I have about 675 sq/ft of area under a breeze way I need to cover.

Some years ago, I tried to lay down some decomposed granite but failed.

I can very easily scrape off the granite.. and get it ready to pour concrete.

Is it worth it to order about 10 yards (15 ft x 40 ft x 4 inches) of mixed concrete and try to stamp it myself or is the work backbreaking? Concrete contractors seem pretty pricey in my area. There's no cheap labor here.

Anyone do this DIY?

TIA.

The hardest part is probably going to be getting a batch plant to deliver one truck to you, at least in Texas. I've had friends who have done it, but we work in the industry and flashing a construction business card opens up doors with vendors & suppliers who want to help you out, hoping you'll call on them for work one day.

I think lowes or Home Depot have DIY stamped concrete kits FWIW. 10 yards would be more than I'd want to mix, place & finish by myself. At least in one day. Maybe over the course of a few weekends.

You should be able to get 10 yrds delivered. I had 4 yrds custom mixed and delivered in February (in Dallas). What area are you in?

I'm in northern California...

Why?

Hire it done. There is much more of an art to it than you will think.

Call up a local Whitecap and ask them for a recommendation.

In addition to the concrete, you will need stamps, release and tamper.

You will be money ahead to hire it done. With concrete, you have a finite working time. If you don't get it done in time, you are in a VERY bad situation.

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Why?

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Not so bad... more conservative than most Texas. Hard to believe....there's a movement to secede from CA.. it's called the "State of Jefferson."




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Hire it done. There is much more of an art to it than you will think.

Call up a local Whitecap and ask them for a recommendation.

In addition to the concrete, you will need stamps, release and tamper.

You will be money ahead to hire it done. With concrete, you have a finite working time. If you don't get it done in time, you are in a VERY bad situation.

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I think you're right.

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Some years ago, I tried to lay down some decomposed granite but failed.

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Why failed? I ask because I'm about to try.

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Some years ago, I tried to lay down some decomposed granite but failed.

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Why failed? I ask because I'm about to try.

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Technisoil, the stablizer chemical spray quite doesn't work like the way it's advertised. It works ok as a hardening agent but the granite eventually loosens. And gets messy. It doesn't harden like concrete.

It was a $2,000 waste of money. Don't do it.

I work for a large ready mix company that has operations in N. California. What town do you live in? We most likely have a plant nearby or we have connections if you need concrete delivered.

On the other hand, moving 10 yards is a lot! And you only have so much time as noted by another poster, plus if you take too long to unload, we tend to charge you for that. So you need lots of friends. As well the stamping is an art, but man I get the desire for DIY....even though I work for a concrete company, I'd probably mix it by renting a portable mixer and picking my own rock and sand, cement, plus color and probably add some fiber. Then I could work at my pace. After that, it's probably easier to hire it done.

Oh, and if you want to stabilize soil, just buy a bag of cement and mix that into whatever you have. That will stabilize and harden up really well.

I'm in Redding. And seeing I failed miserably with DG.. I think I need to hire someone. Mrs. will call around and get a quote. I have never ever worked with concrete before in my life. I may consider doing a small sidewalk or a 60 sq ft patio.. But I think it's out of my league.

You're doing the right thing. I just had approx 600sqft of 4" stamped concrete installed for a covered patio addition at my place. It definitely takes a lot to get it just right. From stamping and coloring to detailing and staining and sealing. A lot can go wrong if you don't have a solid plan when it come time to pour.

Well, I'm gonna try to mix and pour 60 sq ft patoo with quikcrete. ... about 40 bags, $210 for Harbor freight 3.5 cu ft mixer. .. and some supplies.

DG needs and edge to be successful. I've got it all over my property without stabilizers. Only issue with using it in walkways that lead to your home is getting rocks stuck in your shoe's soles and tracked inside. Especially a concern with wood floors.

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I'm in Redding. And seeing I failed miserably with DG.. I think I need to hire someone. Mrs. will call around and get a quote. I have never ever worked with concrete before in my life. I may consider doing a small sidewalk or a 60 sq ft patio.. But I think it's out of my league.

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I might be able to get you a referral. My parents are in Anderson and my dad was in the concrete biz for 35 years before he retired.

Dood, that's awesome!

Your to far north for us, but that is a great part of N. Ca. I worked a summer in Chester after my freshman year and loved it up there.

If you have never worked with concrete, I'd start on something simple. Stamped / decorative concrete is highly skilled work that I'm nervous about and I've been around a lot of concrete....

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Your to far north for us, but that is a great part of N. Ca. I worked a summer in Chester after my freshman year and loved it up there.

If you have never worked with concrete, I'd start on something simple. Stamped / decorative concrete is highly skilled work that I'm nervous about and I've been around a lot of concrete....

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Ahhh.... Lake Almanor and gateway to southern entrance to Lassen.

It's definitely not what people think of CA. Trapped below Trinity Alps, Shasta Cascades, and Lassen with crystal clear sacramento River, I wish I can take it and plunk it down in Texas. It may get up to 110 here in July but where my house sits, it cools down to 50 and 60's at night.

I just need some concrete...

Talk to Ward or Muse. They might not do such a small job and if not, they should be able to point you in the right direction

AggieDruggist - This is totally unrelated, but I was wondering if you know of reputable moving companies in the area that could handle moving my parents to Washington State.

Hey Ryan, unfortunately I don't know of any moving companies. In my 3 cross country moves, I always used national companies, mayflower...bekins etc. Sorry Dude. ..

No worries. We're calling the big guys, too.

I'll add that I can probably score you some concrete finishing tools, stakes, etc. My dad has a bunch we're divesting of over the next 3 months. Same goes with power tools.

Ryan, when are you going to be in Northstate?

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Ryan, when are you going to be in Northstate?

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Late June.