Can I Do my Own Concrete

[beartoothweb]

Planning my new shop, probably will end up at 40x32 with 3 doors (see attachment).

I've pretty well done every part of construction from framing, drywall, tile setting, etc. The only challenge I haven't tackled is concrete.

At this point, concrete is $6.25/foot here. I know that's not bad compared to other areas, but it represents more than 1/2 the whole project.

I've seen other posts of guys doing their own concrete work here, some with little experience in doing so.

I'm wondering if this is a realistic job most guys like me could handle? There are some DIY reference materials (DVD) out there for building mono slabs. I'm not doing radiant flooring, so it'll just be normal prep work, rebar, then floating and finishing.

If I was able to save $2-3/foot by providing the labor, and since I'm not in a hurry, that would save money for more tools and accessories later.

Just wondering what you guys thought.

Thanks!

 

[PAToyota]

Although I've done everything else in the construction of my garage - poured the foundations; laid the block foundation walls; framed walls, second floor, and roof; shingled; sided; wired; drywalled; and did all the finish work - the two things I didn't do were hang the garage doors and pour the first floor slab.

The garage doors were because the extra for installation was negligible and the guy had them up in an hour and a half whereas I'd have likely still been reading the instructions and inventorying the parts at that point.

The slab because it was just too big of a job to screw up. I've placed concrete for small patios, sidewalks, and such. But I just didn't want to run the risk with the slabs for the shop.

Sure, it isn't out of the realm of possibility. But better to have some people with experience doing it if you want a flat, level floor that you'll be pleased with.

 

[Kevin54]

It's hard work, it's an all day job, it's not fun at all, and if you DON'T know what you are doing and it gets screwed up, it can be a real EXPENSIVE learning experience. Best to bite the bullet, sit back and let the pro's do it. WAY EASIER. I have done it and it is not something I would want to do for a living. I have seen guys attempt it that had no experience, thought it was a piece of cake, then BURY the power trowel they rented. Hell, even a bullfloat can kick some ****. I'd try to shave cost somewhere else and let the concrete guys do the concrete. But that is just my $.02 on it. Once the concrete truck starts dumping, there is no turning back

 

[D KRAGER]

I second that. I've poured sidewalks and such and other small jobs, but you need experience when doing large flatwork. All depends on how picky you are, if you can live with a screw up....

 

[IDASHO]

Do all the prep, buy the mud, and pay somebody to pour and finish.

I did this, and paid just $1 per square foot for labor.

 

[beartoothweb]

Do all the prep, buy the mud, and pay somebody to pour and finish.

I did this, and paid just $1 per square foot for labor.

How did you find your labor? Did you just call around to the different concrete companies and see who would just do the pour and finish? I don't mind doing all the prep work, and mud purchase. Just not sure how to hire the "guys."

 

[Northstar9126]

Are we talking $6.25 per square foot or cubic foot? If square foot you are talking $8,000.00 for the slab. That seems crazy to me. For a 5" slab you are looking at about 20 yards of cement. Figuring $100.00 per yard the cement comes to $2,000.00. Go crazy and figure in another $1,000.00 for rebar, mesh and tool rental and you are only at $3,000.00 to pour it yourself. You save $5,000.00. I absolutely hate to pour cement, it is very physically demanding. But I have never paid anybody to pour cement for me. I have had the misfortune to be involved in pouring dozens of slabs either for myself or helping others. If you can find 3 or 4 guys to help you out for a day you can do it yourself. Obviously it would be best if you could draft into service somebody with a little experience, particularly for finishing. Once you have the site prepared placing the cement, while exhausting, is not rocket science. Getting a good finish is what takes a little experience.

 

[beartoothweb]

Are we talking $6.25 per square foot or cubic foot? If square foot you are talking $8,000.00 for the slab. That seems crazy to me. For a 5" slab you are looking at about 20 yards of cement. Figuring $100.00 per yard the cement comes to $2,000.00. Go crazy and figure in another $1,000.00 for rebar, mesh and tool rental and you are only at $3,000.00 to pour it yourself. You save $5,000.00. I absolutely hate to pour cement, it is very physically demanding. But I have never paid anybody to pour cement for me. I have had the misfortune to be involved in pouring dozens of slabs either for myself or helping others. If you can find 3 or 4 guys to help you out for a day you can do it yourself. Obviously it would be best if you could draft into service somebody with a little experience, particularly for finishing. Once you have the site prepared placing the cement, while exhausting, is not rocket science. Getting a good finish is what takes a little experience.

Now you see my motivation, it's $6.25 per square foot, so yes, almost $8k for the slab. The rest of the materials for the building are $6k.

