Because your estimating and measuring instructions are here, and because these instructions will give you a better understanding of the cost considerations that went into the price you see. Your concrete job may require a footing, or "toe down" a well compacted sub grade, and a particular finish for a specific application. These instructions on measuring, layout and calculations will ultimately save you time.
The time you invest reading the instructions will be far less than the time you will spend setting appointments and waiting on your estimates to arrive. The prices here do not simply calculate square footage and multiply by a price, your perimeter has a different price than the center section, different shapes require more cuts in form setting than others and each location is different. So read on or just start clicking estimators, either way have fun and let us know if we can assist you.
Laying Out Your Shape
- You will need a tape measure, a note pad and writing instrument, some garden hose, string or rope and a creative spirit. Then again, you may want consult with a landscape architect.
- The first and most obvious of your decisions is to decide where exactly you will place your patio, walkway, driveway etc. As always, it would be wise to make a master plan of your entire area before you begin any project. This will lead you to size and shape.
- Size and shape are easily determined using a water hose - for larger jobs you may need a few lengths of hose, but it is worth the trouble - or some rope works nicely. Spread the hose out into the shape you find suits your purposes and design the best.
Measuring For Estimate
-
To Estimate a Square or Rectangle:
This is the easiest estimate to
retrieve. Measure the length and width . Then
request the Rectangle
Estimator, enter the length and width and click
"Estimate".
- To Estimate a Circle:
"pie are square", remember?
Tell you what, we'll make it simple for you! Just measure the diameter (image here!), then request the Circle Estimator;
, enter the diameter and click "Estimate".
For those interested here is the formula:
The radius is half of the diameter. Multiply the radius by itself (squared), then multiply by (image here!) (which is 3.1416). -
To Estimate a Hexagon: We will keep it simple, just measure the diameter, then request the Hexagon Estimator, enter the diameter and click "Estimate".
For those interested here is the formula:
The diameter, squared, multiplied by .866.
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To Estimate an Octagon: We will keep it simple, just measure the diameter, then request the Octagon Estimator, enter the diameter and click "Estimate".
For those interested here is the formula:
The diameter, squared, multiplied by .828.
-
To Estimate a Polygon:
This one is hard to keep simple, but we will
try! Take some string or rope and break your shape into rectangles.
Like with an rectangle, (take notes as you go) measure
the length and width of each rectangle. Multiply the length times the
width of each, one at a time.; Add the totals together to
calculate the
entire square footage. Measure the entire perimeter of the polygon.
Request the Polygon
Estimator, enter the square feet total in the "Square Foot" box
and the perimeter in the "Border" box and click "Estimate
Concrete Patio Price Evaluations
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Bargain Price:
This is about the "threshold" price a concrete patio can be placed for with the proper base, tamping, reinforcement etc. In order to qualify for this price there would be a minimal of clean-up, on larger projects a tractor will need to access an 30 foot perimeter of the patio location, plus ingress egress to and from the street or alley. All material and stone must be dropped by the concrete delivery driver straight into the actual patio forms and all along that same location. No vegetation or landscape considerations and all excavated dirt will be left on site. No existing patios or decks will need to be demolished. -
Circumstance A:
This price will reflect one or possibly two of the above not being available. For instance some of the concrete will have to be wheel barrowed, or the excavated dirt needs to be removed. Still no large quantities of vegetation to interfere with the construction or excavation and heavy equipment has access.
-
Circumstance B:
This price will include a couple more variables, perhaps all the materials must be hand carried or pumped from a street, gate or distance of 40 feet or more. Or perhaps there is a lot of vegetation on one side of the patio but the other is open to a concrete truck and the excavated dirt must be hauled away. -
Circumstance C:
This price would reflect the typical home that has a well landscaped yard, but some space is negotiated for the excavated dirt, perhaps a plant or two will be sacrificed in favor of price (taken out by the home owner). And you expect your yard to be disturbed but more or less how it was before construction commenced minus a few concessions. -
Premier:
To help you save time and get the best job for your money we have devised a method of explanation for your contractor!
It is real simple: "I want my project to look as though you dropped it with a helicopter!
we have used this term for years to help my customers understand what to and not to expect. This is the easiest way for you to get what you want or build down from here by negotiating to help prepare your property for the contractor, which will save precious labor hours and you save money!
Premier is the way to get your project to look as though it were placed by a helicopter, all plants, landscape, walks, drives etc intact unharmed or damaged except those in the described by you to be removed.