Quick decision on driveway

[mikegt4]

My son lives in a typical suburban city that is replacing bad sidewalk sections via a concrete contractor and adding the cost to the home owner's taxes. This afternoon I get a call from his mother relating to the contractor's offer to replace part of his 45 year old driveway next to the sidewalk that is badly spalling. I did a quick resurfacing job on it a few years ago when the city sent him notice to fix it, now that is failing (as expected). The rest of the driveway is in good condition.

The contractor wants an answer today before 9pm. The area involved is 200 sq.ft. (18 x 11) and he wants $2k, $1750 if paid in cash. I have no clue if that is reasonable or just a pie in the sky price thrown out there to a homeowner with a "now or never" deadline.

Any opinions?

 

[KenC]

In my area, that's way too much. I had some drive slabs done last year. $1/sqft labor + concrete. The material is around $100/yd and that should take about 3 yds. Removal on top of that of course. But since they are doing the sidewalk contract, the correct equipment is available and should not exceed 2 hours to break up and load. JMHO

 

[aandpdan]

Don't do it.

It sounds like scam. If it was legitimate you would have been given time to make a decision.

 

[CombatNinja]

Almost $9/sq ft for what will probably be the same thickness and quality as a sidewalk? Tell them to piss off.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Don't do it.

It sounds like scam. If it was legitimate you would have been given time to make a decision.

+1

I am a contractor as well, my question is what is the hurry??

I wouldn’t trust somebody that needs an answer that quick

That falls right in line with the BS story that we are working in your area and have some leftover material from another job scam



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[jimindm]

You do not say if it is the approach. I would guess that most approaches are about that size.

I know there are different rules for approaches in many cities, and many times they are thicker than sidewalks.

It may only be 200 square feet, but what does the city require. Depth, wire, reinforcement, doweling existing concrete.

I guess I can only assume that it is the approach, since the city cited the spalling in the past. I would not think they would care f in was not in the ROW.

Just make sure you will be comparing apples to apples.

 

[Lucid Moments]

+1

I am a contractor as well, my question is what is the hurry??

I wouldn’t trust somebody that needs an answer that quick

That falls right in line with the BS story that we are working in your area and have some leftover material from another job scam

+2 I am not a contractor, but that whole deal just screams scam to me. I would run, not walk, away.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bet the city would like to know this. I really don't care that the contractor is working a cash job, but when working side by side "on city time" and probably paying city income taxes, the city leadership should be informed of this.

At 5" thick, that 18x11 is just over three yards. I'd also guess they will double bill on the concrete portion, you're paying for it on the job in cash. . . no record of it and they are going to slam it onto your property taxes too.

 

[sr71]

scam - and when he tells the con tractor no... be prepared for the price to drop...

 

[mikegt4]

Thanks to all that replied. My son decided to decline the offer. He said that he talked to the city and they knew nothing about these side deals.

We have been meaning to replace this bad section for several years but neither of us seems to have the time. I have 2 Oliver track loaders that could remove the slab and have acreage in the country where I could use the concrete chunks. I have some poor experience with concrete flatwork so once again we are thinking of prepping the area ourselves and have someone do the installation.

Again, thanks to all.