Relatively new homeowner here thats looking to build a new workshop at my house. Based on the space I have the dimensions would be 16’x32′. Now I would say I’m a pretty good DIYer and have full confidence in framing and building the structure itself. However, concrete is a bit of a blind spot in my knowledge.
Essentially I want a solid monolithic foundation with a curb going around the outside for the frame to sit on. Been doing my homework and see prices in my area are around $5.50 to $6.00 a sq foot to have a professional pour the slab.
My question is by the time I buy the concrete, get it delivered, buy form lumber, gravel, re bar, and rent/buy everything I would need from bull float to compactor how much am I really going to be saving? And is it worth a little extra to get a professional quality result or can a DIYer get something passable for a workshop floor?
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You would need at least one experienced finisher. Do NOT try to do this without experienced help. I've doing construction for 40 + years. I'll do form work and manage a concrete job. But I would never attempt to finish a slab that size without a pro finisher or two.
Yeah, would leave this one to the pros. You are right to consider all the tool rentals etc. You probably won’t save much in long run. There’s a lot of issues that can come up. Like the mix being delivered setting up faster than anticipated. A crew of concrete workers can handle these issues a lot easier. You may consider doing excavation/formwork yourself if you have the equipment available as that is a bit more forgiving. Make sure to have the concrete sub take a look at your prep work before the pour, so you aren’t scrambling to correct mistakes (if any) before concrete truck arrives.
Also, code enforcement in my area would not allow for a monolithic slab of this size w/out an engineer approval. You may want to check with that.
If you are keen on doing all the work yourself other methods can be used. Like a properly prepared plywood floor vs concrete slab. If parking cars in the shop this is not an option, but for a shop it works great, I love mine. My shop is well insulated and ply floor is more comfortable to stand on for extended hours of the day.
Agreed, concrete does not have to be the only option. Concrete in the hands of amatuers does not usually end well. A slab this size as a first effort would be very scary. Besides, the environmental costs of concrete are only now beginning to be considered.
I would even say that a plywood floor over a well packed, level base would be OK to drive on, especially with a good floor paint.
Hire someone to do this for you for assurance and cleanliness of the job also, you can ask them to teach you a little bit.
Concrete is magic stuff and it can humble you with it's weight and how quick things can go wrong when it starts to set up.