Concrete Slab Quote

[wildman163]

Hi everyone,

I know there are a lot of variables involved etc. but I got a quote for a concrete foundation only which kinda took me aback. I thought it may help others to have a detailed quote to compare to theirs (as well as me obviously).

Some relevant info:

I’m located in central VA.
Slab is as described in the quote:

1408 Sq. Ft. of 3500psi 4" Concrete Slab (32' x 44') smooth finish

152 L. Ft of 3500psi 8" x 8" Thicken Concrete Edge (exposed slab edge)

152 L. Ft of 3500psi 24" x 12" Concrete Footing

1408 Sq. Ft. of Welded Wire Mesh - 6X6 2.9 WWF

1408 Sq. Ft. of Poly - 6 mil under slab

1 Concrete Pump for Slab Pour(s) $1000

Allowance for each 26 Tons of Gravel - min 4" Under Slab(s)

1 Mini Excavator (digging of trench for footing/turndown) 1 Skid Steer (gravel placement and leveling)

Saw-Cut Control Joints as Needed Expansion Joints as Needed

That’s pretty much it. I was quoted $30k which is 2x what I thought it might cost. Just wondering if I could get any feedback from others as to if this is about what I should expect or if it was priced to price me out. I’m reaching out to some other sources as well.

Thanks!

 

[hydrojim]

I recently paid about $9k for 864 sq ft of 8" concrete. 4500 psi, supposedly fiber reinforced. Early entry control joints. I also needed a concrete pump.

However, there was minimal formwork required and I did all the backfill, compaction, rebar, and vapor barrier.

I felt the quote was on the higher end for placing 20 yards of concrete, but they were the only crew that seemed to know what they were doing. I think they did ok. Not the best, but it was a really hot day. I had a quote as low as $4.5k but to be honest the concrete itself would have cost me close to $4k on its own, so that quote was pretty suspect.

Whatever you decide, I'd ask for actual rebar. You might also consider going more than 4" thick depending on what your planned used for the floor is.

 

[wildman163]

Thanks for the info. That seems to be a little more in line with what I was “expecting” I guess.

I should add that the prep work I expect to be fairly minimal. I could likely do it my self as the ground is flat (I’d guess within a few degrees) but I have just never done that type of work before. My excavation experience is really on the lines of “move this to over there, and make it look flat”

Use of the slab is for a shop/garage. I might ultimately set a car lift and some small machining equipment (3 axis mill, lathe, etc.).

Thanks!

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Get at least 3 quotes and references. Check the references.

Once you do that, you'll know.

Good luck!

 

[NDJ]

Given my recent experience Id be worried about whether that mesh is laid flat at bottom or actually suspended in the slab where it can do any good

 

[ConCretin]

That price sounds high to me as well but the only reference point that really matters is if you can get some additional bids, which is much easier said than done. As with most things these days, prices for concrete work are rising sharply. There is some opportunism at play but there is also a chronic labor shortage that is forcing costs ups and productivity down plus all the usual cost drivers.

None of that helps you get your shop built. If the budget just isn't there, I'd strongly consider renting equipment, buying the materials and doing all the prep yourself. Just hire out the place and finish. It's not complicated work and there's no inherent time constraint such as setting concrete. Around here, you'd probably pay a finishing crew $1.50 sf. If you add in the cost of materials, I bet you could get it done for half of that quote and maybe end up with a better job.

Give my Guide to Floor Slabs in the link below for some thoughts on the process and feel free to post questions as you go. There are a lot of knowledgable people on here that would love to help (as long as you post lots of pics) Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.

 

[jblnut]

All the concrete projects around (except the house floor) we've done the site prep for. I have all the equipment needed so I figure I may as well use it. I'm sure you can rent a skid steer and mini excavator and do it yourself and save some bucks as well as have fun running some machinery you may not use on a daily basis. Big boys in big toys in a bigger sandbox

$30k seems crazy high to me as well but there is a fair bit of labor involved to get done what you want done. Figure it at $100/hr or more and you'll get there in a hurry. I paid $114/yd for 4000psi with fiber around a month ago and they told me it was up $25 since then.

