We are putting our utility building on a slab next to the house. I called about having concrete poured, 4" thick and 10x14 for $250 and I can handle that. We do the prep work and smoothing, they just back up the truck, dump it and leave.

Then I called a concrete finishing company, they do it all: prep, pour and finish, cost is $800-1000 (too much for my budget right now)

I don't know what's involved in getting it ready. Right now it's gravel, mushed down and packed hard with some loose on the top that I figured I could rake/shovel/move up next to the house to keep weeds down between building and the house. Then level the center area so it's even, set up boards, have it poured, level/smooth the top off.

It doesn't sound too hard but what do I know?

Am I at least on the right track?

kjh

 

a 10x14 slab of 4 inch concrete is a little less than 2 yds.(a yard is a cubic yard-3ftx3ftx3ft=81 sq. ft. at 4 inches.)
concrete here is about $80.00 a yard with a 3 yd. min. for no del. fee. i guess the price is about right.
if there is already gravel there that is tamped tightly, then i would form it up, square it up, level it up, put down concrete wire and pour. all the work is in finishing it. good luck.(check the weather first!)

 

Make sure the area is level so that you have enough concrete. Almost enough is not a good thing.

When you build your forms, be sure all the stakes are below the top of the form so you can screed easily. Good luck with your project.

 

OMG, am I glad I do not live in your area. I live in Texas, have been in construction from my youth. A slab (with a 12 x 12 footing) on average runs $3.75 a sq. ft. That is the contractor digging the footing, setting forms, installing #4 mesh and finishing. Your project here with a footing is just under 2 1/4 yds. At say $80.00 per thats $180.00 and $3.75 per sq. Installed another $525.00 for a total of $705.00. Thats only $95.00 lower then your lowest estimate. So why my OMG? Your pouring a 140 sq ft slab. Most of my work involves slabs twenty to one hundred times larger. So if I see a difference of at least $2.25 a sq ft on a 100,000 sq ft project, OMG. You can do this project yourself and hire a finisher if needed. Utility shed! Just screed it level, let it set a bit and do your best to polish the finish. Let the kids scribe their names and enjoy your new shed.

 

It ain't rocket science unless you are building a rocket.

 

Thanks for the replies. I don't want to order the building online and have it delivered until the slab is ready. Going to get DIY supplies next week and wait for nice weather.

Might go ahead and order/pay for the building but ask them to delay delivery until we are ready. It's a sale price with significant savings and I don't want to "miss out". I'll buy one regardless but hey, why not save some cash in the process?

kjh

 

A few points to remember...

The earth under the concrete needs to be treated for bugs before the pour. Mole crickets, ants and other critters love fresh concrete.

Make sure you install the tie points (j-bolts, straps, whatever) while the concrete is still wet. You need some way to attach the shed to the slab.

 

FWIW - when pouring a similar slab - I always dig out around the perimeter of the new slab a few inches deeper than the rest of the slab - providing a "footing" of sorts... Keeps the dirt from washing away from under the edges of the new slab -