Alright, so I needed to do some work around the house, figured I’d share how it went. I’m no expert, but maybe this will help someone else out there.
First off, I needed to figure out how much of this stuff I actually needed. I remembered seeing these online calculators, where you punch in the size of your project, and it spits out roughly how much concrete you should get. I used one of these yardage calculators that I found online, and it gave me a ballpark figure. This is a lifesaver when you just need a rough number.
Next, I started looking at prices. I read somewhere that the cost of materials and labor is around $5.50 to $9.00 per square foot, but these prices change depending on so many factors. So, I started checking out different options for cement slabs. There are some free online guides that break down the fair prices in your area, which is really helpful. You just input your project size, and it gives you a general idea of the costs involved.
I also stumbled upon some articles about calculating the cost of 1 cubic meter of concrete. I didn’t need that much detail, but it was interesting to see all the costs involved, like the cost of materials and other prep stuff. It’s way more than just buying a bag of cement!
After doing a bit of research, I decided to go with ready-mix concrete because it seemed easier for a small project like mine. I found that on average, it costs around $98-99 per cubic yard. And for a 6-inch thick concrete slab, you’re looking at about $5.00-5.50 per square foot. I measured out my area and did some quick math to see if it was within my budget.
Once I had a rough idea of the cost, I went ahead and ordered the concrete. I made sure to give them my own specifications to get exactly what I needed.
When the day came to pour the concrete, I got all my tools ready. I started by prepping the area, making sure it was level and ready to go. I used some boards to create a form, this is basically a mold for the concrete, and made sure it was the right size and shape.
Then, I mixed the concrete according to the instructions. This part was a bit tricky because you don’t want it too watery or too thick. I got some help from a friend, and we poured the concrete into the form, making sure to spread it out evenly.
After it was all poured, I used a screed, which is just a long, straight board, to level the surface. It was a bit of arm work, but I managed to get it pretty smooth. Then, I used a float to smooth out any small bumps and give it a nice finish.
Once it started to set, I used an edger to round off the edges, so they wouldn’t be sharp. And finally, I used a broom to add some texture to the surface, so it wouldn’t be slippery when wet.
After all that, I just had to wait for it to cure. This took a few days, but I made sure to keep it damp by spraying it with water regularly.
Here’s a quick rundown of what I did:
- Figured out how much concrete I needed using an online calculator.
- Checked out prices and decided on ready-mix concrete.
- Ordered the concrete with my own specifications.
- Prepped the area and built a form.
- Mixed and poured the concrete with some help.
- Leveled and smoothed the surface using a screed and float.
- Rounded the edges with an edger and added texture with a broom.
- Let it cure for a few days, keeping it damp.
And that’s it! It turned out pretty good for a first-timer. I am really happy I did it. Hope this helps someone out there who’s thinking about tackling a similar project. Just do your research, get the right tools, and don’t be afraid to ask for help!
