? for the pro concrete guys

[koditten]

When you guys figure out how much concret to purchase, how much do you figure is needed extra to be safe?

KO

 

[crf731]

I'm not a pro concrete guy, but when I do concrete work. I give the concrete company the dimensions of the forms, or depth and diameter of the hole and let them figure out how much I need.

 

[bczygan]

I always order a little extra and have a pad formed up to take the overage, if any. It can be a pad for any purpose. Extension of a walk, pad for some trash cans or hose reel or rain barrels or entry door to a shed etc.

 

[Kels]

I always order a little extra and have a pad formed up to take the overage, if any. It can be a pad for any purpose. Extension of a walk, pad for some trash cans or hose reel or rain barrels or entry door to a shed etc.

We did this and now have a nice pad in front of the pump house, very nice to no more mud in there!

 

[Paultergeist]

This raises a question in my mind: Suppose I order a truck-full of concrete to pour a small foundation/slab. Not wanting the potential disaster of running out of concrete (or the concrete company shorting the load), I intentionally order -- say -- 25% more concrete than I actually need. Once my forms are full, if there is *extra* concrete still in the truck, what happens? Would the concrete folks demand to empty the mixer contents somewhere on my property, or would they just drive off with it and dump it back at their yard?

 

[NUTTSGT]

This raises a question in my mind: Suppose I order a truck-full of concrete to pour a small foundation/slab. Not wanting the potential disaster of running out of concrete (or the concrete company shorting the load), I intentionally order -- say -- 25% more concrete than I actually need. Once my forms are full, if there is *extra* concrete still in the truck, what happens? Would the concrete folks demand to empty the mixer contents somewhere on my property, or would they just drive off with it and dump it back at their yard?

A truck full or are you pouring a small pad ? A truck will hold 8-9 yards. If you need 4 and order 4 1/2 yards, you're going to get that. (Hopefully you don't get shorted)

That's why bczygan suggested setting up an extra form for any left over concrete. I believe you're going to get billed for what you order. Once they dump the concrete of what you ordered, they will usually try to clean out at your place.

 

[pstnbly]

Floors and footing have more variables than walls. If the site looks well graded I will add 1/2yd for footings on well graded floors average garage (24x28) I'll add 1yd. If not well graded all bets are off, but I usually do my own grading and compensate accordingly.

I prefer to waste concrete on floors $100 to $200 in wasted crete on a big floor for insurance to me is worth it, running short sux, makes for a bad job and lost money on labor.

We used to have a batch plant in town and I could get a yd if I ran short, but it would still be an hour IF a truck was avalible. Now its an hour and a half away and a $500 bill for a short load. I don't run short.

 

[HOTFR8]

Most Concrete workers usualy add more. Otherwise if they are short it costs more for the truck to go back and get another load.

 

[koditten]

Thanks for the replies. The question stems from ordering for a dog kennel. Contractor calculated that job would require 4.17 yds, ordered 4.25 yds to be safe,was still short. Had to quickly order another.5 yds. Concrete contractor had never miss calculated in the last 15 yrs. Contractor had to buy the extra concrete, basicly cutting any profit to nothing. Contactor did all grading to insure correct amount of crete was ordered.

Is .10 of a yard too close of an error margin to work with when ordering Crete? Did concrete supplier ship a light load?

This was another handshake deal, if you get what I mean.

KO

 

[dbabicky]

I had my own concrete business for years. I alway's figured out the amount needed and added at least 1/2 yd. normally I would have 1/2 yd left ion the truck, but on occasion there would be just a shovel or two left. As long as you grade it properly, you'll be fine by ordering 1/2 yd extra. Your gonna get charged for what ever you ordered. If they have a lot left in the truck around here, they take it back to the plant and make Texas weights, or septic tanks out of it. Other wise they clean up right on site.

 

[koditten]

Now for the back story.

Concrete guy is a very good friend of mine. Actually did my concrete work. Turned out perfect.

An associate asked for concrete guys that take side jobs, I recommended my guy.

Fortunately concrete job turned out good an my associate was happy with the results. Im not happy about my friend eating the extra half yard. I've been around contracted jobs for years, I know **** happens and I know there will be cost overruns. If I was the customer, I would buy the extra half yard and not worry about it.

My associate is sticking to his guns and saying a deal is a deal. No offer so far to man up.

We all are upstanding guys here, it just seems to me to be little on the petty side.

Fortunately my friend is open minded. He is hoping for future positive reviews from customer...and a place to board his dog if needed.

 

[brownbagg]

if you cant figure concrete within a half yard, you dont need to be in business, but on paying, the cost was an estimate, most people think 10% over run no big deal because if you half yard short there will be a two yard minimum

 

[bczygan]

If that last yard cost a lot (As it probably did), because it was a special order, then , since it was his miscalculation, I would pay what an extra 1/2 yard would cost if ordered with the main order and let him pick up the extra cost. You got the material and should pay for it, but not at the special order rate since you didn't make the mistake.
But since it was a handshake fixed price deal, it isn't an obligation, just the right thing to do.
Sound fair?

BTW, there is case law, that says if a contractor makes a major math mistake in good faith, that the owner can't unduly benefit. If you get 10 sq. of shingles when I thought it was 5, you gotta pay for the 10.

 

[J4nss(WNY)]

There are many on-line concrete calculators to use but as others have mentioned a lot depends on your grade. I poured my floor yesterday. Calculated 8.8 yards so I ordered 9 which is a full load. After the pour we had 2 five gallon buckets left over. They will make nice counterweights for my tractor.