Concrete floor costs

[s219]

I am getting estimates for a concrete floor in my new 20x20 pole barn (build thread here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/309675-20x20-pole-barn-project.html). I want a 4" slab of fiber reinforced 3500 psi mix, with thickened edges all around (approx 8-10" thick) to backfill behind the skirt boards. I estimate 5 yards for the floor and another 1-2 yards for the thickened parts. Trowel finish.

So far, I called three contractors and only one got back to me. His price was $4050, which seems extremely high (almost $600/yard). Last year, I paid $270/yard for a driveway pad which included a lot of form work and prep for an exposed aggregate surface. In comparison, pouring in a pole barn seems like a slam dunk -- they really just need to put up a form by the front door opening and some expansion strip around the edges, pour, and finish.

I guess if I don't hear back from the other two, I'll call a fourth guy in the area, who does good work but is hard to track down. He did my driveway last year, and it took 4-6 weeks of phone calls to finally get him out.

At this rate, a gravel floor is looking better and better! Only downside is that I was hoping to put implements on dollies....

 

[RoMad]

Can you do it yourself. Concrete work is hard work but not really difficult to lay out, form, pour and finish. A 20 by 20 slab is not too big to hand trowel. I'll bet you could buy a book at Home Depot or Lowes that would tell you everything you need to know. You can rent a bull float and trowels.

 

[Western]

That's almost twice what you'd pay here, including re-bar! I'd call around or do it my self with a buddy, a rented float and a 12 pack.

 

[newbury]

Try search here -
There's another thread going for a guy in Manassas a month or so ago.

 

[s219]

That other thread was a good read.

I have seen concrete work done a few times, and know all the steps, but have never actually done large jobs myself -- just small stuff like stoops and generator pads. In those cases, a board was used to level and surface the pad on the edge of the forms. Inside the pole barn there won't be forms, just a chalk line on the wall, so I'd be figuring it out as I go. I suspect it would look like a real amateur job if I did the work!

I was expecting to pay $1600-2000 for this job, which seems like a very reasonable cost to have a pro do the work and result in a nice floor.

 

[Tollster]

I was thinking the same thing, rent a power float, and take it for a spin (pun) after a six or two, maybe even lay down some rebar and make a weekend of it. Plan for drainage, maybe a slope or a drain pipe system ... you'll be happier and know what you got... its a work out though... oil the form edges, and work the air out thoroughly..., I would rebar it so maybe you don't have to stress relieve it as much.. make your saw cuts any place you have a stress riser, or angle in the form..

 

[Ken45101]

I think our basement floor must have been done by some first time people. There is a 2" variation in level every few feet It doesn't drain well. Heck, it doesn't drain at all!

A few years ago, I was having concrete work done on the driveway and they were charging me $3/sq ft, concrete included.