Replies

1. 
   FrankB89 | Jul 19, 2003 07:13pm | #1

   Good list, and I concur, but if I'm not doing the concrete, but doing the framing, I prefer to set my own anchors when feasable. 

    

1. 
   Boxduh | Jul 19, 2003 07:50pm | #2

   My guy, and he ain't any longer, did none of this, and worst of all, completely wiped out my schedule by doing a two week job, maximum, in over two months.

1. 
   FrankB89 | Jul 20, 2003 07:46am | #6

   I guess I'm fortunate because, among several concrete guys in our small local market, there are a couple who are top notch.  I do some concrete work (only when I have to) so I know what's reasonable to expect as far as meeting specs, square and level and plumb and a finished job that is professional, even if a lot of it will be back-filled and never seen again.

   I was somewhat taken aback reading a thread here a year or so ago about the tolerances that many found acceptable for foundations.  To me, it's totally reasonable to be within 1/4" overall level on even a large residential foundation and within 3/8" to 1/2" of square (If I can do it, most anyone can).  But I saw postings about 1 1/2" being acceptable for square and level; huh?  Maybe for a tract home or a mobile pad.

   And my excavation sub is far and away the best I've ever seen:  Shows up to a job with well-maintained equipment, good operators;  it's like watching a ballet to see a big excavator, a couple of skidsteers, a compactor and roller, and a dumptruck all working together to knock out a dig and have it ready for formwork in a matter of hours.

   And, yeah, the GC is responsible, but if I'm GC'ing a job with the crews mentioned above, no babysitting is required....I'm usually around to make site decisions about drainage or with the 'crete guys, to verify dimensions, make sure rebar is according to plan, and, as I mentioned before, set anchors. (having a laborer on a concrete crew who has never layed a mudsill or lined up seismic anchor bolts is a recipe for some headaches for the framing crew).

   The GC has final responsibility for all phases of a project and should be on top of the worksmanship of all phases, but it's great to have reliable subs that other subs are happy to follow and that are capable of making good site decisions if the GC is not around. 

1. 
   brownbagg | Jul 20, 2003 05:35pm | #7

   life is different in other regions, around here, Concrete crew only place mud. No forming, no digging, no layout, no rebar.

   GC does own layout,  his labor crew does forming and rebar.

   Excuvation crew does digging and compaction, Then I come in and check soil reguirement. GC crew will form and rebar, Then I,m back to check rebar placement, then county follows me and check permits.

   Concrete crew place mud, I,m back again to check concrete requirements. Then unless there parking area or additional concrete work I move to next project.

   GC does 90 % of labor and hires out other

2. 
   MisterT | Jul 19, 2003 10:12pm | #3

   You forgot the part where he gets everything he asked Santa for, for X-mas.

   And the tooth fairy always leaves his kids silver dollars.

   And he rides a white stallion to the job and is gone in a flash and a hearty HIGH HO SILVER!!!

   Mr T

   Do not try this at home!

   I am an Experienced Professional!

1. 
   brownbagg | Jul 19, 2003 11:46pm | #4

   around here a good concrete guy, they all show up in the same vehicle. all that stuff on that list is what the general does. concrete guy just place the mud, they do no how to hold a hammer.

3. 
   andybuildz | Jul 20, 2003 04:57am | #5

   Micro

        I totally agree.....what BB says is only half right. The GC works "along side" the concrete and excavation guy to be sure all is proper.

      I'm up to that point right now, or will be in a  cpl of weeks. Amazes me how the only excavation and concrete guys that get back to me sound like shysters.

    Finally found a guy (excavator and demo) I really like and relate to....He's getting back to me in a cpl of days with his favorite concrete guy whom he claims is really good and real reasonable.

    the two need to go hand in hand .Excavators and concrete form guys along with me the contractor/ builder.

    As a builder you need to work hand in hand especially when it comes to excavation and crete. 

    You know what they say about the foundation don't ya? Thats something hard to fix!

   Be hard

              a

    

    

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4. 
   Schelling | Jul 20, 2003 05:57pm | #8

   We have a couple of concrete guys who do most of what you call for. One of them also does excavation as well and that is who we use if we can.

   That said, things do not always work out. Mistakes are made and depending on the foreman on the job, quality can suffer. As a GC, you can ride these guys but usually this is unnecessay or in the long run counter-productive. If you are clear about what you want and then trust the sub to do his job, things usually work out pretty well. We often have to make adjustments at the sill level of the framing, usually because we want the framing to be perfect at the start. If you do this it is about as easy to make an adjustment of an inch as it is 1/4".  It would be great if the foundation was perfect, but I would rather have it done on time, on budget and with work that is acceptable to us and the sub.

1. 
   Boxduh | Jul 20, 2003 07:10pm | #9

   I like it to be done professionally, by those that take pride in their work.  For line, +/-1/4 is preferable, and for grade, my framer likes to see the same.

   What really busted me on this job recently completed by a guy I was recommended to and whom I will never use again, was the awful fragmented way he did the job, jumping in and out for over two months, and relying on me to supervise his workers, because he was never there.

   What is really bad is how I had to treat my excavator, who happens to be his father-in-law, with a discontinuous in-out backfill schedule, just so I could get to some semblance of completion, so as to begin framing.

1. 
   MisterT | Jul 26, 2003 01:37pm | #10

   How's this for a good concrete man...

   We had a big storm Monday,  so power was out at the crete plant

   So the creteman says they will be getting it from a different place.

   "Can we use that window box tomorrow?"

   "Yeah why?"

   "This Place has good crete, but thier trucks are all in pretty bad shape, so we might need to put some cardboard down on the driveway if he is leaking"Mr T

   Do not try this at home!

   I am an Experienced Professional!