The decision has been made, the contract has been signed, and the start date for your new concrete project is officially on the calendar. This is an exciting moment. The prospect of a brand new, beautifully finished driveway, patio, or walkway is a major upgrade for any home, promising years of functionality and enhanced curb appeal. While you have hired a team of professionals to handle the heavy lifting, demolition, and installation, it is important to remember that a successful construction project is a partnership between the homeowner and the contractor.
Your active participation in the preparation phase is a crucial and often overlooked part of the process. By taking a few key steps to prepare your property and your family for the arrival of the construction crew, you can help to ensure that the entire project runs more smoothly, safely, and efficiently. A well-prepared worksite allows the team to be more productive, minimizes the risk of accidental damage to your property, and contributes to a less stressful experience for everyone involved.
Finalizing the Details
In the weeks and days leading up to the start of your project, the focus should be on finalizing every last detail of the plan. The more decisions that are made and confirmed before the work begins, the fewer delays and potential cost increases you will encounter later on. Your signed contract is the master document for the project, and you should review it one last time to ensure it accurately reflects the exact scope of work, the specific materials to be used, and the agreed-upon project timeline.
If your project involves any decorative elements, now is the final opportunity to lock in your choices. This includes confirming the specific color you have chosen for an integral color or color hardener, the exact stamp pattern and texture for a stamped concrete surface, and the type of finish you desire, whether it is a traditional broom finish, a smooth trowel finish, or an exposed aggregate look. Making changes to these selections after materials have been ordered can lead to project delays and additional costs.
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A professional contractor like RMK Services will handle the administrative side of the project, which includes obtaining all the necessary permits from your local Pittsburgh or Allegheny County building authorities. Your primary responsibility in this area is to ensure that if you live in a community with a Homeowners Association, you have submitted the project plans to your HOA board and have received their formal, written approval for the work to begin.
Preparing the Project Area
One of the most important tasks a homeowner must complete before the crew arrives is to completely clear the project area of all personal items. The construction site needs to be a blank slate, free of any and all obstructions.
For a new driveway installation, this means moving all of your family’s vehicles, as well as any trailers, basketball hoops, garbage cans, or planters, to a safe location away from the work zone. For a new patio, it is essential to remove all of your outdoor furniture, your grill, any potted plants, and all children’s toys. The entire area where the new concrete will be poured, as well as a significant buffer zone around it, must be completely clear.
In addition to the main project area, it is crucial to provide a wide and unobstructed access path for the crew and their equipment. A concrete project involves large, heavy machinery, including a skid steer for excavation and, of course, a very large and heavy concrete mixer truck. The crew will need a clear and safe path from the street to the project area to move this equipment and materials. You should ensure this access path is free of any parked cars, boats, or other obstacles that could impede their progress.
Protecting Your Home and Property
A professional construction crew will always take precautions to protect your home and property, but there are several steps a homeowner can take to provide an extra layer of protection and peace of mind. Demolition and construction can be a dusty and messy process, and it is wise to prepare for it.
Before the crew arrives, you should close and lock all of the windows and doors on your home that are near the work area. This will help to prevent construction dust from making its way inside your house. You should also be aware that the process of breaking up old concrete with a jackhammer and the operation of heavy equipment can create significant vibrations. It is a good idea to take a few minutes to walk through your home and temporarily take down any particularly fragile or valuable items, such as pictures, mirrors, or collectibles, that are hanging on the walls adjacent to the primary work area to prevent them from vibrating loose and falling.
Take a look at your landscaping as well. While our crews will be as careful as possible, if you have a particularly delicate rose bush or a valuable landscape feature that is very close to the access path or the project area, you may want to consider either covering it with a protective tarp or temporarily moving it if possible. It is also important to clearly mark the location of any known, shallow utility lines that a contractor might not be aware of, such as sprinkler system heads, invisible dog fences, or landscape lighting wires.
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Communication with Your Family and Neighbors
A construction project is a temporary disruption to the normal, quiet rhythm of your home and your neighborhood. A little bit of proactive communication can go a long way in making the process less stressful for your family and maintaining good relationships with your neighbors.
Before the project begins, have a conversation with your family, especially with any children. Explain what will be happening and establish clear and firm “no-go” zones for their safety. Let them know that there will be periods of significant noise and a lot of activity on the property. It is also important to have a plan for your pets. The noise and the presence of unfamiliar people can be very stressful for animals. For their own safety and the safety of the crew, it is often best to keep them securely indoors or, if they are particularly anxious, to arrange for them to stay at another location on the heaviest work days, such as the day of demolition or the day of the concrete pour.
It is also a simple and appreciated courtesy to give your immediate neighbors a friendly heads-up about your upcoming project. Let them know the approximate start and end dates and inform them that there will be construction noise and a large concrete truck arriving on a specific day. This simple act of communication can prevent a lot of potential frustration and helps to ensure a smooth and positive experience for everyone on the block.
During the Project: What to Expect
Once all the preparations are complete, the work itself can begin. A typical concrete project follows a logical sequence of events. The process usually starts with the demolition and removal of any old concrete or surface materials. This is followed by the excavation and professional grading of the sub-base, which is a critical step for ensuring proper drainage. The crew will then set the wooden or metal forms that will create the exact shape and perimeter of your new slab.
The day of the concrete pour is the main event. A large mixer truck will arrive, and the crew will work quickly and skillfully to pour, level, and finish the wet concrete. Once this is complete, the final step of the construction phase is to apply any desired texture, such as a broom finish, and to cut the necessary control joints into the surface.
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It is important for homeowners to be prepared for the disruption that this process entails. The demolition phase, in particular, can be very loud. The arrival and operation of the concrete mixer truck is also a major event that can temporarily block access to your street or driveway. A professional crew will work to minimize these disruptions as much as possible, but a certain level of noise and activity is an unavoidable part of the process.
A successful and low-stress construction project is the result of a strong partnership and clear communication between the homeowner and the contractor. By taking the time to finalize all your design decisions, thoroughly prepare your property, and communicate with your family and neighbors, you are doing your part to set the project up for success. This preparation allows a professional crew to work more safely and efficiently, which helps to keep the project on schedule and contributes to a higher-quality final product.
The process of transforming your property with new concrete is an exciting one, and we believe it should be a positive experience from start to finish. If you are a homeowner in the Pittsburgh area and you are ready to begin planning your next concrete project, we encourage you to contact the experts at RMK Services. We will be your trusted partner through every step of the process, from the initial design and planning to the final pour and finishing touches.