Tractor barn foundation estimate

jedens · Aug 4, 2004

I just got an estimate for concrete work on a tractor barn that I'm building. I'm curious if this looks like it is in the ball park to those of you that have done this before. Here are the specifics:

-Excavation work is already done so it is not included in the bid. Footer is over excavated by about a foot on each side of the footer. Bottom of trench is with 2" of level all around.
- Outside dimensions of footer: 41' x 27'4"
- Footer width 20"
- Footer depth 8"
- Outside dimensions of stem wall 40'2" x 26'6"
- Stem wall thickness 10"
- Stem wall height 4'
- Using #5 rebar. One pair of horizontal rebar runs throughout footer. Three pairs of horizontal rebar runs throughout stem wall. Veritical rebar in stem wall every eight feet.
- 4" concrete slab using premix fibre mesh.
Concrete contractor is supplying all materials including expansion joint material, 6 mil plastic under slab, footing forms, stem wall forms, whalers, rebar, etc.
Used $85/yard for concrete price.

Bid was $11,000 for all materials and labor. About how much labor would this involve? He said he figured 2 to 2.5 weeks.
Does this look like it is in the ball park, a really good deal, or I'm being played for a sucker?
Also, I'm in southern Colorado if that makes any difference.
thanks for any help

EddieWalker · Aug 4, 2004

I can't tell you about prices in Colorado, but here in Texas a good price was around $2.50 to $2.75 per square foot. Rebar has gone up 50% lately and concrete is running around $70 a yard. So prices have gone over $3 a foot, which is kind of high. Your paying $10 a foot!

Looks like your doing a basic slab around 1,100 square feet. It should take a day to set forms, rebar and dig footings. And one day to pour.

I just did a spec home using 44 yards of concrete and about 2,500 square feet with 12 inch footings around the exterior. This is a brick house and needs the extra material to support the brick.

It took two very long, full days, and cost $7,000.

Maybe they don't have Mexican labor, but for half the size, it sure sounds pricey.

Have you talked to any of the concrete guys at some job sites?

Good Luck,
Eddie

Junkman · Aug 5, 2004

I can't comment on the costs, because costs vary by location. I don't see this as a very big project and I know that if it were in the Northeast, where building costs are high, your quote still is higher than it would be here. One thing that wasn't put into the bid, but doesn't cost very much to install is a key way in the footing. This is a 2"X4" piece of lumber laid horizontally in the footing. After the concrete dries, it is removed and the walls are poured. The key way keeps the walls form moving on the footing. A very important factor in building with concrete. I would get some other prices before committing. Also, call the concrete company and see how much a 3000 # fiber mix costs. There are no trade secrets any longer. Just remember, that it costs the contractor less than what it costs you as an individual for concrete.

jedens · Aug 5, 2004

It sure sounded high to me, but since I've never worked with a concrete contractor before I thought I better find out. He told me that the materials will be over $5k. Could he be charging me the full cost of his forms?

GerardC · Aug 5, 2004

Keep shopping. G

Soundguy · Aug 5, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( is running around $70 a yard. So prices have gone over $3 a foot, which is kind of high. Your paying $10 a foot!
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Not bad. Mud here in florida is running about 68+tax a yard.. with a 5 yard minimum.. and then also.. and sme max amount per contractor per day.. due to the 'concrete and steel' shortages.

Handwork for flat is about 3.75 sf here as well.

Steel is rough.. takes a while too. We are having to order about 2 months ahead to get steel pipe on our jobs.

Soundguy

Henro · Aug 5, 2004

The only way to know for sure is to get several bids for the job from contractors in your area and see how they compare.

Around here it is not unusual to find wide differences in price for the same work...someone wants the job...someone will do it if you pay through the nose...another may quote real high because he really doesn't want to do the job, but will if you pay him an arm and a leg...

It pays to get several bids... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

samission · Aug 5, 2004

Had a quote just a while ago for a 20' x 30' basement addition to be added to the side of our existing party house which is a 25' x 40' slab house. That was with 10' high poured concrete walls, footings, concrete slab floor, backfill, and final grade. Included installation of drain system around foundation. Concrete, labor, everything for the basement foundation part of the addition was $10,000.00 /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

I think I would be looking around, we had other quotes as high as 2-1/2 times this number /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

Steve

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 5, 2004

I got a bid of $3/square foot for putting a concrete floor in an existing pole building that includes everything. I'll have 6" of concrete, rebar, site prep (it really needs it), stone base, drains, drain tile and short approaches to the doors. I didn't think that was bad at all.

bandit67 · Aug 5, 2004

Jedens,

I'm waiting on a couple of bids for a 24'x32' garage/barn - should get them back this week. I'll let you know where they're at, but I think that what you are having done should be in the range of $6-7k. $85/yd for concrete seems a bit high, too, but I'm not up on current prices. Could be you're taking a beating cause of your location. Where exactly is LaVeta?