Pouring your own concrete can be intimidating, but it can also save you thousands of dollars. We’re usually ones to jump headlong into any DIY project, but faced with pouring our own garage slab we wavered. Could we do it? Would we have to rip out the whole thing and start over? Concrete isn’t terribly forgiving and you’re on a tight timeline to get the job done. In the end, the savings won out and we poured our own pad. We learned a lot along the way and now that it’s done we can say we’re glad we went the DIY route! If you’re thinking of pouring your own concrete here are some things to keep in mind.

First – you’ll do more work before the truck shows up than after. We spent a solid week prepping for the concrete. Between digging out the foundation and working with Class 5 rock we had our work cut out for us! The crushed rock serves as a base for the concrete and it needs to be solid. We shoveled rock, tamped it, checked to see if it was level, shoveled, tamped, checked, shoveled, tamped….well, you get the idea. It’s incredibly time consuming but so worth the effort once the concrete shows up! When you’re planning out the project be sure to plan for the prep work. You’ll need plenty of time to make sure you’re ready for the concrete.

And then there’s the forms. You’ll spend an unfortunate amount of money on wood that’s going to get covered in concrete. The forms need to be staked so firmly that they won’t budge even when you kick them. Measure measure measure. You need the height of the forms to be perfectly even so that you can use them as a guide to even out your concrete. This is another time consuming step but one that will definitely pay off in the end.

When it comes to the concrete itself you’ll need to make some decisions while on the phone, so some research can help you make the best choice for your situation. Will you order the finished product from a local company? Mix your own? Pick up a standing mixer from a local company? Be aware that ordering small amounts of concrete can lead to a “small load” charge if you have it delivered by a truck. You’ll need to decide what strength of concrete you want and if you need it heated (depending on the air temp when you pour). You’ll also need to decide exactly how much to order. We definitely recommend over-ordering. Having some extra in the truck is a good thing – running out? A really really bad thing. Your forms might be slightly deeper in some places than you realized. Giving yourself a little extra wiggle room might just help you sleep the night before the truck shows up.

Most companies give you a set amount of time to get the concrete out of the truck and then start charging by the minute if you go over your allotted time. Make sure you have enough manpower to get the truck unloaded before your time runs out! In our experience, the truck drivers are incredibly helpful and skilled. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and tap into their expertise.

Also, plan ahead and place your order a couple of weeks in advance. If you’re pouring in the off season (Fall or Spring) the concrete companies may not be open on the weekend. That can quickly derail your Saturday morning plans! Make sure you know what their delivery hours are so you’re ready to go when the truck shows up.

Having the right tools for the job can save you a lot of time. We ended up renting a power screed, which was worth every penny! Definitely add power screed, bull float, fresno float and trowel to your vocabulary long before the truck rolls up at your house. Decide which float is right for you and what you might need to rent. Since most of us don’t pour concrete on a regular basis, renting can be a very cost efficient way to procure the tools for the job. Be sure to stock up on rubber boots too. If you’re pouring a large slab you’ll be up to your ankles in concrete before you know it.

And then? The concrete starts flowing! Once it starts there’s no going back. Be ready to move and move fast. The concrete is unbelievably heavy and you’ll probably end up using a wheel barrow to get it from the end of the shoot to the far corners of your forms. You’ll get your workout in by the time the project is done.

I had thought (hoped?) we’d be just about done by the time the truck left. Unfortunately that was just the beginning. We spent large chunks of the entire day on finish work. Cleaning up edges, smoothing out ridges and, well, watching concrete cure.

Now that it’s said and done we can easily say we’re glad we did it ourselves. We saved around $4000 dollars and added some great skills to our arsenal. But it’s a lot of work and takes a big chunk of time and lots of planning. Doing research ahead of time and having the right tools for the job will make it easier. And seeing that huge beautiful slab once it’s done is a rewarding feeling!

Nick and Cindy Germann are young DIY-ers living in St. Paul, Minnesota with their two English Springer Spaniels and one feisty rabbit. They blog at The Flipping Couple, where they talk a lot about messy projects and old houses while posting pictures of their four-legged pets. They’re turning their 86-year-old Craftsman into a beautiful home one overdue project and smashed finger at a time, all while dreaming of finished walls and clean floors.