Not sure if you're a Facebook user or not but your local community may have a page that you could ask questions on and see who your neighbors have used. Another option is to go to a lumberyard and ask who they recommend for concrete work. I found my concrete guys and post frame guys from a local lumberyard recommendation and have been crazy happy with both of them. Almost to the point that when I need something done I can trust they won't screw me and I'll tell them what I need and they'll come do it without any drama whatsoever.

 

[readhead]

I’m curious why you thought it would be 15K. Was that an arbitrary guess?
I’m getting ready to start a 42x40 metal building and the excavation and concrete will run 48k. Granted there is a lot of ground prep to do but the concrete prep and placement will be about 27K.
As others have said get more quotes so you have a better idea of what you should pay in your area.

 

[wildman163]

Thanks everybody for the information. Especially the comment about the mesh placement, that is something I would’ve never thought of - but now seems like it could easily be done wrong.

I just got some basic information regarding pricing per sq/ft from the internet and some people I knew who had work done. Right or wrong they ranged from $7 sq/ft to $15 (I figured the 7 end was screw some 2x6s together and pour, and that 12 or so was more what I needed). But nothing near $22 (what I was quoted).

To be far, this quote was a blind quote (I expect there to be very little ground work needed) but still - unless it was extreme earth moving I can’t see it taking more than a day. So that can’t be why the quote was so high.

I was able to get a hold of one other person (out of 5 I tried) who said they would come by and give me a quote. I’ll be sure to update with the info. The lumberyard suggestion was a good idea as well.

Thanks!

 

[wildman163]

Also, thanks for the info on doing the site prep myself. If I could get someone to do the finishing work (especially near the $1.50 sq/ft mark you said) that is what really scares me. I do have a sub-compact tractor with loader and backhoe. I may have to consider that.

Is the /yrd price generally a “poured from truck” price im guessing. So if I figured I need 35 yards, that $5k for the concrete to be poured (plus rent a pump if needed) and then coordinate a finishing crew myself?

 

[Ignacio]

I agree with others here, get additional quotes. I had about 2200sf poured about 6 months ago that was 6" thick with thickened edge and 1/2" rebar (costs a little more) plus concrete piers for the building. It ran about 20k, which is about $9/sf. They brought in a crane pump which cost a fortune and wasn't really necessary, but that's how they did it. This was rather high compared to other bids I saw later.

Some other concrete folks in this area who are known to do good work (but wouldn't return calls very well) were $5.50/sf for 4" slabs, foundation extra. These figures are all based on the person providing a level pad, which my dirt work folks did in my case. Missouri for location reference.

 

[brownbagg]

the labor and price is in the gravel. if you had a sand bed. $12,000

 

[BombShelter]

I feel like 30K is the high-side, end of the season, we're tired but super-busy price.

Personally I don't trust anybody that uses mesh at that price, rebar would tell me the guy might know what he's doing; you need more equpiment to install rebar, mesh is relatively easy. I've seen a lot of garage floor failures, where the inside edge next to the apron starts sinking and it's always rusty mesh just barely holding the sinking pieces together.

The guy I worked for was old-school, 4500 PSI concrete, rebar and he'd go 5" for driveways and garage floors, we never had a complaint about the durability.

If your hitting wet ground you might also want to consider CETCO Voltex DS under the slab, bentonite stops any hydrostatic water from moving through the concrete and it's easy to install, just roll it over your class 5, before you pour.

 

[wildman163]

All,

Just thought I would provide an update where I landed. I was able to find someone to perform all the work (including prep etc.) for $12500 (less than half my first quote). Same specs and everything.

Pretty wild, but I would certainly suggest getting a few quotes if you get sticker shock. I do believe there are a lot of people giving “if you’ll pay I’ll take your money” prices right now.

Thank you all for the Input. It was certainly helpful!