Common questions about foundations, slabs, and comparing concrete bids
Our standard is 3000 PSI, which is appropriate for most residential and light commercial slab applications. For projects with heavier loads, higher durability requirements, or engineer-specified mixes, we upgrade to 3500, 4000, or higher as needed. Every bid specifies the PSI explicitly. Want to understand what PSI actually means? Read our PSI explainer.
Every slab is different. Price depends on size, thickness, reinforcement, footing design, base prep, finish, site access, and whether soil replacement is needed. A vague "turnkey" number from another contractor is usually hiding at least one of those variables. Send us your project details and we'll send a line-by-line bid you can actually compare against others.
All concrete cracks. The real question is whether cracks are controlled, tight, and cosmetic — or whether they become structural problems. Proper thickness, reinforcement placement, base prep, jointing, and curing all matter. We design and pour to control where and how cracks happen, not to pretend they won't. Read more: Rebar vs Wire Mesh.
On slabs where moisture control matters — enclosed spaces, finished floors, conditioned buildings — yes, and we spell out the product and thickness (typically 10 mil minimum, ASTM E1745). On outdoor slabs or equipment pads where it's not relevant, we don't include it. We don't slap "plastic included" on every bid regardless of whether it matters. Read more: Why Vapor Barrier Matters.
If the existing ground isn't suitable, we address it before the pour — not hide it under the slab. That may mean removing unsuitable material, bringing in compactable fill, placing it in lifts, or in some cases recommending lime stabilization for expansive clay. Our bids include notes on how unsuitable soil is handled and who covers the cost if bad conditions are found during excavation. Read more: Why Subgrade Matters.
Compare scope, not just price. Line up each bid and check: slab thickness, PSI, reinforcement type and spacing, footing dimensions, vapor barrier spec, base prep, finish, control joints, exclusions. If one bid doesn't state those things, that's not a cheaper bid — that's a less specific bid. We built a How to Compare Concrete Bids guide to walk you through it.
We can assist with the permitting process and provide documentation for your jurisdiction. For engineered foundations (structural loads, large commercial, certain residential), we work with licensed structural engineers. Requirements vary by county and city — we'll guide you through what's needed for your specific location.
Hard-trowel (smooth, interior shop floors), broom (exterior, slip-resistant), steel-trowel burnished, stamped, scored, and acid-stained. The right finish depends on use. We'll discuss finish during the quote process so it's specified clearly on paper, not left to "contractor discretion."
A typical residential slab or shop foundation takes 1–3 weeks from mobilization to cure. Larger commercial pours, truck scale foundations, and engineered projects take longer. Current scheduling is typically 4–8 weeks out for new starts. We give realistic timelines up front, not rushed promises.
Central Texas is our primary service area — McLennan, Bosque, Hill, Falls, and Coryell counties. For larger projects, commercial slabs, and specialty work like truck scale foundations, we travel across Texas and into Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Contact us to discuss your location.
No. We're a full concrete contractor. We pour foundations for our own turnkey metal building projects (through our Advantage Metal Buildings division), AND we pour standalone concrete for homeowners, GCs, ranchers, commercial clients, and other contractors. Concrete is our core business.
