Guides / Lifts and parking
How thick does your slab need to be for a car lift?
Typical numbers. Your lift's install manual has the final say.
Short answer
Most 10,000 lb lifts need at least 4 in of 3,000 PSI concrete, fully cured, with no cracks near the posts.
The four checks
| Check | Typical requirement | If it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | At least 4 in | Pour a reinforced pad, about $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Strength | 3,000 PSI | Get it checked before you anchor, especially pre-1990 concrete |
| Cure | 28 days after pouring | Wait before you anchor |
| Cracks | None within about a foot of each post | Move the posts or fix the slab |
How to measure it
Measure at an exposed slab edge, or drill a small test hole where a post would go, away from any rebar. Measure from the surface to the bottom of the concrete.
Not sure? The calculator won't clear any lift until you know. We do that on purpose. A lift on a thin slab can pull its anchors.