Leveling a site for concrete pad

[Hollywood D]

Hey everyone, been reading here for a while and I have a questions about a concrete pad for a garage. Before I start, I have not contacted a contractor yet about this. I'm just trying to get informed before I start making phone calls and end up spending more money then I have to.

The idea is to put a 24x30 garage on the property. It will be a free standing building. Tuff Shed is most likely going to be the builder. I have access to a tractor to level the site. Is it as simple as just leveling the dirt and compacting it? I assume the concrete contractor would dig the footers.

And this would be in Colorado, if it makes a difference

 

[ptgarcia]

Are you permitting this garage? If so, I suggest you start at your City or County (whichever has jurisdiction) and see what they require before moving any dirt.

 

[Hollywood D]

Yes, it will be fully permitted.

 

[matt_i]

Agreed, do not break ground before drawings have been done, overhead/plan/plat view, elevation, and those drawings have been submitted to architectural review, building and zoning (whatever jurisdictions apply).

 

[readhead]

Is there a building department involved? If so you are way behind the curve.

 

[lakeroadster]

Hollywood.. update your profile by adding your location. Quite a few Coloradoans here on the GJ.

 

[Hollywood D]

Nobody is involved yet, I haven't committed to anything, signed contracts or put any money down. Although, I'm hoping to get that accomplished in the next 30 days.

I may not have explained it very well. I guess the question is, would it be worth it to do this myself or just let the builders deal with it? If the dirt requires multiple inspections other than compaction then maybe it would be less of a headache to have them do it.

The way Tuff Shed works is they pull all the necessary permits, I just have to get the concrete slab poured myself since they don't do concrete work. And they won't build a garage unless there is a concrete slab.

 

[Black78]

I may be mistaken but check with Jefferson Counties building department. Tuff shed is more then likely only going to pull the building/ structure permit/s. They will need to show snow load/s, framing etc. their permit/s probably will not include the slab, generally you have to pull that separate again showing depth. footings etc. for your area.
Contact a concrete company, they may be be able to cut some, if you are going to do some of the "heavy lifting" of course they will be more helpful knowing they will get the pour. They should be able to show you depth etc, their needs. Sorry not a lot of help, but I learned this the hard way.

 

[readhead]

Black78 is correct. You need to talk to tuff shed and find out exactly what permits they will take out. You may be responsible for the rest of the plans. The building department may already be familiar with how tuff shed works and can fill in the blanks for you.

 

[HotrodHR]

Check with your contractor who's doing the prep, forming and concrete work. They will tell you what's required as far as site prep is concerned. Price goes up depending on grade/slope if they do the work. Personally, I would have the contractor do it if it involves any major grading or compacting.

Don't forget to have a vapor barrier installed in case you want to coat your floor...

 

[slackdaddy1]

typically (Make that 99.99% of the time) ONE building permit is pulled by the owner or the general contractor. (plus elec, plumb, HVAC by those subs).
The owner or general is then responsible to keep the other subs "inline".

But back to your question, without seeing your lot, I would say it is a waste of time to do any "dirt work", any of that would be after the foundation is in (slab).

my main job is fixing residential builders/homeowners screw ups. 5, 10, 20 years down the road. The ONE thing I see time and time again is piss poor building layout and grading. They try to "smoothout what is there and set the building, it always ends up to low with drainage issues. PERCH your building up out of the ground (1-3')and bring dirt in if you have to slope it away. For a slab his will require bringing in select fill to compact under the slab. yes it adds cost. like I tell people "you can upgrade your countertops later, kinda hard to upgrade the foundation at a later date"

 

[ard]

You are in Colorado- frost depth there is what, 36, 48 inches? "Leveling a spot" will be absolutely trivial compared to digging a four + foot deep trench, forming walls, pouring 20 yards of concrete then back-filling and a slab. (Edit- there are other possible foundation designs as well...)

If I am paying a contractor they are doing EVERYTHING. If they dont do concrete, they dont do my job...

 

[readhead]

In Colorado it is not unusual for the permit process to be pieced out. In the counties surrounding me you can pull a foundation permit even though plan review is not complete. The final inspection can be partial also even though the work isn't complete so an owner can move in. Most of this is driven by weather.

The OP needs to work closely with the building department so there are no surprises.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

IMO, you want your building finished floor above the highest point currently encompassed by the outline of the building so you don't have to fight water. That means you don't level it, but build up from what you have now with rock or sand. I prefer rock because it doesn't wash as easily.

In the lower Midwest and upper Southeast areas I've lived, on a building with a conventional foundation, rock or sand would be added to the area enclosed by the footer before the floor is poured. Similarly, on a pole building the rock or sand is added to the floor once the skirt boards are in place.

You may need to knock off a high spot, but you usually want to remove any dirt you loosen from the build area.