Concrete Contractors in Central VA

[Hamball44]

First of all, new member here. I found this forum a while back and have been amazed at the information it contains!

I'm planning on building a 24x40x10 pole barn next spring and am looking for a good concrete contractor for the floor. I've contacted a few companies and have only gotten 1 quote back so far for $6,500 which I thought seemed a little on the high side.

All I'm looking for is a basic 4" reinforced (WWF) slab with stone subbase, probably 3,500 psi.

Does anyone have any personal experience in the Central Virginia area (around Richmond) with a concrete contractor they've used that they would recommend?

 

[Sevenhills1952]

We're in South Central Virginia and very happy with our recent concrete people but they may not go that far. PM sent.

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[Hamball44]

Got it, thanks!

 

[vavet]

I used a GC for my garage build. He sub’d concrete to Kelly’s Concrete. That about 3 years ago. It’s been fine.

 

[kj_mustang]

Before you think its too high a quote, call a local concrete company to see what they charge for a yard of 3,500 psi. I am near Harrisonburg and my last concrete job over a year ago cost me $130 a yard for 4,000 psi. You need about 12 - 12.5 yards.

 

[ddurrett896]

I’m in SE VA and poured 1,000sqft slab + filled 2 courses of Block.

Was like $3,500 in concrete and friends crew $1,500. You’re not too far off.

 

[ConCretin]

The selection of a contractor to place your slab is arguably the most important one you'll make when you build a garage. You literally get one chance to get it right. Get it wrong and the consequences will haunt you every day you spend in your garage.

It's easy to say but I'd recommend focusing more on finding the right contractor than on cost. Is $6,500 a little high? Maybe, but the guy was apparently responsive enough to return your call. As you've started to realize, the market is booming and good contractors are very difficult to find.

Give my Guide to Floor Slabs in the link below a read for some ideas of what you want and some questions you should ask. If this guy doesn't seem like a fit, keep looking until you find the right guy even if he's a few bucks more.

 

[Hamball44]

Thanks for all of the responses so far. I agree that the $6500 isn't too far off and that cost isn't everything, but I'm a civil engineer by trade and have to over-analyze everything...lol

 

[JoeMcGov]

For a 4" slab I did a quick series of calculations (no under slab stone or vapor barrier) threw in $350 to do some control joint saw cutting. I came to $7,257 using $40/hour for labor and a calculated profit % of 15.

And just let me remind again. If you (OP) don't take the time to do a written scope of work for your contractors to quote then you're heading for disappointment as "circumstances" write that scope of work for you.........as the work progresses.

 

[Hot shot]

I have a 46x28 garage
4” thick
3500psi
Can’t remember exactly how many yards but it was around 7000-7500
Like llwillysfan said I had to wait 5 weeks before they could get to me
Once the weather breaks in April concrete people are slammed (good ones that is)