Concrete Slab - Sanity Check $$$....A Bit Different.
#1
08-04-14, 10:52 AM
Concrete Slab - Sanity Check $$$....A Bit Different.
Okay....so I'm looking to get a slab poured INSIDE my garage and could use a sanity check. Here is what I'm working with.
Existing garage is 20x20 with fieldstone perimeter. Inside dimensions are 18.5'x18.5'. Existing floor is dirt.
I'm looking for a vapor barrier and some basic reinforcement (rebar/mesh/etc) and basic prep. No need to make forms as the fieldstone will act as the form. It looks like it will take about 5 yards of concrete to complete.
The only hiccup is that it is about 30' from the end of the driveway to the garage, with an old septic system in between. The concrete will have to be brought in be wheelbarrow or pumped.
I've got 2 quotes so far. One guy was $2,500 and one was $900. I would expect this job to be about as easy as they come for the concrete pros. I was wondering what you guys think of the costs involved.
Thanks!
Existing garage is 20x20 with fieldstone perimeter. Inside dimensions are 18.5'x18.5'. Existing floor is dirt.
I'm looking for a vapor barrier and some basic reinforcement (rebar/mesh/etc) and basic prep. No need to make forms as the fieldstone will act as the form. It looks like it will take about 5 yards of concrete to complete.
The only hiccup is that it is about 30' from the end of the driveway to the garage, with an old septic system in between. The concrete will have to be brought in be wheelbarrow or pumped.
I've got 2 quotes so far. One guy was $2,500 and one was $900. I would expect this job to be about as easy as they come for the concrete pros. I was wondering what you guys think of the costs involved.
Thanks!
#3
08-04-14, 11:01 AM
Wow thanks for the quick reply. I have never had concrete work done and have no experience doing it myself but I thought $2,500 was too high. It seemed like he was pricing it as if he had to do the forms and pour footings as well. The guy that was $900 seemed shady.
#5
08-04-14, 11:05 AM
For an 18.5x18.5 area what is the ballpark costs for the other materials? I assume some base like sand or crushed stone and then some reinforcement right?
#6
08-04-14, 11:37 AM
Group Moderator
I'm not a concrete pro so it is hard to say, plus I can't see the job. 
If you have good dirt in your garage you may not need some fill. However, if it is not a good base then some might need to be removed.
Reinforcement can be anything from rebar and/or wire mesh, to just fiber mixed into the concrete. Rebar/mesh is likely less expensive but more labor to install. Plus it does no good if it is just sitting on the ground.
Be sure to look at their bids. If it is just a number, I would move on. They should spell out what they will do.
Add/remove/compact base?
rebar, wire mesh, fiber in the mix?
PSI of mix? getting it from a ready mix plant? (I have seen some people mix pallets of bags from the home store)
Broom finish? Smooth finish?
Saw cut control joints?
$2500 doesn't sound bad depending on what they are going to do.
If you have good dirt in your garage you may not need some fill. However, if it is not a good base then some might need to be removed.
Reinforcement can be anything from rebar and/or wire mesh, to just fiber mixed into the concrete. Rebar/mesh is likely less expensive but more labor to install. Plus it does no good if it is just sitting on the ground.
Be sure to look at their bids. If it is just a number, I would move on. They should spell out what they will do.
Add/remove/compact base?
rebar, wire mesh, fiber in the mix?
PSI of mix? getting it from a ready mix plant? (I have seen some people mix pallets of bags from the home store)
Broom finish? Smooth finish?
Saw cut control joints?
$2500 doesn't sound bad depending on what they are going to do.
#7
08-05-14, 04:54 AM
I'll be getting more quotes. To be honest I was expecting more like $1,250-1,500. Not that I had any reason to I just figured $600-800 in material and two guys for a day. I have no experience in this work to back these numbers up, it just seemed reasonable to me using my internet pocket calculator.
I don't think the soil needs compaction or manual work. Just put some basic reinforcement down and start pouring. The garage has been there for over a hundred years and plenty of vehicles, horses, and carriages have packed it down pretty good.
If $2,500 seems reasonable for a pour-and-go job......geeeez, what the heck would a full start to finish 20x20 slab cost? Probably double that I imagine. I guess the price has gone up considerably over the years.
I don't think the soil needs compaction or manual work. Just put some basic reinforcement down and start pouring. The garage has been there for over a hundred years and plenty of vehicles, horses, and carriages have packed it down pretty good.
If $2,500 seems reasonable for a pour-and-go job......geeeez, what the heck would a full start to finish 20x20 slab cost? Probably double that I imagine. I guess the price has gone up considerably over the years.
#8
08-05-14, 03:22 PM
Member
Yes, prices of concrete work have definitely gone up. I'm probably dating myself by saying I can remember when DOT average unit bid prices for Superstructure Concrete were $35 a C.Y., in place. Now they are always higher than $300 a C.Y.
I wouldn't go with the $900 guy--he doesn't have enough money in it to do a decent job, but rather will be cutting every corner he can to just break even. Make a point of asking whoever you go with exactly how he plans to finish the area to a true grade, how many and how he'll install control joints, and how he'll delineate (separate) between the fieldstone walls and new slab. You don't want them in direct contact.
I wouldn't go with the $900 guy--he doesn't have enough money in it to do a decent job, but rather will be cutting every corner he can to just break even. Make a point of asking whoever you go with exactly how he plans to finish the area to a true grade, how many and how he'll install control joints, and how he'll delineate (separate) between the fieldstone walls and new slab. You don't want them in direct contact.
#9
08-05-14, 04:26 PM
unless your floor's going to be thicker than 4", no specifier would order any mesh or steel... better you should have a good jnt pattern properly installed than anything else,,, IF you want to pay the addl cost of fiber, that's up to you,,, i wouldn't but you're paying the bill,,, vapor barrier's a toss-up for me,,, IF you'll eventually put a fancy look on the floor, yes,,, if not, i wouldn't,,, expansion jnt, yes !
bdge's right - $ 900 is too low
bdge's right - $ 900 is too low
#10
08-06-14, 06:06 AM
Thanks stadry. I'm starting to think that the reinforcement is not necessary and all that I need is some expansion joints. This is a good thing because it is just a 100 year old horse barn that I am making new-ish again. Its not a brand new 20x20 two story garage and I'm not expecting it to look like it.
I do want a vapor barrier because I would like to paint the floor for gasoline and oil resistance someday...thats about the only reason.
So really its about $600-800 in material and the rest is labor. They will probably bring in a pump truck if they are unwilling to go on my driveway. The garage is about 75' from the street or about 25' from the end of the driveway.
I do want a vapor barrier because I would like to paint the floor for gasoline and oil resistance someday...thats about the only reason.
So really its about $600-800 in material and the rest is labor. They will probably bring in a pump truck if they are unwilling to go on my driveway. The garage is about 75' from the street or about 25' from the end of the driveway.
