Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jan 15, 2012 9:49 pm We are planning to concrete 30m² out the back, and prepared surface for about 10cm thickness. We got quotes from $60 to $80/m² (material and labour, including coloured stencil), and being at the back they will have to transport the concrete mix using a wheelbarrow (which they are aware of). But somehow I have doubt this is going to work because I don't think they will pay the truck to wait around at the curbside, which means they will have to move 3m³ of concrete mix very quickly, that's probably 40 wheelbarrows, by 2, max 3 men (there's not enough money to pay for more labour). Then again, 30m² is not a large area, and surely it can be done right? They didn't mention getting a concrete pump or anything like that. Re: Concreting out the back using wheelbarrow 2Jan 16, 2012 4:32 am You only start paying for the truck after 20 minutes unloading, or they may get two 1.5m deliveries which doesn''t cost too much more. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Concreting out the back using wheelbarrow 3Jan 16, 2012 8:46 am Thanks for suggesting, I didn't think of 2 x 1.5m³ before. First time dealing with pre-mixed concrete so this is all new to me. I just called a reputable supplier to get an idea, 3m³ of N25 is about $750 with 30 minutes waiting time, $1 per extra minute and I think that's quite reasonable! Extra trip is about $200, so will be better off to pay for the waiting time, it's only $120 for extra 2 hours. Re: Concreting out the back using wheelbarrow 4Jan 16, 2012 10:47 am One thing to think about is that concrete should be placed within around 90mins (or less) of water being added at the concrete plant. This is because the concrete is then starting to set. If the cement has already been in the truck for say 30mins before he gets to you that means you need to have it unloaded within an hour. The driver won't be happy waiting too long because if it starts to go off it can get stuck to the inside of the drum. which means big problems for him. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Concreting out the back using wheelbarrow 5Jan 16, 2012 10:50 pm Thanks for the tips! I have not considering how long the driver is willing to wait, I thought it will be ok as long as the mixer is turning. It seems the assumption is incorrect. We are still not 100% sure between concrete and pavers. I've read a lot of good things about pavers but they also cost more, however for a small area the difference is not significant. My main concern is that pavers wouldn't be as form fitting as concrete, also we've only prepare 10cm thickness for the concrete, that's probably too shallow for road base plus sand and then the pavers. Will have to call around to get some quotes. Re: Concreting out the back using wheelbarrow 6Jan 17, 2012 4:35 pm If you are going to want a good long term finish with concrete you might need to go deeper than 100mm. The following link talks about what I think needs to be under the concrete. http://www.anewhouse.com.au/?p=778 The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. It will be neat but you won't have much freeboard. At least they are not weep holes. Are you in a high intensity rainfall region? The regulatory slope is only required… 3 8195 We've had decent weather for last 7 weeks and now the drvieway has been cut out we had an evening of 50mm of rain including all the water from half the street, ground is… 0 4455 Just get as close as you can without hitting the posts. Once you are close to the edge of the path the chance of cracking is minimised. 7 9125 |