So do I. However, he didn't include the prep work and materials to get the pad ready to build the forms and lay down the vapor barrier and mesh. Stripping & levelling the original dirt,grass, etc. Buying and spreading the gravel base, etc. Still cheaper to DIY but factor in all materials & time.
In 2008, I decided to build a 12 by 8 pool shed to accommodate the pumps/filters and some extra space for equipment storage, etc...we set up a wooden former on a compacted gravel base and used the mesh to give the base strength, J bolts to accommodate the framing tie-down in windy conditions, etc. I used a local concrete company to deliver our 1 cubic yard of needed concrete (concrete was probably 4-5 inch depth with small undulations in the sub base) and barrowed it quickly from curbside to the base site using two barrows (two wheeler barrows to avoid spillage and save our backs!)....I was worried about messing it up but we were as prepared as we could be and..... the result was fantastic! And to this day, no cracks in the base, the shed still looks amazing and I saved a packet by doing it myself with my lovely wife assisting....seeing this video brings it all back to me! Having an assistant or two is definitely the key, depending upon the size of the pad....
Reminds me of my young son and I; me teaching him how to work and him teaching me he's totally dazed and confused, which reminds me of my dad and I working together when I was young. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I’m the estimator for a concrete company in Nebraska and for a 4” pad with wire mesh we are usually about $5-$6 setup and poured. Unless you’re doing fence posts, do what Jeff says and order a truck. It A MILLION times faster and can end up saving you a lot of time and money. Great video Jeff!
When you lay rebar into a section that will have concrete poured into it, you need to raise the rebar up so the concrete will flow under it. That will strengthen the pad.
Great video, one thing I learned that really changed my concrete finished product for the better were the following steps. Pour concrete, screed immediately, tramp down aggregate, screed again and cut in edges. Then wait until all bleed water evaporates, however long that takes. Then start your trowel work. After concrete has setup, wet it down and cover for 3-4 days so it can slowly cure. I didn't know about the vapor barrier, but I'll be sure to lay one down next time. Awesome as always Jeff!
I would definitely rent a bull float and a fresno, will save you soooo much time and agro, and will give a great finish. Also viewers if you don't lift the mesh during the pour it's pretty much useless, and hold it back from the form edges 4 inches or it will rust out.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Planning on building a shed and greenhouse in Alaska, and a practise shed back home in Jamaica. These videos have been the most helpful source I’ve found. Thank you.
So, I have been planning a 14 x 20 building to use as a Man Cave golf suite with a launch monitor in it. Building the forms and pouring the concrete is my first step. This video made me feel comfortable doing it with a buddy. I talked to my Nephew who does concrete foundations and finishing and he said this video is great. He actually said I didn't need the mesh because the concrete that I am going to use is strong enough on its own, but I am still going to use it. Thanks for the video, I'll come back and share how my buddy and I did with the slab when I am done. You are awesome. I have watched several of your videos and you always make it simple and give me tips that I don't think about. In this video you gave me the idea of putting a vapor barrier in. I would not have done that. Thanks again for another great video.
Love the cost comparison and contrasting with the previous shed. Sometimes I have more time than money, sometimes I don’t. This gives me a great way to think about a project. Thanks!
The cost comparison and break down of the projects is an excellent idea. It helps people like me who are just getting started on more labor intensive projects.
Great video. I love how you show your mistakes and the things you've learned. I've done many concrete pours with a little mixer. If you are mixing your own concrete or have a lot of little projects you can order a dump truck load of aggregate that is mixed for making concrete ( correct ratio of sand and gravel ). In my area you pay $630 CAD delivered for 12 yards. You then just buy the cement bags and use 6 parts aggregate to 1 part cement when mixing way cheaper than buying the readymix bags.
Ahh interesting, although that does make sense, dont have to have a motor to turn the drum..just an auger in the back it looked like to mix it before the chute. So the viability for jobs of all sizes is right up a mixing truck like thats alley.
Lost our house in a house fire this spring so I'm getting a crash course on all things homebuilding. Finances dictate we really need to do as much ourselves as possible. First is getting some education on the whole process, otherwise we don't even know what questions to ask. Second is identifying all the options, figuring out the most important places to spend our money and trying to find tradesmen who are willing to let us work with them. Your videos and approach are very helpful, thank you.
I subscribed because of the cost breakdown of the various options - of course I like doing it all myself, however I don't always have the time - so much appreciated!
