Saw cut control joints.

[synik]

Whats the typical cost for something like this to get done by a concrete contractor?

I'm currently having a custom home built but the concrete contractor that works with the builder doesn't have the means to do saw joint cuts. I am trying to get this done in the garage, to avoid the "free" hand trowel joint. I was quoted $800 to get the joint saw cut, although I know this was ridiculously insane for a 3 car garage. Especially they will have to "buy" the equipment to do it.

I guess I'm out of luck? Possibly have no joints and get them cut way after the fact, once house is complete, although it may crack by then.

Maybe I just have to watch and epoxy fill in the hand joints and deal with it.

 

[csp]

You can't find a concrete contractor that has the equipment to do it after it's poured?

By that I mean an additional contractor to do it after the builder's concrete guy does his thing.

 

[thegarageguy]

Weird a concrete contractor doesn't have the equipment to saw cut....it's like a framer not owning a hammer

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Run Forest, Run!!

I wouldn't want a contractor to do my work if he couldn't cut joints in my slab.

That's like a framer not owning a hammer.

 

[synik]

You can't find a concrete contractor that has the equipment to do it after it's poured?

By that I mean an additional contractor to do it after the builder's concrete guy does his thing.

I will have to look into this, and see if I can get quoted. That's if my builder allows it. I see why not, but who knows with their insurance policy etc. I mean, a saw cut in garage floors cant be that bad right?

Weird a concrete contractor doesn't have the equipment to saw cut....it's like a framer not owning a hammer

Run Forest, Run!!

I wouldn't want a contractor to do my work if he couldn't cut joints in my slab.

That's like a framer not owning a hammer.

My thought exactly! They been doing big slab pours for a major new neighborhood. These are the builder concrete guys. So assuming they know what they are doing, although I'm confused. Almost like a carpenter with out a blade/knife. Weird, I know? Although this wouldn't cost me much would it? Worse case, I'll come in the middle of the night and cut them myself. LOL!?

 

[thegarageguy]

I'm not a mason and won't pretend to be one...just seems curious to me that a mason wouldn't have this tool or process in his arsenal.

 

[robertwhite]

Doesn't have the equipment? What a crock of ****. All that's needed is a 7 1/4" circular saw, a diamond blade ($30) a chalk line and maybe a 4" grinder w/diamond blade to get all the way into corners. Doesn't get any easier than that.

"Concrete" guy just doesn't want to do it. Plain and simple.

 

[MScott]

I just got an itemized estimate on a 1500 sq. ft. basement (house, the garage won't be done until spring,) and the cost for saw cuts is $150.

 

[Gary S]

When I built my garage a few years ago, I simply went down to Acme Tool rental and rented their saw for the job. I think I did my 24x48 slab for about $125 for rental and wear on their diamond blade.
Just do it yourself.

 

[BL50]

Run Forest, Run!!

I wouldn't want a contractor to do my work if he couldn't cut joints in my slab.

That's like a framer not owning a hammer.

RUN is right ... I never heard of such a thing. Tell your builder to find a concrete guy who knows what he's doing!

 

[ConCretin]

What you really want is contractor with an early entry saw such as Soffcut. The blade spins into the cut and runs inside a plate that keeps aggregate from being dislodged.

The cutting is done shortly after the last toweling pass. if you wait a day until you can use normal saws you may already have shrinkage cracks.

 

[synik]

I just got an itemized estimate on a 1500 sq. ft. basement (house, the garage won't be done until spring,) and the cost for saw cuts is $150.

Thanks for the heads up, I really need to get a ballpark estimate.

Doesn't have the equipment? What a crock of ****. All that's needed is a 7 1/4" circular saw, a diamond blade ($30) a chalk line and maybe a 4" grinder w/diamond blade to get all the way into corners. Doesn't get any easier than that.

"Concrete" guy just doesn't want to do it. Plain and simple.

Yea, the builder is very open to custom things being done. It's just that the concrete guys seem to be slacking here.

When I built my garage a few years ago, I simply went down to Acme Tool rental and rented their saw for the job. I think I did my 24x48 slab for about $125 for rental and wear on their diamond blade.
Just do it yourself.

RUN is right ... I never heard of such a thing. Tell your builder to find a concrete guy who knows what he's doing!

Trust me, I vent my anger at being such a rip off and told the builder to tell em, FOR F'IN Reals? Really? We will see what's possible.

What you really want is contractor with an early entry saw such as Soffcut. The blade spins into the cut and runs inside a plate that keeps aggregate from being dislodged.

The cutting is done shortly after the last toweling pass. if you wait a day until you can use normal saws you may already have shrinkage cracks.

Roger, usually its done 12-24hr after pour.

I had to do part of my "2 post lift side" 25x14' with 2' OC rebar, that costed me $300 extra. Blah. Could be worse.

-------------Dont get me wrong, I love to build and do everything myself. Been a home contractor, landscaper, computer technician, web/photo/video design work, auto mechanic (race car fabrication), plumber, electrician.. You name it, I've most likely been there. If I could done the saw cut myself, I would definitely would buy/rent a saw and do it myself no doubt.

 

[Fastback]

Find a guy with a sofcut machine, they make a pretty cut thats easy to fill.

 

[bigdav160]

Where are you located?

Where I'm from, I've never seen control joints cut in residential pours.

 

[synik]

Find a guy with a sofcut machine, they make a pretty cut thats easy to fill.
|image|

Thanks for the image, makes me really want the saw cuts definitely now. I will call around.

Where are you located?

Where I'm from, I've never seen control joints cut in residential pours.

I'm your neighbor, next door.. Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Yea, its uncommon to get residential pours saw cut. Although its because no one really ask. They got more to worry about on the house I guess. But for me, the garage comes first, then the house. LOL. I got lots of good plans for the garage, and saw cutting them is my first priority on the floor, then epoxy/stain (not sure what to go with just yet).

Thanks guys, I will check with the locals.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Rent the machine and do it your.

 

[Fastback]

If a floor moves it needs cut. I have heat in the floor, so it will move, and this is a cold weather area, so it would move anyway when the seasons change. I guess in the southwest things may be different, but I would use a sofcut and then push in some 1/8" backer rod followed by a flow-able, self leveling joint filler.

 

[MrMark]

I wouldn't cut it. Garage is borderline size-wise to cut. Most contractors now will want to cut to cover their asses. Half and half here on the cuts.

 

[Kevin54]

It must have something to do with location. Around here it's common to cut the next day. I wouldn't want a floor that wasn't cut because when it cracks it has someplace to follow. The only thing that doesn't get cut is a basement floor. Anything else at ground level has control joints