Thinking of pouring a concrete patio on my own. Doable?

[vwnotrunning]

Everything but finishing. I have poured concrete several times and one time I thought I knew enough about finishing. While finishing it looked nearly perfect - till it cured and I looked at it the next day. I was convinced someone must have replaced my perfect finish overnight.

 

[clovergamecock]

Thanks for all the replies and advice guys!! I have refurbished an exsisting deck before and even added in a screen porch. Last year me and a friend built my 3 stall barn and I have restored a corvette and restoring a Chevelle right now. However I do have a desk job....

Today I was out slopping the dirt away from my barn to improve drainage. While doing it I looked at the back of the house again. If you are looking at the back of the house the crawl space starts at about 2 feet off the ground and it slopes to the left with the end being about 5 1/2 feet off the ground. So my thinking is that I would either have to bring in a lot of dirt or build a retaining wall. Agree?

If this is the case I think I should probably look at a free standing deck coming off the back porch which extends the length of the house.

Thoughts??


Thanks
Wade

 

[edlegault]

Maybe build a wooden deck instead? Easier to set on sloped land.

 

[Gator6x4]

Ground contact lumber has increased in price. What I would do: Call in a couple of contractors and see what they would charge to construct a rock wall on the low end and pour the slab with you helping with some of the digging.

You could then shop the lumber yards and price the lumber it would take to build the size deck you want.

Go with the cost winner. Deck or slab.

 

[Egon]

It all depends on your local conditions. Availability of fill material. Access for outside equipment. The specifics of retaining wall construction.

Then do a cost estimate and decide.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Around here we dig it out ourselves and form it. Buy the concrete and wire mesh and I can get a 2 or 3 man crew pour and finish for $.65 per sq ft. They have all the tools and know how.

I have had this done twice. 7 yds of side walks. 6 yds on a barn extension. 12 yds on a barn entry stoop and generator pad.

Chris

 

[rjmack]

oops, missed a few posts...

good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[Duffster]

Hey guys!

I would like to put a patio off my back steps and not sure if this is something I can do or do some of to save some money. I have a Kubota 2800 4x4 with a bucket and a box blade. The yard has a slope to it so I am not sure how to account for that. Is there a site that I can reference that will show me the steps to do this? Anyone done something similar? Pictures?


Thanks
Wade

If you have to ask...................

 

[clovergamecock]

If you have to ask...................

Really?????

 

[Duffster]

Really?????

Yes..