Concrete pads: for generators, hot tubs, heat pumps and sheds
Free site visit and a written quote for a pad sized to what sits on it, poured level on a compacted base.
- Sized to the unit and its manual
- Compacted gravel base, 4,000 psi air-entrained mix
- We call 811 before we dig
What each pad needs
- Standby generators
- Many home standby units ship with a composite pad. If your installer, your town or the unit’s manual calls for concrete, Generac’s mounting guidance is a slab about 5 inches thick that extends 3 inches past the unit on every side. Your installer sets the location and clearances.
- Hot tubs
- A filled tub with people in it is a heavy, concentrated load. Most manufacturers call for a flat, level concrete pad; we pour to the thickness and size in your tub’s manual.
- Heat pumps and AC units
- A small pad that keeps the outdoor unit level and above standing water and snow melt. Many installers use plastic pads; concrete is the permanent option.
- Sheds
- A slab gives a shed a dry, flat floor. Check your town’s zoning setbacks first; larger sheds can need a permit.
How we pour a pad
- Site visit. We measure the unit or its spec sheet, check the ground and access, and put the price in writing.
- Call Before You Dig. We call 811 at least two full business days before excavating.
- Base. Dig out, then place and compact processed gravel.
- Form and pour. Forms set level or with a slight pitch for drainage, then 4,000 psi air-entrained concrete.
- Cure. We tell you when the pad can take the load; the installer sets the unit after that.
Small pours cost more per square foot than big ones, because the truck, crew and setup are the same. Pairing a pad with a walkway or patio job spreads that cost.
Questions we hear about concrete pads
Does a Generac generator need a concrete pad?
Not always. Many home standby units ship with a composite pad. If your installer or town wants concrete, Generac’s guidance is a slab about 5 inches thick that extends 3 inches past the unit on each side.
How thick should a hot tub pad be?
Follow your tub’s manual. Most call for a flat, level concrete pad able to carry the full weight of the filled tub with people in it, and we pour to that spec.
Can you pour just one small pad?
Yes. Expect a higher price per square foot than a big slab, because the setup is the same. Adding it to another job lowers the cost.
Do I need a permit for a shed pad?
It depends on the town and the shed size. Zoning setbacks apply either way, so check with your town before you pick the spot.
Free concrete pad estimates
Call or send the estimate ticket. We set a time to see the site and put the price in writing.