materials | Bags, forms, gravel, sealer |
What Drives the Cost
- Width and length: Narrow walks cost more per square foot than open slabs because forming both edges and finishing happen over a small area.
- Thickness: Four inches suits pedestrian walks; thicken to 5 to 6 inches anywhere vehicles will cross, such as at a driveway apron.
- Base and forms: A compacted gravel base and clean forms drive durability; tree roots and uneven ground add prep cost.
- Joints: Expansion and control joints at regular spacing prevent random cracking and are part of any quality install.
- Removal: Tearing out and hauling old sidewalk, plus saw cutting clean edges, is the main reason replacement costs more than new.
How To Estimate It
- Sidewalk area = length x width
- Bags = cubic yards x bags per yard
Should you DIY a sidewalk with bags?
For short sections — a few squares to a garden path — bagged concrete is practical and avoids ready-mix delivery and short-load fees. You control the pace and can pour one form at a time.
For longer runs, mixing dozens of bags by hand is slow and risks inconsistent batches and cold joints between sections that set at different times. Past roughly 40 to 50 bags, ready-mix is usually faster, more consistent, and competitive on price.
Why replacement costs more than new
Replacing a sidewalk adds saw cutting to create clean edges, breaking up the old slab, and hauling heavy debris to disposal. Those steps can add $2 to $6 per square foot on top of the new pour, which is why replacement quotes look high relative to the per-foot price of fresh concrete.
FAQs
How thick should a concrete sidewalk be?
Four inches is common for pedestrian sidewalks. Thicker sections may be needed where vehicles cross.
Can I pour a sidewalk with bags?
Yes for small sections. For long sidewalks, ready-mix is usually faster and more consistent.
How much does a sidewalk cost to replace?
Replacement typically runs $8 to $18 per square foot because it includes saw cutting, demolition, and hauling the old concrete away.
How many bags of concrete for a sidewalk?
Estimate the volume in cubic yards, add 10% waste, and multiply by about 45 for 80 lb bags. The bag calculator does this from your dimensions.
Do sidewalks need expansion joints?
Yes. Control and expansion joints at regular spacing direct shrinkage cracking into clean lines and isolate the walk from adjoining structures.