Need Concrete...need help finding people

[ffjosh]

So I have been looking for concrete since July.

The good companies are busy and the still good companies are quoting me VERY HIGH.

I can tell some companies do not want to do my building because there is a little more involved then just pouring a slab and throwing in some bolts.

Im building a steel building so the bolts must be in the correct spots.

I have called 10 companies. I received back 4 quotes. 3 are super high and one is reasonable but still a little high.


Is there a forum or a website that you can post your plans online and companies check them out and bid on it? Or atleast email you quotes?

I have called back some of the concrete companies and there done for the year due to winter

 

[rburke65]

I'm no expert here, but there is no site like that as far as I know. Good luck! And oh....you might want to put your location in your profile.....it would help others to help you if we knew where you were located.....just a wild and crazy thought.

 

[ffjosh]

I'm no expert here, but there is no site like that as far as I know. Good luck! And oh....you might want to put your location in your profile.....it would help others to help you if we knew where you were located.....just a wild and crazy thought.

Thanks, i updated it.

Its been a hell of a time finding someone.

The last guy I spoke with said it was a good year for concrete work. He said last year he barley scraped by

 

[NUTTSGT]

having the bolts in the correct spot might be scare off the little guys as they might rather do basic flat work. You may be needing more of a guy that does commercial work which is going to cost you more.

 

[ffjosh]

having the bolts in the correct spot might be scare off the little guys as they might rather do basic flat work. You may be needing more of a guy that does commercial work which is going to cost you more.

That's exactly what I think is going on right now.

The companys that do commercial work are crazy high because its such a little job.

Im just wondering if there price will come down in the winter?

 

[DpSyChO]

Your general location may help get some reccomidations from other forum members of someone local.
I dont know of a website you can submit plans to and get bids on projects.
I may get some slack for suggesting this: but ask around and see if any of your family members have a Angieslist membership, if they dont you could find the correct codes and caulk up the $20 (with the correct discount codes) for a year membership. At the very least, it may offer some reviews of the company before you pick them.

 

[inphx]

I have posted jobs here: https://www.bidclerk.com/index.html but in my two tries bids or replies came 2-3 weeks later and i already pulled my trigger.

 

[ffjosh]

Your general location may help get some reccomidations from other forum members of someone local.
I dont know of a website you can submit plans to and get bids on projects.
I may get some slack for suggesting this: but ask around and see if any of your family members have a Angieslist membership, if they dont you could find the correct codes and caulk up the $20 (with the correct discount codes) for a year membership. At the very least, it may offer some reviews of the company before you pick them.

Ill check it out, I never heard of anyone using Angielist.

 

[ffjosh]

I have posted jobs here: https://www.bidclerk.com/index.html but in my two tries bids or replies came 2-3 weeks later and i already pulled my trigger.

Ill try this out. At this point ill do anything.

 

[skippy24]

If the quotes are high but in the same ballpark then that might be the market price for the work you are looking for. Maybe that is what you need to be prepared to pay.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Ill check it out, I never heard of anyone using Angielist.

Personally no I haven't either but . . .


On one episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer talks about using Angie's List to find contractor to do work on the construction details of the rescue. Take it for what it's worth.

Appropriate smilie --->

 

[ffjosh]

If the quotes are high but in the same ballpark then that might be the market price for the work you are looking for. Maybe that is what you need to be prepared to pay.[/QUO

Its a 30x24 garage

High prices ranger $6400-8500

The lowest one I had was $5800

I spoke with a few people at a local lumber yard and they said there is no reason I can't get it done under $4k.

Its just a good year for concrete so no one wants to do my little garage is what it sounds like.

 

[ffjosh]

Personally no I haven't either but . . .


On one episode of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer talks about using Angie's List to find contractor to do work on the construction details of the rescue. Take it for what it's worth.

Appropriate smilie --->

I found a site called homeadvisor. Looks like angies but free.

It did show me a couple different places.

 

[creativecars]

Have you checked with some of the Amish crews around? Check CL for services?

 

[NUTTSGT]

A 30x24 4" thick slab is going to be just under 9 yards plus whatever extra you need for steel columns to sit on per the building manufacturer's plans.

A 5" thick slab bumps it up to just over 11 yards and 6" raises the yards to just under 13. 1/2 yards.


