02-20-2014, 08:33 PM
That's a big task Julie and its one that's not forgiving. I would imagine within todays building environment you can find some experienced concrete people with tools who are willing to do side jobs for a reasonable cost.
Read about it and then run an add on Craigslist for a couple knowledgeable people that have the necessary tools on hand.
If you're doing a slab any larger than say 4'X8' hire some pros willing to do it on the side. A minimum order is 3 yards in Pahoa and I believe 4 yards in Hilo regardless of what you use. That's a pad in Hilo with 4 yards at 4" thick being 336sf. (less footing) 4x8 is only 32sf...
Pros will make it look easy but I can assure it's not if you've no prior hands on experience. Not even the form work is simple around here, not in this lava. You'll need to work fast and hard during a pour, there's no time for breaks or questions, pedicures, etc and the concrete drivers time is more money beyond X time limit. If you're doing some basic footings (cant imagine you'll need much concrete though), give her a go. If it's a foundation, don't even try it without a pro involved.
Also the mixers chute is only so long and if every place needed to pour is not readily accessible by truck and its short chute, you'll need a pumper truck too and those hoses are damn heavy and the pumper truck is additional money. Most the time a boom pump is used and those are real expensive. You're very likely in for a whole lot of surprises going it alone. The logistics alone are a big factor in concrete.
Read about it and then run an add on Craigslist for a couple knowledgeable people that have the necessary tools on hand.
If you're doing a slab any larger than say 4'X8' hire some pros willing to do it on the side. A minimum order is 3 yards in Pahoa and I believe 4 yards in Hilo regardless of what you use. That's a pad in Hilo with 4 yards at 4" thick being 336sf. (less footing) 4x8 is only 32sf...
Pros will make it look easy but I can assure it's not if you've no prior hands on experience. Not even the form work is simple around here, not in this lava. You'll need to work fast and hard during a pour, there's no time for breaks or questions, pedicures, etc and the concrete drivers time is more money beyond X time limit. If you're doing some basic footings (cant imagine you'll need much concrete though), give her a go. If it's a foundation, don't even try it without a pro involved.
Also the mixers chute is only so long and if every place needed to pour is not readily accessible by truck and its short chute, you'll need a pumper truck too and those hoses are damn heavy and the pumper truck is additional money. Most the time a boom pump is used and those are real expensive. You're very likely in for a whole lot of surprises going it alone. The logistics alone are a big factor in concrete.