 

[D KRAGER]

Shop around for a better deal....... Around here labor is usually the cost of materials.... Concrete $2,000 ok maybe another $750 rebar and other stuff. So another 2750 labor. Should be around 5,500. Would be my guess anyways, (central IL). But I've talked with contractors, they are getting big money in the city, they say people are stupid enough to pay it, they are going to charge it!

 

[Mr. Welsh]

An experienced cement worker could not finish a 40'x32' pour by himself.

You could do the job, but you would need the proper tools and knowledgeable friends to help.

I'm assuming you don't want construction joints running across your shop to break it into smaller pours.

 

[beartoothweb]

An experienced cement worker could not finish a 40'x32' pour by himself.

You could do the job, but you would need the proper tools and knowledgeable friends to help.

Agreed, I have lots of friends to help, wouldn't attempt to do this totally on my own.

 

[PAToyota]

Shop around for another price. With the way construction has been lately, you should be able to find a better price than that.

 

[jdub63]

I just finished my slab and here is what I experienced. I called around and found a guy that said he would do the pour and finish work for just $.50 a square foot or $600 for my 30 x 40 slab. But after several attempts to get him started he was a no show. So I called up one of the biggest concrete contractors in Abilene and they showed up the same day to review my work. I had already done all the dirt work and had the pad and footing trench prepared. His quote was twice as high, $1200 or $1 per square foot for the pour and finish, but he included laying in $300 worth of rebar, and finishing my forms and anchor bolt placement and confirming the dimensions. In the end, my forms were off 1/16" on square and one corner had around a 1/4" low spot. I'm glad I didn't do the pour, he had around 10 guys doing the work and they finished in two days. He also ordered all the concrete which means he took responsibility for the calculations and delivery trucks (if the truck gets stuck, you have to pay for the tow). He even had a truck on stand-by in case the first two didn't finish the job. He passed the cost of the concrete ($85 per yard with his discount) to me. My total slab cost just over $3200 not including the sweat for the dirt work. Bottomline, shop around and find a contractor willing to work with you.

 

[beartoothweb]

That's great advice. I'm getting some more bids, and will be exploring having someone just come in and do the finish work. $1200 would be worth it, as it would still save me a ton of money.

 

[Mike83]

My job is to watch contractors pour concrete and I agree with all these thoughts. Finishing is not rocket science, but it is an acquired skill and you don't want to mess it up. I would highly recommend joints in that big slab, otherwise you will have nice random cracks across it. A hired contractor will be able to put the joints in nicely too.

 

[Kevin54]

I have had the misfortune to be involved in pouring dozens of slabs either for myself or helping others.

At least helping others you can say "Sorry guys..gotta run. Wish I could stay and help ya finish"

Now you see my motivation, it's $6.25 per square foot, so yes, almost $8k for the slab. The rest of the materials for the building are $6k.

Maybe where you are at contractors charge a lot more than around here. I had a 32x32 slab poured, a 20x12 slab poured, a 16x20 floor poured with a drain, a foundation layed up, and about 150' of sidewalk (sidewalk all the way around the house) and I was only about $1500-2000 more than what your quote is. I would call around to some other contractors and look in the Yellow Pages under concrete for a contractor or ask the concrete company for some references as to who does concrete flatwork. They should be able to give you a few names. The one that is charging $6.95/sq. ft. may only THINK he is that good. I have seen a lot of contractors that with a little bit of arrogance come a big price tag. Not saying all are like that though.

 

[DanC]

holy **** - I've only read a few posts on this topic but I think I just paid $4.50 square foot for flat work and $21 a square for curb and gutter, did I get hosed??

 

[kbs2244]

jdudb's experience is why I hire it out.
A 1/16 inch and a 1/4 inch on a 30x40 foot slab.
And they caught it.
It is very hard, very dirty, long hour work. And a 1/4 inch will cause a puddle that you will curse the rest of your life.
How remote are you? How much of your price is due to travel?
Do you have some skill to barter with the contractor?
Be creative.

 

[Northstar9126]

holy **** - I've only read a few posts on this topic but I think I just paid $4.50 square foot for flat work and $21 a square for curb and gutter, did I get hosed??

Montana must be a great place to work cement.

 

[Wardster]

I got my slab ready (forms/reinforcing in place) and had someone come out to do the place/finish part and I paid less than $1/sf. This guy also furnished/installed a membrane curing compound at no "additional" cost.

I could not be happier since these guys know when/how to finish the concrete.

-Wardster

 

[rkaiser58]

New Jersey is pretty ridiculous when it comes to labor quotes. I am often forced into doing things myself. Not sure I could do cement work, and I try to stay away from electric. The guys on this site know what they are talking about. Save money on other aspects of the project, and pay someone for the finish work.

