I want to build a garage w/ a concrete pad and was wondering about “forms”.
Is it less expensive to have the concrete company lay them or get a sub-crew?
I would do it but don’t want to incur the wood costs.
The pad will be 34’x34’
I’m in the Santee area.
I haven’t made any calls yet, just wondering if anyone had any experience with this and how to get started. Thanks
This is what I do for a living, only on the industrial side. It will be much cheaper to form it yourself, just hire someone to pour and finish it. Your looking at $3000+ in concrete alone if you do a 6" thick slab, plus labor to pour and finish. I’m guessing residential is going to be around $2.50 to $3.50 a square foot to pour and finish. Forming and stripping your self is going to save you at least a grand in labor and mark up on forming materials…Just my 2 cents.
I agree with Gradyfan. One way or the other you are going to incur the wood costs. Either with or without the labor markup.
When you do form it up, don’t skimp on the bracing. You would be surprised at how much pressure concrete will exert on forms that you think are Good Enough! It will bow them, big time.
quote:
Originally posted by EasyWhen you do form it up, don’t skimp on the bracing. You would be surprised at how much pressure concrete will exert on forms that you think are Good Enough! It will bow them, big time.
Amen to that…
Turkey… the other white meat.
Just remember there is way more labor involved than just building forms and placing. IMO the footing excavation, rebar placement, backfill, and poly is way more labor than the forming.
I would get some turn key prices with some breakouts of savings if you do some things yourself. I think you will find it advantageous to just get someone to do all of it. Unless you are in the construction industry and have knowledgable friends to help out with tools, it’s not going to be worth it.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Thats what I was thinking Geronimo… Money isnt a problem, its getting started thats standing in my way.
Grading, back-fill, framing, ect.
Grady, you have any contacts in the Santee area? folks to stay away from?
mckeeX2; Are they building any new homes near you? If they are stop and look at them. Most concrete work for homes is subbed out! If you like what you see, ask who did it. Most likely local guys.
quote:
Originally posted by mckee1mckeeThats what I was thinking Geronimo… Money isnt a problem, its getting started thats standing in my way.
Grading, back-fill, framing, ect.
Grady, you have any contacts in the Santee area? folks to stay away from?
I don’t have any residential contacts, everything I do is industrial, you wouldn’t want to pay those rates. But one thing to keep in mind is get more than one quote for it, 3 or 4 if you can, ask to see there work, and remember the cheapest guy isn’t always the best. If they won’t show you any of there past or current work, I would think twice before hiring. Also get everything in writing, warranties, contract prices, EVERYTHING, and once you start try to avoid making changes, EVERY contractor, including myself loves change orders, that’s where the money is at:sunglasses:. If you do hire somebody and they give you a “we can have this completed by this date” hold them to it, stay on them and check there work as they go, as your stuck with it once its done.
Finds someone to do it for you. Concrete contractors don’t like to form if they don’t have to. Its one less thing they have to liable for. If you form, grade and set it up he has zero responsibility for the pad if it fails, is out of square, sloped wrong, takes more mud, etc. If he has to form it, place it, finish it and buy it, then he’s going to be more concerned with doing it right. You form it, buy the material, grade it etc, he can come in throw it down and leave you with a floated finish that spalls off in a year. Make them do it all and hold money back until you have a chance to make sure the work is acceptable.
Not a slight to Gradyfan in any way but there are a lot of Mudmen that will take you for a ride given the chance and if you don’t protect yourself you are left with a mess that sticks around for a while or costs even more to dispose of. Might actually benefit you to find someone that knows a little about it and pay them to oversee things.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
quote:
Originally posted by saltydog235Finds someone to do it for you. Concrete contractors don’t like to form if they don’t have to. Its one less thing they have to liable for. If you form, grade and set it up he has zero responsibility for the pad if it fails, is out of square, sloped wrong, takes more mud, etc. If he has to form it, place it, finish it and buy it, then he’s going to be more concerned with doing it right. You form it, buy the material, grade it etc, he can come in throw it down and leave you with a floated finish that spalls off in a year. Make them do it all and hold money back until you have a chance to make sure the work is acceptable.
Not a slight to Gradyfan in any way but there are a lot of Mudmen that will take you for a ride given the chance and if you don’t protect yourself you are left with a mess that sticks around for a while or costs even more to dispose of. Might actually benefit you to find someone that knows a little about it and pay them to oversee things.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
No slight at all, I agree a hundred percent, get a general contractor, I just assumed in his first post he had everything else arranged, only asked about forming. And everything you say is very true which is why I will not mess with residential. Theres no margins, so making money is tuff and sometimes its the customer that gets the shaft.
quote:
Originally posted by Gradyfan243quote:
Originally posted by saltydog235Finds someone to do it for you. Concrete contractors don’t like to form if they don’t have to. Its one less thing they have to liable for. If you form, grade and set it up he has zero responsibility for the pad if it fails, is out of square, sloped wrong, takes more mud, etc. If he has to form it, place it, finish it and buy it, then he’s going to be more concerned with doing it right. You form it, buy the material, grade it etc, he can come in throw it down and leave you with a floated finish that spalls off in a year. Make them do it all and hold money back until you have a chance to make sure the work is acceptable.
Not a slight to Gradyfan in any way but there are a lot of Mudmen that will take you for a ride given the chance and if you don’t protect yourself you are left with a mess that sticks around for a while or costs even more to dispose of. Might actually benefit you to find someone that knows a little about it and pay them to oversee things.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
No slight at all, I agree a hundred percent, get a general contractor, I just assumed in his first post he had everything else arranged, only asked about forming. And everything you say is very true which is why I will not mess with residential. Theres no margins, so making money is tuff and sometimes its the customer that gets the
Thanks for all the info fellas…[seriously]
Looks like I have my work cut out for me…
Guess I’ll hit the “local tackle shops” and see who hasn’t gotten ripped off. LOL
check your PM, my dad is a GC in Harleyville, he will give you some info.
Chris
Greenville
36 Century
Chasin Tail