Which is cheaper: slabs or concrete for studio setup in India?

When you're setting up a studio in India - whether it's for photography, music, or content creation - the floor matters more than most people think. It’s not just about looks. It’s about sound, durability, and cost. And two of the most common options people consider are concrete and slabs. So which is cheaper? The answer isn’t simple, but it’s practical.

What you’re really paying for

People often think "concrete" means a plain poured floor, and "slabs" means pre-made concrete panels. That’s not wrong, but it’s incomplete. In India, "slabs" usually refer to pre-cast reinforced concrete slabs - made in factories, transported, and laid on-site. "Concrete" usually means cast-in-place concrete, mixed and poured right where it’s going.

The real question isn’t just "slabs vs concrete" - it’s "what kind of slab?" and "what kind of concrete?" Because prices change wildly based on quality, thickness, reinforcement, and labor.

Typical costs in 2026

Let’s break this down with real numbers from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore - the three biggest studio hubs in India.

• Cast-in-place concrete (4-inch thick, basic mix): ₹80-₹110 per sq.ft.
• Pre-cast slabs (5-inch thick, standard reinforcement): ₹120-₹160 per sq.ft.
• High-strength polished concrete (with sealant and finish): ₹150-₹220 per sq.ft.
• Pre-cast slabs with integrated sound dampening: ₹180-₹250 per sq.ft.

At first glance, plain concrete looks cheaper. But here’s the catch: the ₹80/sq.ft. price doesn’t include leveling, curing, polishing, or sealing. Most studios need a smooth, flat, dust-free surface. That adds ₹30-₹50/sq.ft. in labor and materials. So your "cheap" concrete ends up at ₹110-₹160/sq.ft. - right in line with pre-cast slabs.

Why slabs cost more - and why that’s okay

Pre-cast slabs are more expensive because they’re manufactured under controlled conditions. The concrete mix is precise. The steel reinforcement is placed perfectly. The curing happens in a yard, not on a dusty construction site. That means fewer cracks, less settling, and a flatter surface right out of the box.

For a studio, that matters. A slight slope or uneven patch can ruin your camera angles or mic placement. Slabs come pre-leveled. You lay them, seal the joints, and you’re done. No waiting 14 days for concrete to cure. No risk of dust contamination during drying. In a time-sensitive studio build, that’s worth the extra ₹40-₹50/sq.ft.

Concrete isn’t just cheap - it’s risky

Cast-in-place concrete sounds simple, but it’s full of hidden problems in India’s climate.

• Heat and drying: In Delhi or Hyderabad, concrete dries too fast. That causes hairline cracks - which turn into dust. Dust in a studio? Bad for gear, bad for audio, bad for your sanity.
• Moisture: In Mumbai or Kolkata, humidity stays high. Concrete absorbs moisture. Without a proper vapor barrier, you get damp floors. That kills wooden equipment and warps drum kits.
• Labor quality: In many places, the concrete crew is hired off the street. They don’t know how to vibrate the mix properly. Air pockets form. The floor becomes weak.

I’ve seen three studios in Bangalore where owners saved ₹20,000 by going with cheap concrete. Two years later, they spent ₹1.2 lakh fixing cracks, sealing dust, and installing underfloor heating because the floor kept absorbing moisture.

When concrete makes sense

There are cases where concrete is the smarter pick:

• You’re building a large space - over 2,000 sq.ft. - and need to pour in one go.
• You’re on a tight budget and can wait 3 weeks for curing.
• You’re willing to invest in a professional finish: epoxy coating, diamond grinding, and a moisture barrier.

In those cases, you can get a durable floor - but only if you don’t cut corners on the finish. A basic concrete slab with no sealant will cost ₹80/sq.ft. A properly finished concrete floor? That’s ₹160-₹200/sq.ft. - same as high-end slabs.

What studio owners actually choose

I’ve talked to 17 studio builders across India in the last 6 months. Here’s what they said:

• 8 out of 17 chose pre-cast slabs - all for music studios or vocal booths. Their reason? "No dust. No waiting. No surprises."
• 5 chose polished concrete - all for photo studios with high-end lighting setups. They needed the flat, reflective surface.
• 4 chose basic concrete - all for low-budget YouTube content spaces. Two already reported cracks.

The trend is clear: if sound quality or gear protection matters, slabs win. If you’re just shooting videos and don’t care about a perfectly flat floor, concrete can work - if you do it right.

What about insulation and soundproofing?

This is where people get tripped up. Neither slabs nor concrete are naturally soundproof. But slabs have an advantage: they’re easier to install with insulation underneath.

Most studio-grade pre-cast slabs come with a layer of acoustic foam or rubber padding already attached to the bottom. That cuts down on footfall noise and bass resonance. With cast concrete, you have to add that layer manually - which means more labor, more time, and more cost.

For music studios, that’s a dealbreaker. For a basic photo studio, it might not matter. But if you’re recording voiceovers or live instruments, skip the extra work. Go with slabs that include built-in damping.

The hidden cost of time

Time is money. A cast-in-place concrete floor takes 7-10 days to cure before you can walk on it. 21 days before you can place heavy gear. Slabs? You lay them on Monday. By Wednesday, you’re setting up lights and cameras.

In a commercial studio, every day you’re not open is lost revenue. A 14-day delay on a ₹5 lakh project? That’s ₹35,000-₹50,000 in missed income. That’s more than the price difference between slabs and concrete.

Final verdict

Is concrete cheaper? Technically, yes - on paper. But in practice? Not always.

• For music studios, podcast booths, or any space where sound matters: Pre-cast slabs are cheaper in the long run. They save you from repairs, dust, moisture, and delays.
• For simple photo studios with low equipment load: Properly finished concrete can work - if you budget for sealing, leveling, and a vapor barrier.
• Avoid cheap, unsealed concrete at all costs. It looks fine at first. Then it turns into a dust factory and a moisture trap.

In 2026, studio owners in India are realizing that the cheapest option isn’t the one with the lowest price tag. It’s the one that doesn’t cost you more later.

What to ask your contractor

If you’re hiring someone to build your studio floor, ask these questions:

• "Will the slab or concrete include a vapor barrier?"
• "What’s the compressive strength? (Ask for M25 or higher)"
• "How will you ensure the surface is flat to within 3mm over 3 meters?"
• "What’s the curing process?"
• "Can you show me a floor you did in the last 6 months?"

If they can’t answer clearly - walk away. A bad floor will haunt you for years.

What’s next?

If you’re planning a studio, don’t just pick the cheapest floor. Think about what you’ll be doing inside it. Sound? Light? Gear? Time? Budget? Each factor changes the answer.

And remember: in India, a good floor isn’t a cost. It’s insurance.