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

[clovergamecock]

Yes..

So by your logic these forums should not even exsist for people like me looking for advice from those who have "been there done that"? Your response was very informative. I now know who not to listen to.:thumbsup:

 

[CurlyDave]

Pavers are more expensive and a lot of work also -- however the work is spread over a longer time and there is no critical, make or break step, like pouring and finishing the slab.

A wood deck is not going to be free, and is less durable than pavers or concrete. If you have anyone who smokes anywhere near the deck it will pick up burns.

I have done all three, and if I were doing it, I would go for pavers if I could afford it.

It will take longer, but it is good-looking and hard to screw up irreparably.

 

[EddieWalker]

There is only one thing that is important to concrete work, and that is how it will look when you are done. Everything else is simple, but making it look nice is an art, and something that takes time to learn how do do. The smaller you make it, the easier it is to do. The difference between an easy job and getting in over your head has a lot to do with the weather and how much concrete you can put down at one time and how many people you have to work it.

Size wise, it's real easy to do a nice job in small squares or rectangles. You have have smooth it out, and being able to get to it and work it before it hardens takes time to be able to do well. Doing smaller areas means that a beginner can do it fast enough to make it look decent. Trying to do a big area on your own for the first time will gurantee a disaster.

How old are you? What kind of shape are you in? How hot or cold will it be? How much concrete wil you be trying to work? How many people will be doing this? how particular are you on how it comes out?

Eddie

 

[clovergamecock]

Pavers are more expensive and a lot of work also -- however the work is spread over a longer time and there is no critical, make or break step, like pouring and finishing the slab.

A wood deck is not going to be free, and is less durable than pavers or concrete. If you have anyone who smokes anywhere near the deck it will pick up burns.

I have done all three, and if I were doing it, I would go for pavers if I could afford it.

It will take longer, but it is good-looking and hard to screw up irreparably.

Yes I think it is down to either pavers or a deck. With the pavers I still think that I might have to build some sort of retaining wall and bring in some fill dirt. I am just having a hard time pituring how it will look. With the deck I could either build a ground level deck or raise it up flush with the porch and the take the banister rails off of the porch to open it up to the deck.. But like you said it is less durable.

There is only one thing that is important to concrete work, and that is how it will look when you are done. Everything else is simple, but making it look nice is an art, and something that takes time to learn how do do. The smaller you make it, the easier it is to do. The difference between an easy job and getting in over your head has a lot to do with the weather and how much concrete you can put down at one time and how many people you have to work it.

Size wise, it's real easy to do a nice job in small squares or rectangles. You have have smooth it out, and being able to get to it and work it before it hardens takes time to be able to do well. Doing smaller areas means that a beginner can do it fast enough to make it look decent. Trying to do a big area on your own for the first time will gurantee a disaster.

How old are you? What kind of shape are you in? How hot or cold will it be? How much concrete wil you be trying to work? How many people will be doing this? how particular are you on how it comes out?

Eddie

Eddie,
I definately am thinking that a full on concrete patio is over my head at least from the finishing standpoint. I am 42 6'6" and in pretty good shape but also work 60 hours a week , have 2 kids 3 horses and 4 dogs oh and a wife so time is probably a concern. I need to decide on something than I can work on over time in the evenings and on weekends. I live in SC so weather really is not a concearn. It never gets real cold for long periods but the summers are pretty hot.


Thank you both for the comments and advice. Very helpful.
Wade

 

[Duffster]

So by your logic these forums should not even exsist for people like me looking for advice from those who have "been there done that"? Your response was very informative. I now know who not to listen to.:thumbsup:

Nope not at all.

Concrete isn't for the faint of heart.

It isn't like siding that can be done over time. Stopped and started. Get stumped come to the board and ask a question. Get really stumped stop and hire someone to finish. You can't "undo" concrete like you can a peice of siding. Atleast not cheaply.

Sorry if you don't like my bluntness but some questions are self answering.

 

[ray66v]

Not having at least one experienced person on concrete pour, can quickly result in a mess.

If you don't know someone who has experience you can recruit, and can't hire to help you that has experience, you probably should not do it on your own.

The exception would be if it is a very small job, where you can accept the cost of doing it over, if your not successful.

Or, you have Italian blood lines, in which case you will probably instinctively know what to do, since we invented the stuff. :laughing:

 

[clovergamecock]

Nope not at all.

Concrete isn't for the faint of heart.

It isn't like siding that can be done over time. Stopped and started. Get stumped come to the board and ask a question. Get really stumped stop and hire someone to finish. You can't "undo" concrete like you can a peice of siding. Atleast not cheaply.

Sorry if you don't like my bluntness but some questions are self answering.

This response was very helpful. I don't mind bluntness as long as the answer has "some" detail and meaning. I go by the old saying of "The only stupid question is the one not asked.". I agree with your response here as well as others. I don't think this is something that I can do myself or even have time to hire a helper. But without some answers and advice I would not have been able to make an informed decision. I have jumped into things before that were over my head and have learned "the hard way" that I cannot do everything myself.

Thank you for your "bluntness" in this resonse. It is appreciated.

Wade

 

[SSdoxie]

There is another option using concrete that will let you work at your own pace and give a paving stone appearance.

I used these forms to make a sidewalk. I bought a little electric ement mixer so didn't have to mix by hand in wheel barrow, used 3 forms after I got started. Fill each form and let set until concrete sets enough to hold shape the move and repeat until done. After it set and dried over the week, I used dry mix portland (cement), masonry, and little sand poured it over the blocks swept into the cracks then misted it down with garden hose sprinkler.
You can get more creative by adding color to the concrete and/or the grout.

 

[flusher]

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

Sloped job site--forget about concrete slab. Spend your sweat, time and money on building a nice, sturdy redwood deck. Less frustration that way--pouring concrete and finishing the surface correctly is a PITA for an amateur (like you and me).