Concrete Basics for Small Projects

What small projects suit do-it-yourself concrete?

Fence and gate post footings, a pad for a water tank or feed bin, a stoop, and a small slab for a tool shed or generator are all realistic for one or two people. Large slabs, structural footings under a house or barn, and anything load-bearing need design by a qualified person and often a permit.

Start by writing down what the concrete will carry and how it will drain. A pad for a rain barrel and a pad under a parked tractor are different jobs, even if they look alike on paper.

How do I prepare the ground?

Most failures begin below the concrete. Remove topsoil and roots, then build a firm, compacted base of crushed stone or similar material, with the surface sloped slightly so water runs away rather than under the pad. Soft or wet spots in the subgrade will settle and crack the slab.

Check for utilities before digging and keep the pad clear of septic components and well heads. If frost is a concern where you live, ask local officials what footing depth or base design is expected for the project.

• Stake and string the outline, then square it by measuring the diagonals.
• Build sturdy forms and brace them so they cannot bow under the weight.
• Compact the base in thin layers.

Should I mix by hand, rent a mixer or order delivery?

Bagged mix and a wheelbarrow work for a footing or two. A rented mixer saves your back on a mid-sized pad. Ready-mix delivery makes sense when the job is large enough that you cannot place and finish it before the material starts to stiffen, and it arrives on a clock, so everything must be ready beforehand.

Follow the manufacturer directions on the bag for the amount of water. Extra water makes concrete easier to pour and weaker once it cures. Ask the supplier or your extension office what mix type suits outdoor, freeze-thaw exposure in your area.

What does reinforcement do, and do I need it?

Concrete is strong when squeezed and weak when stretched. Steel mesh or bar placed in the middle of the slab helps hold cracks tight, and control joints guide where cracking will occur. Whether a given project needs reinforcement depends on its size, load and soil.

For anything beyond a simple walkway or small pad, get a design from a qualified professional or follow the plan the permit office accepts. Do not guess at reinforcement for a footing that carries a structure.

How do I place, finish and cure it?

Work in this order: place, level off with a straight board, let surface water rise and disappear, then float and finish. Finishing while bleed water is still on the surface weakens the top layer. Finishing too late makes the surface hard to close.

Curing matters as much as mixing. Keep the slab damp and protected from fast drying, wind, hot sun and freezing for the period the product directions give. Pouring in very hot or near-freezing weather calls for extra planning, or a different day.

What safety points are easy to overlook?

Wet concrete is caustic. Wear waterproof gloves, long sleeves, eye protection and boots, and rinse skin promptly if it is splashed. Do not kneel in wet material for long. Dry mix creates fine dust, so wear a suitable dust mask and work upwind.

Lifting is the other hazard. Bags are heavy and wheelbarrows tip. Plan the route, keep it clear, and get a helper for the pour. Wash tools and equipment before the material hardens, and never rinse waste into a stream or drain.

What should I plan for before the truck, bags or helpers arrive?

Check the weather forecast for the cure period, not just the pour day. Rain can pit a fresh surface, strong sun and wind dry it too fast, and a freeze can ruin a pad overnight. Have plastic sheeting, burlap or other cover on hand, and know where you will get water for damp curing.

Think about the finished surface. A broom finish gives grip where boots and wet hooves will walk, while a smooth surface can be slick when wet. Plan edges, slopes and drains while the forms are still open, because nothing is cheap to change after the concrete sets. If anything about the plan worries you, ask an experienced neighbor or a mason to look at it before you pour.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.