When developing a piece of property, concrete work for foundation and flatwork will be part of the development process. It is important to note that foundation work and flatwork are not interchangeable terms. Concrete foundations refer to the structural support that is installed beneath the surface, providing the base for construction. Concrete flatwork refers to elements like sidewalks, walkways and parking lots that are not placed for structural support and are therefore placed above ground.
To save time and money, it is highly recommended that property owners coordinate the installation of both. The idea is to organize development so that a single pavement contractor can handle all of your concrete work seamlessly.
When Should Property Owners Schedule Concrete Foundation Work with Concrete Flatwork?
Site development is a logistically complex process that multiple contractors may be involved with, unless you choose a contractor who can handle both site development and concrete work. If the work is not planned out in advance, it may end up costing more money than it should due to delays or additional mobilizations. Here is the recommended, most efficient approach:
- Schedule your concrete work after the grading and utility work is done – During the grading and utility trenches phases, your property will be crisscrossed by heavy equipment until the dirt work is done. That includes extractors, bulldozers, grading machines and haulers. Your site development team will also carve out temporary roads for access and generally make a bit of a mess until everything is ready for the next step.
Until the site is graded and compacted, it will not be stable enough to take concrete foundations or flatwork. For this reason, it is standard operating procedure for any pavement work to begin after grading and base stabilization.
- Schedule concrete flatwork as soon as the concrete foundation is poured – This is where timing is key. You will want a single contractor to lay down the concrete foundation and any flatwork elements, and you will want them to do it without having to mobilize equipment to the site more than once. Every mobilization adds to the project cost and takes additional time.
Let your pavement contractor know your intentions upfront and schedule the concrete flatwork once the foundations are formed and poured. Ideally, as soon as the foundation’s formwork is done, the pavement crew can immediately pivot to forming any sidewalks, parking areas or other flatwork elements.
- Schedule your concrete work after the grading and utility work is done – During the grading and utility trenches phases, your property will be crisscrossed by heavy equipment until the dirt work is done. That includes extractors, bulldozers, grading machines and haulers. Your site development team will also carve out temporary roads for access and generally make a bit of a mess until everything is ready for the next step.
If you follow these guidelines, you can avoid common mistakes that add unnecessary project costs to property owners’ budgets.
Can a Concrete Contractor Package Foundation and Flatwork Costs Together?
Yes, they can, and it is very common for reputable pavement contractors to group all pavement services together as long as the scope of the work is defined in advance. It is more cost effective for concrete teams to package their services this way, as it means fewer mobilizations and a better idea of what teams will be needed, and where they will be needed, throughout the project.
What Types of Concrete Flatwork Can a Pavement Contractor Install?
The primary distinction between concrete foundations and concrete flatwork is what the pavement is intended to do. Concrete foundations bear structural weight, whereas concrete flatwork only needs to bear weight from foot or vehicle traffic.
Some of the most common examples of concrete flatwork include:
- Concrete sidewalks and walkways
- Concrete driveways
- Concrete patios
- Concrete seating areas (for restaurants, hotels, hospitals, airports and other businesses)
These types of concrete flatwork should be trusted to an experienced pavement contractor that can tie it all together for the best results.
Ask Your Pavement Contractor How They Can Optimize Your Concrete Projects
Concrete work is typically installed in phases. The foundations go down first, then the flatwork can be installed. However, it is often possible to group these services together to save property owners money and time through logistical efficiency.
Property owners should work with a reputable concrete paving contractor that can handle both foundations and flatwork. This ensures the job will be handled professionally, providing years of reliability.
