Concrete estimate

[kw22614]

Am considering hiring a contractor to frame, supply/pour and broom finish a 480sq ft (40' X 12') with 2 or 3 control joints, 4"-5" thick, 4000 psi concrete patio to the back of the house. I figure about 9 or 10 yards. Have plenty of access for mixer(s) & equipment. I'll do the ground prep myself. I'm in Northern Va area. Anybody know what the square footage rate is? I've gotten 1 estimate so far that absolutely took my breath away, and he told me he was the cheapest around! I used to do some concrete work years ago but the market was very reasonable back then and I just don't have the back or hips for it anymore, just wondering if it's even worth getting anymore estimates. Thanks, KW

 

[vtsnowedin]

I have no idea what the rates are in VA but I get it as 7.4 yards and order 8.0. Up here that would run you a couple of grand on a well prepared easy to get at base. It will be interesting to see what other members closer to you have to say.

 

[newbury]

I seem to remember last year I was getting over the phone quotes of about $150/yard for concrete delivered for northern Virginia. It was the other costs that ran fairly high.

Remember unemployment (at least in Fairfax) is about 4% and the building season is just starting, labor is likely to be tight and dear. The more work you can do yourself the better.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Around here concrete is $100 per yard. We poured 4 Yds yesterday. Finished only is $.75 per sq ft. To do the whole job, prep, frame, pour, finish it's about $6 per sq ft. That includes materials.

Chris

 

[Egon]

Have you considered pavers?

 

[ace10]

As was said previously, it's Spring in NoVA. Labor is scarce. Expect to see crazy quotes.

Two years ago I hired our a small-ish job similar in size to yours and was shocked at the price my neighbor gave me. There was profit, but the materials were basically at cost.

I'm guessing the first price you saw was something like $3000 or higher. Just a total guess, though.

A few jobs back, one of my other local guys was bringing in laborers from OH to do flatwork.

 

[newbury]

OP -
Whatever you get done please post here. I'm looking to get a driveway (10?x60?) and small garage (24?x20?) pad poured. All details will be welcome.

/edit -
Which brings up a point - when in general is it the least expensive to get concrete work done?

 

[LD1]

Alot of the price depends on what concrete cost in your area. IT seems to be a regional thing, and how far from a plant you are.

In my area, $100/yd deliverd and taxed is about normal.

At 4" I am figuring just under 6 yds. @ 5" its 7.4 yds. So my prices would be ~600-$750 for material.

Also, is ground prep done? Or do they need to do that.

Since it is just a broom finish, have you considered doing it yourself. Get some buddies and a few cases of beer? And if so, the ~$45 rental of a power screed is well worth the money.

I have always done my own concrete work, but have been told by others that either have it done or are in the business, that finishing it = price of concrete. And prepping (forms) and spreading = cost of concrete.

So based on that, if no site prep is required other than forms, I'd say a turn-key job would be in the 1800-2150 range. Maybe a little less on the finish since your just getting it broomed.

What was the quote BTW?

 

[newbury]

IF you are doing it yourself and will be doing other "jobs" like it in the future you might be able to get the wood for the forms from dismantled decks. I replaced most of my deck about 6 years or so ago and still haven't used up ALL the 2x6's I tore off.

BUT if you have to go out and buy all new lumber and throw it away after the job that could add up to a $1/sq ft by itself.

 

[vtsnowedin]

OP -

Which brings up a point - when in general is it the least expensive to get concrete work done?

It varies with the climate. The construction season in Florida is a lot different then it is in New England.
For Virginia I'd think late spring would be the cheapest as the plants have their drivers in hand but big construction jobs are still digging holes. Late summer and fall is bad as your not going to get one load shipped to you when they need fifty loads for a bridge deck with no break in deliveries.

 

[6sunset6]

I am just about to do a 31.5 x 20' x 5.5" slab just under 11cy. I tore out the old slab ( talk about crushing later) graded, formed and laid out #4 rebar 2' centers on chairs. Placing 11 cy is not something I do myself. Got one price $1300 for concrete and $1200 to place and broom finish. I do the control cracks a couple days later with a diamond blade in a skill saw. Sounded ok to me I used to pay for placing about the price of material. Since I have a wife I had to get a second price. Guy came same deal told me $10 /sq ft . I had to get the zeros straight $6300 Amazing. I guess there are people who pay that. The only trouble I have seems to be getting the first guy to show up. He was here this morning and said Monday or Thursday. I hope. Now back to Crushing maybe a new thread.