For such a small garage (compared to others here and the reasonable size) I think you might be farther off going with a conventional stick build and block foundation. I doubt you would have any problems finding a contractor to do the foundation work. You'd definitely save a **** load if you could finish the stick construction yourself. I know you've posted about your garage plans before, maybe I need to go back and read them.

 

[ffjosh]

Have you checked with some of the Amish crews around? Check CL for services?

Yes I have. The only amish crew that remotely wanted to do it gets horrible reviews. Which is sad because I had him quote me a slab about a year ago and it was dirt cheap.

 

[ffjosh]

A 30x24 4" thick slab is going to be just under 9 yards plus whatever extra you need for steel columns to sit on per the building manufacturer's plans.

A 5" thick slab bumps it up to just over 11 yards and 6" raises the yards to just under 13. 1/2 yards.


For such a small garage (compared to others here and the reasonable size) I think you might be farther off going with a conventional stick build and block foundation. I doubt you would have any problems finding a contractor to do the foundation work. You'd definitely save a **** load if you could finish the stick construction yourself. I know you've posted about your garage plans before, maybe I need to go back and read them.

Im building it my self. I just need concrete done.

I have told every contractor that I want to do it the cheapest way possible. Long as its within code we can go block, columns, walls ect. I am not picky.

Only 1 company gave me a quote back for columns (gravel floor) and it was $3300.

 

[NUTTSGT]

After reading, I see that you already have the building. What's your skill level ? Can you do the piers with the bolts yourself ? If you have them done, it might be easier to have somebody come in and do the rest of the flat work.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Im building it my self. I just need concrete done.

I have told every contractor that I want to do it the cheapest way possible. Long as its within code we can go block, columns, walls ect. I am not picky.

Only 1 company gave me a quote back for columns (gravel floor) and it was $3300.

That might be scaring off the contractors as they think you're a tight *** and not going to pay. If they've have horrible owners before, you're probably raisng red flags telling them CHEAP cheap cheap.

 

[ffjosh]

After reading, I see that you already have the building. What's your skill level ? Can you do the piers with the bolts yourself ? If you have them done, it might be easier to have somebody come in and do the rest of the flat work.

I was thinking of doing that my self. However I really do not want too. If something is screwed up I do not want to take the fall. Plus the cost is high.

I quoted to have a 4 inch slab done for $2k. (this was last summer)

My cost to do it my self was $2400. Concrete guys must get crazy discounts.

 

[ffjosh]

That might be scaring off the contractors as they think you're a tight *** and not going to pay. If they've have horrible owners before, you're probably raisng red flags telling them CHEAP cheap cheap.

I shouldn't say I put it like that.

However the last guy that came to my house I told him im doing this on a budget and would like a couple views of it. We talked and he gave me a few different options and then he left. Then I never get a call back. Maybe I am scary them. Maybe I should start asking for the most expensive way possible.

I have cash IN MY HAND!!!! Someone gives me a good quote its theres.

I've told the last few contractors this hoping they would get back with me faster.

 

[ffjosh]

Also the steel building is in my driveway! You have to walk around it to get to the site its going to be built. So they have to know im serious?

 

[Milton Shaw]

Check with the redi mix concrete companies in your area. They might have experience with finshers that they might endorse. They know who does good work, shows up on time and works well with them. I have gotten names from them in the past and have had good experience with their recommendations.

 

[ffjosh]

Check with the redi mix concrete companies in your area. They might have experience with finshers that they might endorse. They know who does good work, shows up on time and works well with them. I have gotten names from them in the past and have had good experience with their recommendations.

thats a good idea...thanks!

 

[Higgins]

Find some people in your area that have built building simular to yours.

Thats what I did, and ended up several of the folks used the same crew!!!

AL

 

[Bsj04]

What price per sq foot and what all are you wanting. I was getting high quotes compared to what I thought I was going to pay but after several that were all in the same ballpark I figured out that's just what it cost. I ended up doing all the prep work myself and only paying for placing and finishing. It ended up costing what I though it was going to in the first place even doing a lot of the work myself. I ended up spending about $6 a sq. foot vs. the $8-$9 a sq. foot range I was quoted.

Edit: got bust during my response so some questions have been answered already.

