Concrete DIY or Hire?

I'm not just pushing hiring a professional to get some money in my pocket, there are others reasons too. So first, let's consider some factors that will play into it all.

Tools/Materials: Some equipment you can rent, such as a concrete mixer (or just hire concrete to be delivered), masonry saw, paint sprayers (if you want a certain color), shovels (or an excavator, depending on your land). Others, you're gonna have to beg, borrow or buy (I don't recommend stealing them - too much planning involved). Some additional tools needed are shovels, wheelbarrows, levelers (the laser ones are nice), and trowels to name a few. The materials needed are bags of concrete mix plus stones and sand to add in, lumber and string to set up the perimeter, dust mask, edgers, gloves, and more.

Size of the project: Obviously. How big of an area do you need to level? How much concrete is needed per square foot for that area? Is the area sufficient for your needs versus your wants? Are you going to remove all the grass, rocks, weeds and dirt yourself (this is a non-negotiable step)?

Time: Do you have the time to do this? Typically this is NOT a weekend job to complete (think weeks to months, depending on the size of your project, the prevailing weather, curing time, and free time available).

Cost: Honestly, you can save up to 50% by pouring concrete yourself, no joke. Which means you can get more fancy, or branch out more. Of course, that means more is at stake, more work, more planning, more supplies, more stress...

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Ph# 602-900-9744

Labor: consider the physical labor  and energy portion of this. Are you up for that? Working with concrete requires some heavy lifting of bags and sand and stone, lots of bending over, shoveling your wet cement into frames, time outside in the heat (concrete needs warmth to cure properly), building the framework, cutting wood, pounding stakes, using trowels, yada yada yada. Not for the faint at heart.

Finish or designs: What design or finish do you want for the concrete? A shiny epoxy coating? Big bucks. Stamping? Very labor intensive, which is much higher in cost. Maybe you just want a staining or painting over? Still, more dollars shelled out. Perhaps you want a particular design to match another part of the house; maybe you've seen a herringbone design at the neighbor's place. These additional touches will keep adding up.

Also, there's the clean up. Unless you want all the excess supplies and left over pieces laying around, cluttering up the other portion of your lawn, you'll need to make a run to the dump. Of course, there's a fee to drop it all off.

Permits are another factor. If you are adding any electrical outlets to your patio, plumbing for your pool, or even any new addition, then you need to check local ordinances. Some places require permits for ANY new construction on a home.

So, now you have a good portion of the facts. Time to decide if this for you? If so, go for it! Be sure to show your creation off. That's part of the joy of completion. However, if it's not for you, we are just a phone call away..

Ph# 602-900-9744