 

[LD1]

Is that 1300 for just the concrete and an additional 1200 for pouring and brooming?

If so, that sounds about right IMO.

 

[300UGUY]

It's been 3 years, but I paid $5500 for 2500 sq ft here in Michigan, complete job.

 

[LD1]

I don't think concrete prices have chances much in 3 years. When I did my shop in 2008 or 2009, it was $1230 for 12 yards.

When I did the other half of the pole barn last year, it was $780 for 7 yards on a Saturday.

 

[kw22614]

Thanks all. Still weighing all my options and waiting for a couple more estimates before I decide to go or no. So far the 1 est I got was -get this- $9 sq ft.- that's $4,320.00. I still have a cash account with a local concrete co and can get the 4000 psi myself for about $140 a yard. I thought people were hungry for work, but they're just pricing themselves out (of my wallet anyway). Have a 10'X10' deck of 2' x 2' x 2" pavers in place for the past 10 years but they continually move and grass and weeds grow between them so I'm not sure I want more of the same. Will keep this thread updated as the project moves, curves or stalls.

 

[LD1]

Is there any other concrete plants in your area. I'd call all of em. $140/yd seems steep for 4000psi

 

[PoorPlowboy]

Last summer I had a 32'x40'x5.5" (~24 yards, 1280sq ft) poured. I did all of the site prep and forms. Paid $115/yd for 3500psi w/ fiber and the finishers charged $0.50 sq. Ft. I saved $6 sq ft ($7680) by doing the site prep and forms myself. My back still hurts!

 

[sd455dan]

Am considering hiring a contractor to frame, supply/pour and broom finish a 480sq ft (40' X 12') with 2 or 3 control joints, 4"-5" thick, 4000 psi concrete patio to the back of the house. I figure about 9 or 10 yards. Have plenty of access for mixer(s) & equipment. I'll do the ground prep myself. I'm in Northern Va area. Anybody know what the square footage rate is? I've gotten 1 estimate so far that absolutely took my breath away, and he told me he was the cheapest around! I used to do some concrete work years ago but the market was very reasonable back then and I just don't have the back or hips for it anymore, just wondering if it's even worth getting anymore estimates. Thanks, KW

We paid about 125 per yard delivered for 5000 psi strength, and hired a small outfit to do the job for my 30 x 48 garage....


What ever you do get a company that is bonded and insured if they make a mistake.



In my case i didn't check and there were places in the floor that were out of level by over 1 1/2 inch in 4 feet:shocked:. Then when asked what he was going to do about it admitted he had no bonding/insurance and said he would start breaking out the old concrete and replace it...

I asked if he had the money to do that and he asked how much the concrete cost when i said over 3000 he said maybe he can get a loan... after spending an additional 800 on leveling material and 600 on epoxy shield -of my own money- lesson learned and it will never be as good as it would be -had it been done right....

 

[newbury]

$9 sq ft.- that's $4,320.00. I still have a cash account with a local concrete co and can get the 4000 psi myself for about $140 a yard. I thought people were hungry for work,

Well, I wrote $150/yard.
And people ARE NOT HUNGRY FOR WORK in the Northern Virginia area. Especially QUALITY building work after a long cold winter.

Manassas is in the Northern Virginia, Washington DC job area. Unemployment is LOW, around 4%. Now if you get your concrete work done in Mississippi or Illinois where the rates are around 10% you'll probably find cheaper labor, but it will be a pain to haul to Manassas.

Even in a tight labor market you can usually find good workers and cheap workers, but the good ones are not cheap and the cheap ones are not good.

Your only doing 480 sq feet. About 30 years ago I built a 150 sq ft shed w/ a 5" pad. I dug the entire pad by hand (w/ shovel) in hard clay, poured the gravel base, sat the rebar, built the forms. Had a truck pull in to pour. Then I floated etc. with rented equipment. Other than digging the D@&* hole in clay harder than a rock with a pick and shovel it was easy work. 500 sq foot would be easily doable w/ 2 people and even a BX1860 beats the heck out of a shovel. For my driveway/garage I'm planning 2 adult sons and myself can handle the prep and post pour.

 

[Underdog57]

I work for a concrete supplier, people call us and ask who we would recommend for concrete jobs. I would call the Redi-Mix Co. They know who the good guys are!