Garage Slab

[nev25]

I'm in the planning process for buying and erecting a kit garage
What will determine the size is the cost of the slab.

A local garage salesperson suggested I could the slab my self and save around $2000 on a 9X6 slab.
I spoke to a local building surveyor/inspector who said the main thing they look at is the footings.

I know its a lot of hard work but as I have never done any concreting before I cannot see anything complicated in it
And I have a few relatives who will give me a hand on the day I cannot see why not.

I assume all the I preparation have to do is level the ground dig the footings as per the supplied slab plan, Box it up, put the reo in on saddles.

After inspection I get the premix delivered and pour it in and level it out.

I'm also told the finishing is the hardest to do.

Am I missing something
Any hints

[journeyman Mick]

Nev,
once you've got the ground levelled, either by hand or machine you'll need to build some profiles at each corner and square and level up for your formwork. You'll need to borrow/buy/hire a screed, bull float, small mag float and a steel trowel as well as an edger. If the slab is large enough you may want a helicopter (steel trowelling machine). While placing and finishing concrete is simple in theory, in practice there's quite an art to it. I've done small slabs (up to 30M2) but when I did my shed (10 x 7.5) I did all the prep work and got a concretor in to place and finish it.

Mick

[seafurymike]

Nev,

I'm with Mick above, I recon you should try to do all the prep work and get someone with experience in to help you lay it. I need to do the same soon and i've got a couple of friends who do this for a living who are going to come over and help me. I expect i'll pay them an hourly rate for an many hours that they work. i'll let them be the foreman for the work.

/M

[Ronaldo451]

Nev, I layed some concrete slabs when building some extra sheds on our property a few years ago. Despite a lot of preparation, time and effort using all the right equipment the results were "OK" given they were by an amateur and served the purpose they were meant to. A few dips in the floor here and there was not going to affect how well stuff could be stored on it!

When it came time to build a garage in our new place in the city I thought about doing the slab myself but got a good deal from the shed mob to do the slab and erect the shed. I must admit it was great seeing 3 guys doing over 2 half days what it took me weeks to do by myself. And the final result was far superior to my best efforts - flat, level, square with a nicely finished surface.....Also, as they were also erecting the shed there was no 'blaming the other tradies' when it was being put up.

If this is going to be something that will affect the value of your home its worth considering getting the pro's in as the results will be around for quite some time.

[Vernonv]

Nev,
I'm with everyone above - do the prep work yourself but have a professional in to lay and finish.

It looks easy, but it sure isn't. I've done a few small slabs and by the end of each one I'd wished I'd gotten in a pro - mind you I must be a sucker for punishment because I keep doing it.