Building Patio 18*25 Husband Wants to lay concrete then find someone to build the patio. Is that safe?

Currently have a Wooded Patio w/ Big Pecan Tree. The Wooded Patio will be removed along w/ the Tree and the root will be killed. My husband has found a company that will come out and remove the wooded patio, cut the tree, kill the root, and haul it off for a reasonable price. He says will give the guy the go ahead & then find someone to build the patio. My concern is if its a good idea to lay the concrete when you do not have a builder for the patio. Does not it all have to considered to assure the patio is done correctly along with the concrete. Or do I just say yes Babe go ahead it will all be fine? Please anone w/ construction experience give me some advice.
Currently we have is Wooded Patio on Dirt. The tree is fifteen ft way from the house and the way we want the patio built the tree will be in the way. We’re building the patio to where later we can convert to a room. So the roof will come off the roof out. The concrete we’re wanting is 18×24 about four inches which will be the slab.

6 Comments on “Building Patio 18*25 Husband Wants to lay concrete then find someone to build the patio. Is that safe?

  1. Killing the root is not enough. You must remove all organic matter below the slab or as it decomposes the slab will settle. If the stone and the setting method have not been predetermined then it will be difficult to established the proper elevation for the slab. Also if you pour the slab and the stone cracks from settlement who is responsible. Hire a professional.

  2. ummm

    let’s commune with nature on our patio as soon as we kill this tree ?

    can’t you build the patio integrating or surrounding the tree ?

    I think I would get my builder involved for at least a quick look & see
    before pouring cement, as it’s awfully hard to put it back in the bag.

    The cement is the easy part, in a way…..might want to check building codes in your area and see what they say, and check with the county/city assessor to see what the cement will add to your house in taxes.

  3. Kinda depends on what you mean by …lay the concrete when you do not have a builder for the patio.. ‘Laying’ concrete is akin to flatwork or a slab…which you wouldn’t need for a wooded patio <---I'm assuming that means you want a deck constructed of wood. Decks are typically supported by small concrete pads or piers that must be dug down to frostline (minimum is 3' deep and common for most of the US). A building inspector/official would want to see that the concrete support has been engineered by a professional prior to begining your project. Way more info would be helpful. And, if hubby's not going to do the building on top of the concrete, I'd say BAD IDEA without a builder's input first. Edit: Ok, now I know what you're doing. You're pouring a concrete slab for a future enclosed room (walls & roof). What you'll need is a either a foundation wall beneath the perimeter of the slab or a 'thickened edge slab'. <--both will be steel reinforced and either will support the loads for the future work. You will need an engineer to design that for you. Once you have the engineer's drawing you can proceed to do the concrete work with city/township approval if required. Warning: Whatever you do...DO NOT try to build walls and a roof on top of a simple 4 concrete slab. Ever. Trust me when I tell you that if you do...sometime soon you'll have to tear the whole thing down and start over.

  4. Because of the footings and support…you need to coordinate with the deck builder. Also remember to allow for expansion, cracked and unlevel concrete under a deck is not a fun thing. Consider planning the deck first to make sure you grade the concrete correctly for runoff water.. back washing to the foundation is not something you want. I have a lot of respect for getting a cement pour just right it takes skill and knowledge of the zone.

  5. I would let a paving company deal with the whole thing.
    Using three seperate people for the job will just be a big hassle.
    It will take longer and probably end up costing more.

  6. Let the builder install the concrete.
    Building the patio and pouring of the concrete.. A permit is needed. Let the builder get that permit.
    If you pour the concrete and the building inspector doesn’t see it before it is poured. He won’t approve it and make you remove them.

    The builder will know the materials that he will be using and need the concrete in areas that need the support for the load of the materials his using.

    The builder has to install the concrete and patio according to the building codes in your area.

    I’m a builder thirty years.