I remember making a patio with my Dad. It was about the same area. My brother and I worked two very long days mixing in a wheel barrel. Yes, a wheel barrel. I’m now a believer. Get help when you need it, save money where you can. Good video. Thanks.
I did this in the autumn of 2020. Hired a company in the GTA (Maple) 1833mix4u, who delivered to Mississauga. This was brutal work, the sweating you see at 9:19 is nothing compared to what I looked like at the end of it. I'd do it again with what I've learned, definitely mix it wet, I did not and it hardened on me as I was bull floating it, I didn't get to put an edge on it. Secondly, if you can get more people to help, do it, I had my wife and my father, it wasn't enough (we had to wheelbarrow concrete from the front to the back and then spread it out). And lastly more spikes in the ground around the corners, I had two in each corner, and the corners still blew out on me. The cost of the concrete if anyone is interested, was $495 (CAD including tax) for 1.25 m3 at 32 MPa. I lost a wheelbarrow in the process (broke due to the weight) so budget for a good one or a rental.
in 1992 me and 18 friends poured 45 yards of cement for my shop floor. We mixed it by hand in one day. Almost 30 years later I only have 2 small cracks. In 2019 We had professionals pour the floor for our new house and already have more than 2 cracks. I was a little afraid that your forms might move, but it looks like you got a fine job.
Hi Jeff! I love it that I support your channel because you offer such fantastic information and shortcuts. I love your energy because it gets me excited about my own projects! Thank you for all of the time and expense that you and your team put into making these videos for us! As for the concrete...I don't understand the purpose of the wire mesh if you're not going to put it close to the center of the concrete. It serves no purpose resting on the bottom of the concrete. I know the concrete stays are tall, but maybe a few stones underneath the mesh would hold it up off the ground a little. You are the first person I have ever known that mentions spraying something on the forms to help with releasing it from the hardened concrete! I love that! THANKS!!!
Form release oil is typically used for when you would be taking off the forms before it fully hardens like when you would do stairs. usually it isnt necessary on this job unless you are planning on finishing the edges for a smooth looking finish. Sorry im a year late to this reply.
Thanks for doing the comparison between partial DIY vs hiring it out. Keep it up, great to see and helps to inform the decisions we have to make as property owners.
Thanks for the video, I am gearing up for a handful of DIY projects, and have spent hours watching your videos. A couple recommendations on concrete from a structural engineer. When placing the wire mesh, you want it up about 2" clear to the top of the slab (about 1.5" could be OK since the slab will be interior once the job is complete. As laid out, it won't do much for your slab since the concrete didn't have much opportunity to get fully encased in concrete, and since any forces that would tend to crack the top of the slab will not be resisted by the wire. If you use spacers at the bottom to lift it up, it will help quite a bit with cracking from curing and from settlement over time. Also, with the size of your slab, cutting one or more control joints may have been helpful. As the slab cures, it tends to shrink, which causes it to essentially pull away from itself. If you cut control joints, the concrete can crack there, and stay largely intact between the joints, without those joints, those cracks will occur fairly randomly. Covering the slab with wet burlap or curing compound also helps control cracks since it keeps the top of the slab from drying out quickly.
Awesome video! I'm planning to construct a storage shed this spring. I have been debating whether or not to mix the concrete myself. Now I know what I'm going to do.
Mesh IN your concrete is a must. Concrete will always crack, the mesh ensures the slab stays together and keeps it stable while frost pushes on it. Make sure you hook under it with a tooth of your rake as you put so the concrete flows under it and suspends the mesh in the concrete. If your going to lay it on the ground and pour over the top of it then save your money and skip the mesh as it's not really doing anything when installed improperly. I love your content and been watching for 8 months despite doing it all day long at work. That is the only complaint I have had to date. Keep the videos coming.
Hi Jeff, I really enjoy your videos as I tend to be more of a DIY guy myself. I'm newly in Idaho from California. I appreciate your costs breakdowns too so I get an idea of what I'm in for budget wise. You've even inspired me to attack drywall fixes and not be terrified of them :)
Hope you lifted that weld wire remesh with a rake Jeff. You can show where and how to make control cuts for contraction with that trusty dewalt circular saw you love so much! Great how too videos. Can't wait to see you do the driveway next!
