Concrete Patio Built On Dirt???

beenthere · May 23, 2006

Gotta go with your feelings. I don't blame you for that. The re-bar will help, and will keep it a single floating slab.
Gotta wonder where the up-front talk was all about, and why, as to 4" of gravel. Just to set the hook?

Some pics of the finished project, or some even before, would be great. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

beenthere · May 23, 2006

Gotta go with your feelings. I don't blame you for that. The re-bar will help, and will keep it a single floating slab.
Gotta wonder where the up-front talk was all about, and why, as to 4" of gravel. Just to set the hook?

Some pics of the finished project, or some even before, would be great. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

HappyCPE · May 23, 2006

The patio stone and concrete needs to be on the structural subsoil. They are putting your patio on topsoil, which is not only useful around the house but contains organic materials that will decompose and settle. Make sure your gang of hoser masons actually removes ALL the topsoil before they put stone in. Sometimes there is much more than 4"; in spots I have 12-16" in the pasture.

HappyCPE · May 23, 2006

The patio stone and concrete needs to be on the structural subsoil. They are putting your patio on topsoil, which is not only useful around the house but contains organic materials that will decompose and settle. Make sure your gang of hoser masons actually removes ALL the topsoil before they put stone in. Sometimes there is much more than 4"; in spots I have 12-16" in the pasture.

mudcat · May 23, 2006

I agree, the topsoil needs to go!

mudcat · May 23, 2006

I agree, the topsoil needs to go!

MikeFromVA · May 23, 2006

Actually, not too much topsoil here. They cut my house out of a hillside and scraped away all of the topsoil. It's pretty much solid clay. There are some bare spots that have nothing growing on them after 2 years of being bare. I'll take some pics and post them tomorrow...

MikeFromVA · May 23, 2006

Actually, not too much topsoil here. They cut my house out of a hillside and scraped away all of the topsoil. It's pretty much solid clay. There are some bare spots that have nothing growing on them after 2 years of being bare. I'll take some pics and post them tomorrow...

LarryD · May 23, 2006

How can placing the forms on top of the existing ground be the same cost as scraping, bringing in structural fill, and compacting. Sounds an auful lot like "bait and switch". Each activity has an associated cost and if you eliminate 3 activities you eliminate the cost. Don't forget disposal costs of the excavated material (truck and pit costs).

If I tried the same thing in my job I'd be asked for a "Deductive Change Order" to the contract, IF the engineer OK'ed the concrete placement on the ground.

I've never seen concrete poured on topsoil and grass but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I wouldn't do it at my house and I'm sitting on top of glacial till, basically a gravel pit. I would always remove the topsoil.

Can you ask for a cost breakdown of the job?

LarryD · May 23, 2006

How can placing the forms on top of the existing ground be the same cost as scraping, bringing in structural fill, and compacting. Sounds an auful lot like "bait and switch". Each activity has an associated cost and if you eliminate 3 activities you eliminate the cost. Don't forget disposal costs of the excavated material (truck and pit costs).

If I tried the same thing in my job I'd be asked for a "Deductive Change Order" to the contract, IF the engineer OK'ed the concrete placement on the ground.

I've never seen concrete poured on topsoil and grass but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I wouldn't do it at my house and I'm sitting on top of glacial till, basically a gravel pit. I would always remove the topsoil.

Can you ask for a cost breakdown of the job?