How much would you pay for this foundation?

Question

I have bid the foundation out but the prices are all over the place, at this point I have no idea what to price this out at. I have been rehabbing for 10+ years, but NC is a different monster. I then thought about GC'ing it myself, hiring out the excavation and then forms/concrete as most were NOT willing to do it separately here in Chicago. Finally some excavators from out of town said they would do it if needed but waiting for there bids on it.

Size: 16ft x 40ft

Wayne Brooks · Answer

Tough to estimate from the information, but.....

About 28 cy's of concrete.  Forming/ placing even a short wall is of course more expensive than a slab.  Also, this would be two pours, involving short loads, since it shows a key way between the footer and wall, unless one pour would be allowed.  Without excavation, assuming your concrete costs there are around $100/cy for full truckloads, here I'm guessing concrete guys would likely price that out around $300/cy.

John Patterson · Answer

For small slabs we use a $10/SF budget... Just a rule of thumb though. Your slab is only 640 SF which may be too small for a sub to want to take on (especially if it's busy in your area).

I also don't see any vapor barrier in your detail. I would also put down a vapor barrier (i.e. Black plastic). Your grade beam is typical. Do have internal grade beams anywhere?

Also what is your exterior finish       material?  I don't see a brick ledge? Think waterproofing.

Granted my experience is mainly for Texas but should be applicable.

Adrian G. · Answer

@Rob Harris Well it was never about trying to be cheap, trust me I would never do that but a lot of the bids I got were all over the place. I have always done my own GC'ing but never for a full blown foundation, I would definitely be comfortable with it but as you stated I dont want to pay for it later. Then again I dont want to over pay for it which is the vibe Im getting when I see a few of these estimates.

btw I just got off the phone with an excavator who said he will give me a bid without cement, also stated that he doesnt do concrete work...only excavation etc.  Ill keep everyone posted.

Anybody else in Chicago or the midwest, feel free to chime on on pricing.

Rob Harris · Answer

You talking just concrete placement or are you talking excavation, compaction, set up and pour in place...?  It is honestly too hard to tell given I don't know what original site conditions look like, how much dirt has to be moved, are they having to import water to assist in compaction, how much excavated fill will have to be disposed of off site, concrete costs per cy including all fees to deliver, rebar costs, pumping or no pumping, -- looks like you are going to have 2 mobilizations,,,, one for the footing and the second to pour the slab..... there are a lot of variables here.....

My gut is telling me that you should get turn key prices and see if it is within your budget.  If not, I think if you try and piece this together you are going to wind up in a bad spot.... That's just my 2 cents worth......  Sometimes we have to pay to make sure it's right all the way around and have an insured contractor to fall back on if anything is not right... if you touch it the first thing anyone on the job will do is point the finger at you and attack your competence to do whatever you do....  Foundations are not something we ever want to try and cut corners or "go cheap" on as it will bite you seriously hard in the future......

There are times when I have wanted to save money and wished I would have just paid what it would take to execute the job right up front,,,, causes much less heart and headache in the future....

Pay now, or later...... That's our choices in these types of circumstances...

Adrian G. · Answer

@Rob Harris Thats cool, what would you price it out in CA? I use to live in Irvine and have an idea of labor costs there.

Rob Harris · Answer

If you were in CA or TX I could help you but I have no clue as to pricing of materials and labor in Chicago!  -- Will be curious to see if you get some responses and for pricing in your area.....

:-)