How long do you think this construction will take?

[Anonymous]

We are having our front porch stoop replaced. It’s similar to this, only brick and concrete.



They are replacing the porch, steps, and the two slabs of sidewalk.

It’s a very popular and reputable masonry company doing the work. I keep asking how many days they expect it to take, and they say “depends on weather”. I says sure, but how many days of work do you expect? “Depends on weather.” I think he just doesn’t want to be held to a number, and I get that, but I’m just curious!

They are starting on a Thursday. I am assuming the first day they will break apart the existing one and maybe frame? Then pour on Friday? Or should I anticipate this running into the following Monday?

[Anonymous]

1 week to 4 months.

If you have any sort of deadline, like Thanksgiving, I would tell them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1 week to 4 months.

If you have any sort of deadline, like Thanksgiving, I would tell them.

LOL right? I have no doubt they won’t take months or weeks, I’m just wondering DAYS. This guy stays very busy.

[Anonymous]

If they do a good job, they will dig a much bigger hole than you’re probably anticipating (how deep depends on soil conditions) and spend a day or so prepping and leveling the underlayment (layers of gravel, gravel mixed with clay and sand). Check out some on line videos about how to properly do site prep to pour concrete and lay stone to get an idea of what to expect.

Once the site is prepped, if they’re pouring concrete, IME, the concrete will need to cure before they start laying stone. How long that takes depends on the weather (hotter is faster), but a rule of thumb is that concrete dries to the touch in 48 hours, is about 75% cured in a week, and doesn’t fully cure until 28 days. They’re unlikely to wait 28 days, but probably more than 48 hours (especially if it’s cool and wet).

Bottom line, you don’t want this to happen too fast — if they come in and rip out the existing structure one day and lay down the new stone the next, I wouldn’t count on the new steps lasting very long. I’d guess two weeks to a month.

[Anonymous]

My 3 day fireplace remodel is going on week 2. Really it depends on them and any issues that might come up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1 week to 4 months.

If you have any sort of deadline, like Thanksgiving, I would tell them.

LOL right? I have no doubt they won’t take months or weeks, I’m just wondering DAYS. This guy stays very busy.

Hilarious and true

[Anonymous]

The amount of time needed to do the work and the amount of time it will take to complete your project are not one in the same.

It depends on how many other projects are going on at the same time, weather, availability of materials, etc.

Assuming it's just your project, a couple/few weeks. But could be longer. Best to get a sense of whether the crew will be there full-time (which may be impossible to find out).