monolithic or foundation/slab

[1dumbquestion]

Hey all, I'm planning my shop build and am debating between a mono and a traditional slab floor. I can do the excavation work but will have to hire out the forms/labor. I'll be building the rest of the shop myself so the concrete will be a rather large part of the total cost. I like the idea of the traditional stem wall so I don't have studs getting oiled when things go wrong but I am open to your thoughts as I haven't done a ton of concrete work. Are there other pro's and con's? Are the labor costs a lot more generally with a foundation/slab? I'm planning a 30'x60' but may have to pull back a little as I get a better feel for total cost. Thanks for any input, 1

 

[Stuart in MN]

You should mention where you live, since choosing one or the other may be dependent on local regulations and/or building standards. Your planned building is pretty large, and there may be restrictions on how big you can go with a monolithic slab. Another thing to consider would be running a course of concrete blocks around the perimeter of the slab and then building the walls on top of that, it keeps the wood isolated from ground moisture as well as spills inside the building.

 

[hd54kh]

Best to add your location, prices can vary region to region. I am also in the same situation. I am planning a 38x30 garage and trying to sort out what is the best solution for the foundation to build on, base for a lift and service stub ups.

I'll follow this one.

Terry

 

[1dumbquestion]

I'm in the Portland OR area (Battle Ground, WA)

I just checked and a mono is ok in my area.

 

[Cyberbear]

I've always used a mono pour and never any problems. Use a 5 or six bag mix for better strength and more than the required steel. I used rebar at 16" o/c and doubled it in the footings, steel is the cheapest part of building a slab and the old adage about a better foundation applies, don't skimp here because everytrhing else depends on it.