I had a tree taken down in my back yard (Palm, with root removed)and I was considering extending my patio. The dimensions are 9 x 24, est 3 yrds of concrete. The location is about 80 ft back from the street. What is the best option for getting the concrete poured?
Get a crew in
Have it pumped in
Rent a mixer and DIY?
All advice appreciated.
Mike
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I think in this case, 'best' is relative to budget.
Bagged concrete and a mixer will take far too long and be expensive. Call up the short load truck, Out here they want $100/ yd for 6 sack and $150 show up fee. Get some friends with wheelbarrows and have them cart it to the back for you. I have a longer approach that 80' but only have about 1.5 yards and thats my tactic.
ML
Level the site. Build a seriously strong form. Don't plan anything else for dates and times until it's completed and inspected.
Find and hire a genuine concrete finisher for the day.
Rent a motorized concrete buggy.
Get two reliable friends to help out. Tell them that wheelbarrows will NOT be involved, that the mildly stenuous work will be done in an hour and that you'll all learn alot, working with the professional finisher.
Find out what each person's favorite cold drink and sandwich is ahead of time and be sure that they're on hand.
Hire it out, let somebody else worry on how to do it
Forget the mixing scenario. It'll take too long. Friends and wheel barrows have worked for me before. Although on my next project I'll probably use a motorized buggy.