| Installing a pre-cast concrete stairway to your | | | | this is not feasible, you may be able to use this |
| home's basement is actually quite an easy project | | | | dirt somewhere else on your property or you |
| for the advanced do-it-yourselfer or anyone that | | | | may be able to give it to one of your neighbors. |
| can coordinate a couple of sub contractors. Doing | | | | Either way, fill dirt is a very needed and sought |
| so will add a water tight weather proof egress to | | | | after commodity. Hence the old saying: Phil |
| your basement that, in many cases, is necessary | | | | Dirt...the most wanted man in America. |
| to comply with local building codes during a | | | | Once the hole for your bulkhead has been |
| remodel. Either way, this newly added entrance | | | | successfully dug out and the portion of the |
| will add much more function to your home and | | | | foundation that needs to be cut is exposed you |
| your basement. | | | | need to clearly layout your cut lines with a |
| First of all it is probably a good idea to explain | | | | measuring tape, a bright yellow lumber crayon and |
| what pre-cast concrete is. Pre-cast concrete is | | | | a 4' level as instructed on the spec sheet. Now it |
| simply concrete that has been mixed, formed and | | | | is time to call a professional concrete cutter and |
| vibrated in a very controlled "plant" type | | | | find out what their pricing and availability is (cost is |
| environment and then delivered or trucked to its | | | | usually $425+/- to cut and drop the piece). They |
| final destination and installed. Despite the fact that | | | | will charge you approximately an additional $100 |
| some pre-cast concrete products are much | | | | to jack hammer the piece into manageable pieces |
| thinner than conventional "poured in place" | | | | and up to $500 to remove the piece from site. In |
| applications does not mean that the pre-cast | | | | order to avoid the break up an disposal charges, |
| products are any less quality and to the contrary | | | | simply have your excavation contractor dig a |
| they are usually much more durable. | | | | "grave" for the concrete at the bottom of your |
| In order to orchestrate this project you are going | | | | excavation. This way you can just bury it and |
| to need a hole dug, a doorway opening cut into | | | | save yourself some time, money and hassles. |
| your foundation and the actual pre-cast concrete | | | | Explain to the concrete cutter that you need a |
| bulkhead delivered and installed. Your first step is | | | | standard doorway for a bulkhead. Ask them how |
| to locate a pre-cast concrete product dealer. A | | | | much they charge and when they can schedule |
| pre-cast concrete dealer can be located in your | | | | your job. Ask them for a morning appointment. |
| local phonebook, or better yet, your online yellow | | | | You are going to have to coordinate the concrete |
| pages. Once you have located a reputable dealer | | | | cutting and the bulkhead installation so that as |
| you need to visit the pre-cast manufacturers | | | | soon as the concrete cutter is done the bulkhead |
| showroom, which usually consists of a giant field | | | | is immediately installed. So you can now schedule |
| full of stairs, bulkheads and culverts. You need to | | | | your bulkhead delivery and installation for about 12 |
| choose the size and style that is right for your | | | | noon. Most pre-cast concrete product |
| project. A standard pre-cast bulkhead will generally | | | | manufacturers will do the installation for you at no |
| cost less than $1000 and this includes the steel | | | | additional cost or it is included in the price. |
| bulkhead cover and installation. | | | | I recommend calling each of your sub-contractors |
| Once you have chosen the right product be sure | | | | a day prior to their arrival just to verify that |
| to ask for a worksheet or specification sheet that | | | | there are no scheduling conflicts. This will minimize |
| comes with your particular product. This "spec | | | | the amount of problems that will occur and give |
| sheet" will tell you how much digging needs to be | | | | you plenty of time to reschedule each |
| done and what size doorway your concrete | | | | subcontractor if one of them runs into a problem. |
| cutter needs to cut in the foundation. The digging | | | | As soon as your bulkhead and metal bulkhead |
| can be done using several methods. You can dig it | | | | cover have been successfully installed you will |
| by hand with a pick and shovel (not | | | | need to "back fill" or replace the dirt that was |
| recommended), you can rent a small excavator | | | | removed from the hole. This can be done by |
| (cost about $300) from a tool rental outfit and | | | | hand with a shovel by an experienced "do it |
| use the machine to dig it out or you can call a | | | | yourselfer" or you can make arrangements to |
| professional excavation contractor and have them | | | | have your excavation contractor return once the |
| dig it out for you (cost between $300 and $500). | | | | installation is complete and do the backfilling for |
| I highly recommend hiring a professional | | | | you. It is always a good idea to allow this dirt to |
| excavator for this part of the project. This | | | | settle before adding your topsoil or planting any |
| process will take a professional less than a few | | | | grass or flowers. The ground around the bulkhead |
| hours and you can shop around for the best price. | | | | should be settled pretty good after several heavy |
| Please Note: Be sure to notify your areas "DIG | | | | rain showers. |
| SAFE" program and have them come out and | | | | Well, good luck and if you choose to tackle this |
| locate any hidden underground utilities before you | | | | project congratulations. For more information on |
| start your excavation. Also, keep in mind that | | | | this subject just do a search for "pre-cast," |
| your excavator will have to remove and dispose | | | | "concrete cutting" or "bulkhead." As always please |
| of about 50% of the dirt that he/she removes | | | | feel free to check out our website below. |
| from the hole because the bulkhead to be installed | | | | (c) Copyright 2007 New Hampshire Concrete |
| will take up about that much volume of space. If | | | | Cutting, Inc. |