Btw mine had 16"x24" footers and yards beams and that's where $3 a sq foot of the cost was just in concrete.

 

[ffjosh]

What price per sq foot and what all are you wanting. I was getting high quotes compared to what I thought I was going to pay but after several that were all in the same ballpark I figured out that's just what it cost. I ended up doing all the prep work myself and only paying for placing and finishing. It ended up costing what I though it was going to in the first place even doing a lot of the work myself. I ended up spending about $6 a sq. foot vs. the $8-$9 a sq. foot range I was quoted

I would love to pay $5 sq ft
Im being quoted $9-$10

Edit: Your probably right I will have to pay more then I want.

However its still a PITA getting quotes back.

I still dont see how they can do a stick build garage for $2500-$3500 for concrete and my steel building is $6500

 

[Bsj04]

I would love to pay $5 sq ft
Im being quoted $9-$10

From what I figured up at first just the material for mine was about $4 a foot. That included concrete, rebar, plastic, misc. hardware, a mini escavator rental and brand new form boards so someone in the business should already have the last 2 and be cheaper on them. That's why I did most of mine myself because of the high bids.

A friend had someone do his for about what I have in mine and he got a really ****** job. So also think about that too and don't just look for the cheapest.

 

[ffjosh]

From what I figured up at first just the material for mine was about $4 a foot. That included concrete, rebar, plastic, misc. hardware, a mini escavator rental and brand new form boards so someone in the business should already have the last 2 and be cheaper on them. That's why I did most of mine myself because of the high bids.

A friend had someone do his for about what I have in mine and he got a really ****** job. So also think about that too and don't just look for the cheapest.

thats exactly why I am not wanting to do it my self.


Im really tempted just to go poor and pull the trigger lol


Ya I have a amish crew that would do it fairly cheap....but i hear bad things about there concrete. Not so much the durability as how it looks after there done.

 

[Bsj04]

I would love to pay $5 sq ft
Im being quoted $9-$10

Edit: Your probably right I will have to pay more then I want.

However its still a PITA getting quotes back.

I still dont see how they can do a stick build garage for $2500-$3500 for concrete and my steel building is $6500

I feel your pain. Everytime I got a quote I kept telling myself if I ever loose my job I'm starting a concrete company! Those guys charge out the ***.

 

[ffjosh]

I wonder how hard it is to do the floor?

I can get the columns done for $3300....

 

[fwillison]

I just had concrete work done.
Charged me .90 per sq ft plus materials for the slab. Materials cost for concrete here is about 90 dollars a yard. Rebar runs about 20% of the cost of the concrete.
So for your 720 sq ft slab, taking about 9 yards, it should be around $2000. However, my job was much bigger involving footings and a much larger slab (77 yards). Maybe that's why my cost per sq ft was so low. I still ended up into the job for over $15K for the foundation work.

 

[creativecars]

thats exactly why I am not wanting to do it my self.


Im really tempted just to go poor and pull the trigger lol


Ya I have a amish crew that would do it fairly cheap....but i hear bad things about there concrete. Not so much the durability as how it looks after there done.

I will be thinking of doing the same thing. I have done some small pours, but pulling the trigger on "my garage" makes me wonder. I dont mind hard work, but I would like to have someone there who really knows what they are doing...
What prices have you found on the concrete?

 

[ffjosh]

I will be thinking of doing the same thing. I have done some small pours, but pulling the trigger on "my garage" makes me wonder. I dont mind hard work, but I would like to have someone there who really knows what they are doing...
What prices have you found on the concrete?

High prices ranger $6400-8500

The lowest one I had was $5800

I had a quote for $3300 but that was with a gravel floor.

I was quoted a 24x30 garage and it was only $2500! I almost pulled the trigger but found this steel building and bought it.

Most companies pour the concrete for a steel building the same as a garage, so I thought it would be the same price. Maybe a little more due to the contractor has to actually measure and think where to put the bolts.

Nope stupid high!

 

[creativecars]

High prices ranger $6400-8500

The lowest one I had was $5800

I had a quote for $3300 but that was with a gravel floor.

I was quoted a 24x30 garage and it was only $2500! I almost pulled the trigger but found this steel building and bought it.

