Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 12, 1999 03:46am | #1

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   Concrete is not rocket science but, if you have not worked with it before, you may want to try a smaller project first. That's a pretty big slab, and it sounds like you are oversimplfying the process a bit.

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   Guest_ | Jun 12, 1999 04:08am | #2

   *Good evening Ryan,On your next posting, it will start;I HAD some friends who were going to help me pour a slab for my patio. Once the concrete arrived, the screaming started and the friends departed.We were able to smooth out half the one side before the concrete set too hard and we couldn't reach the centre at all, except for the raking.Is there a way to "smooth off" hard concrete or do I have to grind it down.PS. We have already adjusted the legs of our patio set to sit fairly level, as long as we don't move them around too much..Ryan: Not all construction jobs are done with muscle and no brains. Save yourself a lot of grief and get the best price you can from qualified contractors, then stand back and admire the work in progress.Gabe

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   Guest_ | Jun 12, 1999 09:15am | #3

   *RyanHelloGabe hit it right on the head, ANDA 7' x 14' x 12" slab w #6 bar, on compacted rock, set half below grade costs me $1,000 if I sub it out, and I have to locate stub ups and anchors. This slab is about 1/3 your volume.IMO get another quote to check your prices then sit back and watch them work. Concrete can be interesting and fun to try at home, but not 1st time on a 22 x 34. If you must attempt it, read voraciously on the subject. The more details you figure out now, the easier and better your job will turn out.Scott

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   Don_Papenburg | Jun 12, 1999 09:25am | #4

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   Ryan, Gabe made some good points. It is aBIG JOB if you have not done it before. DO you have the right tools? Bull float, hand mag and steel ,edger. I would put a road rock under a slab, 4to 6 in.thicker at the edge. that helps to deter the critters from digging and taking up residence.

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   Guest_ | Jun 12, 1999 09:32am | #5

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   A slab that size would be tough to get right without experience. Just off the top of my head it will cost probably a little more than half that price for materials alone. If you do it yourself try to break it up into several smaller pours. Concrete is not very forgiving. Once the truck gets there its all got to be done. Theres no stopping in the middle.

4. 
   Todd_Gamble | Jun 13, 1999 09:14pm | #6

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   I am a concrete contractor in california. We eat sleep and breathe concrete. You are doing flat work. You will need at least 1 qualified finisher on site when you pour. I always use at least 2 inches of subbase material and compact it with a heavy vibraplate and water the death out of it. The watered subase will buy you some time on the finish. Watch the sun. Get your subgrades right on the money your right on the edge of a full load and you don't want to come up short. Maybe you should consider subcontracting the finish. It sounds like the bid you got is a fair price.

5. 
   Ryan_Alexander | Jun 14, 1999 09:16am | #7

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   I am planning a 22x34 concrete patio in South Carolina, and have one estimate for $2600. I am debating trying it myself with the help of some friends. I want find as much info as possible to be sure I don't have a 50 ton monument to my mistakes sitting in the yard. I am confident I can build the forms at the proper slant for surface drainage, but do I need gravel underneath? The contractor said compacting the soil would be fine. How do I determine where to put the control joints? It seems simple enough:
   excavate
   compact the ground
   build the forms
   install wire mess on bricks
   pour & level the concrete
   broom the surface
   Am I overlooking something? I realize it will be labor intensive, but I can get labor. I need the guidance

6. 
   Guest_ | Jun 14, 1999 09:16am | #8

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   Ryan,

   Was your bid with or without site work? You should be able to get the site level, tamped, and formed and lay out any necessary mesh and rebar. I would not, however, attempt to finsh this much concrete by myself. Concrete finishing is an art. It is more than simply placing, leveling, and brooming. You have to be able to read the concrete as it sets up so you will know when to do what and then you have to be able to get your wrist to make the floats to do what they are supposed to do (and looks so simple) when you are out on it. Talk to your cement contractor about site prep options that might reduce your cost.

   Steve

   PS, We put 50 yards in footings this week. The crew was experienced. Even so, the mud almost got away from us. Fortunately, our "finish" work will be back filled.