 

[Bevis]

I've poured half of my garage floor over a week. Broke it into two pours (14 x 32), with the help of my Dad, and my wife running the chute. I did all the finish work on it myself, as I've done it when I worked for my Uncle.

 

[jimfx4]

Look around for a construction project in your area, like a road wideing or a bridge job. The general contractors hire guys from the union hall to do the concrete work. Stop at the end of the day or at lunch time ask to see the finisher forman, tell what you need almost all those guys do work on the side.
Do your prep work your self and you pay for the mud and cold beer after there done. You can as to see some of there work in the area and make a disicion. I have worked with concrete guys for 30 years most do side work.

 

[FunfDreisig]

Now you see my motivation, it's $6.25 per square foot, so yes, almost $8k for the slab. The rest of the materials for the building are $6k.

Is the $8k quote really for a simple "slab" or does it include 12" wide x 24" deep perimeter beam with 2 #5s top and bottom & #3 stirrups 2' OC? Adding beams increases the cement, steel and labor costs significantly.

FWIW I was quoted $9,100 for a 25x42' 5.5" thick slab with #3s 'woven' 1' OC. But it included a perimeter beam (as above) and 12"x18" cross beams with the same steel spec.

FWIW I think my bid was high so I'm getting more bids and considering doing the site prep, steel, etc. myself.

Funf Dreisig

 

[jimfx4]

Oh and don't try doing on your own unless you have experence wiht large pours. This is hard work and in a matter of minites it can get out of hand. A jod that size you will need 2 good finishers and 4 labors that can help lay it down and work the edges. After its down and bull floated the real work begins. Hand floating and rubbing, I would rent a power finisher to get a super smooth finish.

 

[5wndwcpe]

I've gotten two quotes so far on a 1568' sq. ft. pour and the estimates are both at $2.25 a foot for finishing only. No grading, no re-bar, just finishing.

 

[V-10 Killer]

This thread has helped me realize just how much of a deal my brother gave me last year. He, my brother-in-law, and another guy poured and finished my 1015 sq.ft. slab for $700. He told me he gave me quite a break, but I never realized finishing costs were THAT much!

 

[beartoothweb]

I heard back from one guy today, who says $1500 for the pour/finish work. I'm a web developer, and he might be interested in bartering for some of it for a website, which would be good.

I would do everything but the finish, and get this guy to double check my numbers on gravel and mud, plus double check the forms before the pour.

I'm not that far out. I'm in a rural area, but our whole area is rural, so it's not a trip charge kind of location.

At not much over $1/foot for finish, that might be the way to go, I'll let you know how it progresses, thanks for all the info. I bought a DVD on mono slabs today so that'll help me with all the prep work.

To clarify, this is a slab with footings, like Funf Dreisig described. The bid includes excavation and all of the labor to do the job. Most of that is fairly easy work to do, although the rebar and materials will cost some.

I get a contractor discount at the local building supply place since I also built my own house.

 

[rhandwor]

You need to hire somebody who knows what he's doing and a couple of strong people to wheelbarrow the concrete. With the economy down do some looking around.

 

[brad d]

Do all the prep, buy the mud, and pay somebody to pour and finish.

I did this, and paid just $1 per square foot for labor.

x2 thats what i did.. too much that you can mess up finishing...

mine was 1.25 a sq.ft

 

[brad d]

Well im a bit shocked at some of the higher prices you guys are getting.. you would think with the down turned market they would be begging for work?? In winnipeg we are still booming for some reason (one of the only places in canada where house prices went up from 07-08) And I got ripped for the concrete (225$ per meter/ 180ish per yard) But its not like i can get it from some other city.

 

[kbs2244]

Montana is a big place.
How much of that cost is just trucking fees?
The 2 ends of a concrete project are the most critical.
The from layout foe square and level, markers for any interior slope, etc.
Followed buy a VERY long day of finishing for a slab this size.
I like the idea of talking to the forman of a big job nearby.
In 2 hours after work, a crew of experienced guys can do a lot of work.
Have beer and green paper ready at the end of the day.
You will have a professional job done and you will still have a back that will let you do some framing.

 

[nissan_crawler]

My dad thought he would do his own (this is years ago), and had friends and family lined up waiting. Unfortunately, the trucks were 6 hours late, so when they showed up, it was just my dad and uncle left to do a 40x80, and the trucks already had a 40 minute drive to get there. The first 1/3 of the shop floor was great, the second 1/3 was so-so, and the back 1/3...well, you better not trip, because it's a cheese grater.

Something to think about.