Most companies pour the concrete for a steel building the same as a garage, so I thought it would be the same price. Maybe a little more due to the contractor has to actually measure and think where to put the bolts.

Nope stupid high!

I meant how much for the concrete by the yard, if you were to try it yourself. And rebar etc. C Henry sells rebar reasonably. If I can find a finisher I may get some people together and give is a try myself, but I am like that. Once I rented a backhoe dug and pour my own footings and met code all the way. BTW, putting anchors in is not brain surgery. Concrete work is hot, hard and heavy work, but I had more desire than money.

 

[DpSyChO]

I was going to go with a steel building a few months back.
The building called for bolts to be installed in the pad as yours.
The company I was getting the building from, offered three major ways:
Building only, I installed on pad that I arranged.
Building frame and sheeting put up on pad I arranged (I installed insulation if I wanted it).
Turn key (insulation and concrete).
They had a prefered concrete guy and install crew they used for jobs that were turn key.
The way I was told, If I used their concrete guy, he would install the bolts per the prints when everything was poured.
If I went with frame and sheeting only option and I arranged the concrete with someone a little more local, tell them do not install the bolts. The install crew would use the epoxy in anchors when they come out.
The sales man said that their prefered guy had done enough of their buildings that they knew the bolt locations would be correct. They had several people to arrange their own pads and the local concrete guys wouldnt always have the bolts correct (off location and coming up crooked). I dont remember the exact number, but there was not a lot of play or wiggle room with the bolt locations.
May want to check into that to see if the required bolts may be driving up the price?
I know around here if it's a job that a contractor really doesnt want the liability for or doesnt want to do; instead of just telling you they dont want to quote it they'll quote it high.

 

[ffjosh]

I meant how much for the concrete by the yard, if you were to try it yourself. And rebar etc. C Henry sells rebar reasonably. If I can find a finisher I may get some people together and give is a try myself, but I am like that. Once I rented a backhoe dug and pour my own footings and met code all the way. BTW, putting anchors in is not brain surgery. Concrete work is hot, hard and heavy work, but I had more desire than money.

from what I was quoted months ago it was about $100 yard

 

[Roots]

I shouldn't say I put it like that.

However the last guy that came to my house I told him im doing this on a budget and would like a couple views of it. We talked and he gave me a few different options and then he left. Then I never get a call back. Maybe I am scary them. Maybe I should start asking for the most expensive way possible.

I have cash IN MY HAND!!!! Someone gives me a good quote its theres.

I've told the last few contractors this hoping they would get back with me faster.

That's a red flag to a lot of contractors... Wrongful or not, it tends to imply that a customer is still not sold on the project, wants free project design help, and quality work for quality pay may be an issue. Along with having a strong chance of going with another contractor for $500 less, after they held your hand through the design stage while costing them money. That's my guess, on why they never called back.

For what it's worth, the cash in hand statement is ...almost meaningless as a motivator for professional companies.

 

[ffjosh]

I meant how much for the concrete by the yard, if you were to try it yourself. And rebar etc. C Henry sells rebar reasonably. If I can find a finisher I may get some people together and give is a try myself, but I am like that. Once I rented a backhoe dug and pour my own footings and met code all the way. BTW, putting anchors in is not brain surgery. Concrete work is hot, hard and heavy work, but I had more desire than money.

That's a red flag to a lot of contractors... Wrongful or not, it tends to imply that a customer is still not sold on the project, wants free project design help, and quality work for quality pay may be an issue. Along with having a strong chance of going with another contractor for $500 less, after they held your hand through the design stage while costing them money. That's my guess, on why they never called back.

For what it's worth, the cash in hand statement is ...almost meaningless as a motivator for professional companies.

If they think that then I guess there not worth it.

I have a steel building sitting in my driveway
I have a site that is bare dirt since I just leveled it
I make copies of the blue prints and give it to them.
I have where I want the building stacked out with little flags.
I have the electrical and well lines marked out.

Ive done all the work for them...they just need to quote me.

 

[bgarrett]

having the bolts in the correct spot might be scare off the little guys as they might rather do basic flat work. You may be needing more of a guy that does commercial work which is going to cost you more.

Putting the bolts in the right place is very easy. Use scraps of lumber, drill holes to hold the bolts, nail the scraps to the form in the right places