Hey CFers, Looking to have an approximately 50-70 square foot concrete patio/slab put in my back yard. Looked at doing it myself and I don't want to risk it. Can you guys recommend anyone? Also, if any of you have had this put in, what kind of costs can I expect?
What do you mean by you looked into doing it yourself? If you could build the forms and lay the rebar you could just call a concrete truck to fill it. On a small slab like that, working it would be simple. You don't need expansion joints or anything. The size is a tweener. Too large to do bags and small for a truck that can carry 15 yards. Your slab is about a yard or two.
I can build the forms and lay the rebar but I wouldn't be comfortable mixing and laying that concrete all by myself. I have never done it before and I wouldn't want to mess it up. And wouldn't calling the concrete truck basically be paying them to do it? I looked at the measurments and I am looking at basically getting 1 yard.
No the concrete guy just builds the forms and orders the truck. Then spreads and smooths it out. You can order concrete yourself. If your backyard has access, it will simple. If not you may need a wheelbarrow to transport it. I doubt they will bring out a pump for 1 yard. Either way you will save a TON of cash over hiring a guy for such a small job.
I'm up in the DFW area, but I had my patio expanded last year by something like 100 sq. ft. I had to get a city permit to do it. I think it ran me something like $800-$900 or so to get the contractor to do it, including the permit if I recall. If it's an extension of your existing patio, make sure you slope it away from the existing patio or after a nice rain, you'll have a pool for a patio. :grin:
That's about 3 times the costs of just the concrete. Easily worth it if you don't want to DIY, but small slabs are technically simple and easy to work because you can do everything standing outside of the forms.
surprised TroLy-D hasn't chimed in on this one. He's supposed to come by my place next week and set up my new tv maybe he can pour your concrete afterwards.
Don't be a puss and do it yourself. Like one of the posters said, you don't have to mix it yourself. Order. Truck and have you and a buddy wheelbarrow it in. The frame and rebar are pretty easy as long as you know how to level. It would probably take a Saturday's work. You can also rent a mixer at home depot. http://youtu.be/BzKBrtRxh6Q
Bandwagoner is right this isn't that difficult for something this size. I've done some concrete work myself on my house and was initially nervous but if you follow the instructions even mixing it is pretty simple. What are you pouring the slab for? It sounds way too small to be a drive way so if it's just a small patio you don't even have to be concerned about the weight of a car. For non-structural concrete you don't have to be overly careful with the mix. While you don't want to screw it up so much it doesn't set right if you are little off on your ratios it won't doom it. Further Quickcrete and other companies sell mixes that already contain the right ratios of cement, sand and gravel you just have to add water. If you can follow a cake or pancake recipe you can mix your own concrete for a non-structural slab. Here's some links to videos that might be helpful. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+pour+a+concrete+slab
It's already done before you finished posting, foo'! Haha. LOL @ comparing pouring cement with installing a simple TV. I'm glad I'm MEXICAN and know tools when I see some, you TOOL. Now fetch me my Coronas, joto. Your wife said hi. Nice tile floors!
I never disagree with posts that give me props. I would say that mixing 50 bags of concrete is a big, dirty dusty task and I would order a truck for anything close to that size. I don't think a portable mixer will even handle that much. Good point that you don't need to worry about the mix that much. You can get the truck to add water and it will make laying the concrete easier. RJ: Do you know off hand rules for expansion joints on concrete taking the weight of equipment? I've always been curious if it is more about square footage or linear feet or what the idea is. Feel free to turn this into a concrete lecture. Not cool.
No joke I really want to make a polished concrete entertainment center. Something like this but with bolted panels on the front. And no 1980's telephone.
