Finishing Concrete

[jarhead]

I have limited experience finishing concrete. I have done a few sidewalks and a couple of 6X10 slabs.

I am curious how hard it would be to do a 10X48 slab next to my garage. I could finish 20 feet of it from both sides but the 28 feet left would be next to the garage so I would have to do it from one side.

Is this something two people could do in a few differnt pours?

Any suggesstions are appreciated, don't worry you wont hurt my feelings

Thanks, Joe

 

[Kevin54]

Two people could do it, but with limited experience on sidewalks and small slabs it may be more than you want to tackle. I would most definately get a third person with flatwork experience. even if they are there just for the moral support. You will also need a bullfloat, edgers, trowel. If you don't have those, they can be rented. I'd ask around to a few different peole that has concrete work done who they would recommend and tehen maybe talk to them and ask how much they would charge to be a third person. But if you do decide to do it yourself, make sure all the grading is done properly, any fill (stone) isput in to the proper depth and properly tamped, forms are put in properly, rebar or wire mesh, etc. And above all..remember that when the truck pulls up and starts to unload, there is no turning back. LOL!!!

 

[PAToyota]

Despite flatwork experience with sidewalks and patios and other concrete experience, I hired the pros to do my workshop because I wanted to make sure all went well. To me, it was worth it to pay them and have them be responsible for taking it back out if there were problems than whatever money I would have saved doing it myself and possibly having to do it all over again if I made the mistakes...

Now, if you aren't fussy about the quality it may be worth it to you. I'd get a few more than two people on the job, though.

 

[Bigger Hammer]

Ditto PAToyota, that's a bit of sq. footage for 2 people with limited experience. Finishing it all from one side is not a big deal being only 10' wide.

If you are looking for a hand placing and finishing then my suggestion is for you to do all the prep work yourself and buy the concrete yourself. Just hire the crew to come place and finish. Doing it that way you can easily set it up at your own pace with two guys or even yourself if your buddy bails.

I just did a 9 yard 600 sq ft. stamped patio at my house which was a real chopped up odd shaped thing and I had 7 guys there with 6 of them being experienced finishers. Needless to say, not a single one of us worked very hard and I think two of them were hammered drunk by around 10am lol. I knew I should have hid the beer cooler better.

 

[jarhead]

I will look into getting some bids to see what it might cost. I want the side that has access to be monolithic.

I might be able to round up one more person to help, but as someone said when the truck arrives I need to be ready.

Thanks for the replies!