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Price of concrete is not the only consideration. Quality has to come into the equation too. If you are making a slab on grade and are tailgating the load from the truck then you can go with a mix from ConAgg and save some money. If you are pumping or guniting or you intend to make a stucture watertight then you better bite the bullet and call Glovers. They charge a lot more, especially if you don't have at least 6 yards and then get stuck paying the most outrageous delivery charges ever. If I order 3 yards delivered to Volcano it will cost around $400 per yard. The delivery charge is over $400 alone. How many dump truck drivers out there would charge you $400 to deliver a load of material? We did a job at the summit of Mauna Kea a couple of years ago and the delivery charge was almost the same as for Volcano Village. I called them up and had to ask what was up with that. I let them know that I wasn't complaining about the Mauna Kea price but I was curious if anyone in the office realized that the summit of the island was a considerably longer drive than Volcano Village.
Be that as it may, I use Glovers exclusively at the moment because the quality of the material is unquestionably superior. I could list several other complaints about ConAgg (Yamada) but quality is the major difference. I'm anxious to see what develops with Sanfords. My son, who owns Island Wide Concrete Pumping, has already worked with them and pumped their mixes. He says all went well and the owner is a bright guy who is committed to doing things right. The other possibility is Kohala Coast Concrete. They will drive 3 hours (a little risky to go that long) to bring you nice material for cheap. You need to be able to offload and place the material quickly but they are probably the best bargain right now.
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Aloha Peter,
Thanks for a more complete look at the picture. I know liquid stone os what you do for a living.
Would you be willing to take the time and expound on what the difference really is between Yamada and Glover.
I mean rock is rock, gravel is gravel, and sand is sand right?
I know after that is where we start getting into the cement, ash, etc, but other that the "PSI" or "sacks per yard", what makes one better or worse.
What makes a yard of Glovers 3000 p.s.i. mix better than a yard of Yamada's 3000 p.s.i. mix?
Mahalo
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LastTango,
Rock is not always rock... well it's not all the same type of rock anyhow. Glover uses hard, dense blue rock. Yamada has had legal issues with their rights to quarry where they are and have at times not been able to use their own material. A few years back they had to buy rock from Glover and I understand that recently they have brought in a'a to crush for aggregate. Unfortunately this info is all second hand as they have never been very direct about the situation. The concrete from Yamada will often have a very gritty feel to it and will frequently jam up a pump. They have often had problems keeping their material dry and consequently end up with aggregate that is lacking in fines. They also use different air entrainers and plasticizers to their mixes. Glover tells me that Yamada's additives are all bad. You can take that last part with a grain of salt considering that it comes from the competition. Consistency of material is really important for our work. Glover always brings a good load. Yamada is a crapshoot.
The 3000 psi designation tells you that the material is at least that strong which is easy to achieve with crushed lava and 4 1/2 bags of cement per yard. Pumpability, workability and density are something else.
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Pete -
WOW! That rock fact I did not know although I knew all the pump guys seem to prefer Glover.
-Cat
Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
http://bluewaterprojects.blogspot.com/
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"We help make building your dream home a reality"
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I have consistently had good concrete and pumping from Glover and reached a point where I don't call Yamada any more.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Some clients order their own and demand the lowest pricing so what Robert does is only pour 3500 PSI.
Yamada was better service, pricing and timeliness on deliveries up to about a year ago or more.
Hot mud doesnt matter who its from - it'll be a bitch to work with.
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Just an update, Linda @ Sanford's did quote me $150/yd 3000 PSI rock mix to my pal's house in HPP. She said their goal is to give the Puna community another option and at this time wont venture really out of Puna. She said that may change but for now while they are learning!
They will run below customary minimum yardage while they build business. So this is the time to do walkways, driveway aprons, or the little things that you only need a few yards for. She said the contractors are skipping the retardent (less cost per yard) in it as the mud isnt hot since it isnt coming as far as from Railroad in Hilo. A 10 yd pour you'll save about $220 with them. I told her with the small amount you save, although it isnt a ton, you can add the extra few feet for walkways or an larger landing etc.
No charges on overtime charges - like Yamada's. She said they are trying to be very customer service oriented as they start out.
We'll keep you posted!
Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
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808 965-9261
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Had Sanfords pour a slab for me over the weekend. Worked great, in fact father and son ran the 2 trucks. $2650 including tax for 17 yards = $155.88 in the forms.
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Robert said when he used Sanford's last Friday - it was some of tne best mud he had ordered. He also said they were
on time!
His take is unless something changes drastically - he is going to use Sanford's as much as possible.
Since Yamada/Con-Ag didnt want to listen, then time to speak with wallet.
Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
http://bluewaterprojects.blogspot.com/
808 965-9261
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"... She said they are trying to be very customer service oriented as they start out. ..."
Uhhhhh......OK..... [
]
If it was my business, I would strive to ALWAYS be custmer service oriented.
Puna: Our roosters crow first