I drive a concrete truck and learned a lot about concrete. For example, after mixing at the plant, you have 3 hours to get it off the truck before it becomes unworkable, (the concrete rapidly begins to lose its strength and is unworkable) The same applies to short loads trucks but the 3 hours begin at mixing time. Also, Some companies place concrete without forms and rely on heavy equipment to set limits, finish all in one step. Most finishers use lightweight concrete drag and 2x4x14 or less aluminum skreet tools to obtain a near level finish followed by a finisher with a long finishing drag tool.
Love ur show I EVEN share with my architect son...... LOL he like you Also keep up what u r doing .. n costing it is sooooo valuable in decision making....
Thanks once again Jeff. You made my decision easy. I will be pouring my own slab. It is twice the size of what you just did and when you mentioned that a contractor would charge $3500!! for you and x2 for me... welp its a no brainer.
this video was great. Im a new contractor, only been at it for about a year and 8 months. Videos like this help me understand what it might take on certain projects and now im not discouraged in taking on jobs like this and i have a general understanding what it will take to bring in a cement company. Thank-you for the content, i always appreciate it.
Thanks Jeff I watch many of your videos and have received much help from them. I have built a deck, completely renovated my bathroom and am currently building a 12x16 shed. I am DIY'er without a lot of the fancy tools. I have found if you are creative and use what you have you will get a decent job in the end. I saved $10 000 doing my deck by myself and over $5 000 on the bathroom so thanks again.
SO GLAD I came across this video. Making plans for a 12x20’ shed build and seriously considering a slab foundation now. Live in Ottawa myself… just emailed Mirad for a quote!
Loved the video, great content and I learned a lot. One critique is that the video was a bit long... you probably could've gotten your whole message across in 10 mins. Either way, I learned a lot and appreciate the content!
Would have been nice to see the prep work on how to prepare the pad prior to concrete(how deep to dig, how much gravel, gravel size, how to compact, etc.) Thanks.
I like those kinds of cement trucks. There’s no rush because of the concert is getting hard from pre-mixing before they get to the site. Also you don’t have leftovers or being short.
That truck is damn impressive and I'm glad I watched this video. Changed my mind on renting a mixer for my next project. Premix is the way to go. Great info. 👍
Bro, you're a pro and enjoy your videos. I do have a suggestion when doing this though. I personally staple gun and tackle the plastic to the form board to be sure i get a tight pull and ensure the plastic covers the area completely without an uncover spot.
I'm thinking of making my side entrance driveway longer, thanks for the video. Shouldn't the metal wiring have been pulled up into the middle of the concrete?
Middle would be better, but I bet this would be fine. The rebar is just there to help with tension pressures. The concrete can handle compressive force with ease, but when it is pulled apart it needs something to hold it together. The rebar at the bottom isn't optimal, but truthfully it's better than nothing and likely good enough. My patio was poured at least 30 years ago, and while it's looking a bit rough, it's fine without rebar.
I remember that shortness of breath when doing this job. With the truck there it all happens fast, and if you don't have lots of help it is easy to be overwhelmed.
I have never seen a truck that mixes on the jobsite. Wondering if he uses chemicals to adjust the slump instead of water. Also, if he sets the psi strength as well. Very interesting. Your point of having help is very important even if it is someone who can hand you things. Great video.
That was a real feel good show. You guys are the real deal, good people. Thank you, Max for sharing what you and your wife were able to do with your home. And thank you, Jeff for the channel and everything you share with the little guys, DIYers like me.
A couple of 2x4s screwed together a little wider than the form makes it easy to get the concrete within the range of level. Some scrap plywood a 2x4 and some fasteners you can make a cheap bull float.
Not bad for someone who doesn't work with concrete very often. I love those mix trucks also. I worked for Rembco running a mix truck and grout plant through college in 02-06. Back then we had to bust the concrete bags on the side of the mix truck. Talk about getting in shape try busting 500 bags average daily. We had a guy that set our company record busting 880+ bags in one day on one job of those portland type two 94 lbs bags.
Hi Jeff. Great job guys. That concrete truck was awsome. Great idea. Can't wait to see the shed being built. Take care and stay say. All the best. 🇬🇧👍👌
Agreed as this info is impossible to casually find. I'm in Ottawa Jeff and will reach out to these guys for pouring a slab for a cottage in the outaouais area. Would they drive 1-2 hours for a job out there?
Thank you Jeff, once again your video has come in a very timely manner as I’m going to put up a shed before the end of this summer here in Australia 🇦🇺 Thank you so very much for the very clear presentation. I look forward to seeing a notification from your channel.
