Concrete Slab Estimating

This is relatively easy to figure out. Measure the square feet of the space you want to Pave with concrete. Next determine how thick you want the concrete to be. That should be at least 4 inches. If you have a fairly large truck that is heavier than a typical truck you might want to make it 6 inches thick.but 4 inches is probably good if you do your prep work well. What you are trying to find is the number of cubic yards of concrete you need. A cubic yard is 3 ft X 3 ft X 3 ft. or 27 cubic feet If you pour the concrete 4 inches thick, 1 cubic yard will cover 81 square feet of surface. Lets say that you make your parking area 20 ft long by 8 ft wide, you will have an 160 sq ft parking area. or 2 cubic yards of concrete. Now you have to dig a hole next to your driveway 2 0 feet 3 inches long and 8 feet 3 inches wide. The extra inches are for making a frame out of 2 X to create a form to pour the concrete into. If you can use one side of your existing driveway as of the form you can reduce the size of the frame by 1 1/2 inches on the side. You want to use the 2 x because once you have dug out that area you want to fill 1 1/2 inches of that space with 2B stone. You get that at a good garden center with your truck. Make sure you get all of the loose soil out of the form before you put in the stone. You should pack down any loose soil that remains with something heavy so that the soil is as hard as you can get it. Put in the stone and spread it evenly leaving 4 inches for the concrete. Call your local concrete plants and ask them what they charge for 2 yards of concrete delivered to your house. There will probably be an extra charge because it is a small load. When the concrete gets to your house it will be poured directly out of the transit mixer into your form. Pack it in place with a rake and have a straight 2 x 4 10 foot long to level the concrete by working it back and over the edges of your form. Treat the truck driver very nicely and he will tell you what to do. If he helps you give him $20.00 when he leaves. Cost wise the concrete will probably cost you about $85.00 a yard plus about $ 65.00 for the small load charge. hold me to those numbers as I have no idea as to where you live. Plan far enough ahead so you can ask to have the concrete delivered early on a Saturday morning. Now go to your local store and go through their book section and they should have a book telling you how to finish the concrete. Have fun. Have the wife wear something a little bit sexy and I am sure the driver will help you. But still give him the $20.00.