The Other Harry wrote:

I've been hallucinating about installing a concrete pad of
about 1000 sq feet out the back. This would involve moving a
little bit of earth, but not a whole lot -- it's almost level,
and it's currently planted in grass. It would be intended to
accommodate a storage building and a patio, and it should be
able to be be driven on with an average size vehicle (say 4000
#). Clay soil, if that matters.

Would anyone care to take a wild guess at how much it would
cost me to buy this done?

Would anyone care to take a wild guess at how much it would
cost me and how difficult it would be for me to do it muself?
(Bearing in mind that I habe never done anything like this.)

Thanks!

If you don't have a clue how to do this then I wouldn't. Only experience
finishers know when its time to float the cream to the top and how to level
it so you don't get low spots. If you don't know the timing of concrete and
how it starts to setup you could end up with a big mess. For someone that
has some knowledge of concrete then its not a big deal. In your case if
it's just a pad that will support cars and there is no need to make the
finish real clean and level with no duck ponds then at least find some guys
that have done it or watch it being done from start to finish and take
notes. It's hard work moving tons of concrete around even a shovel full so
be ready to sweat and sweat hard! Don't forget your expansion joints if you
don't want it to crack.

Tools you will need: screed, bull float (to bring the creamy cement to the
top and the aggregate to the bottom) with extension poles, edgers,
expansion joint tool or cut them in later with a concrete saw, fresno for
fine finish, broom for a no skid finish. Fine finish is better for garage
surface to remove dripping oil stains. And plenty of shovels and good
backs!

All the other posts covered the rest of what you need to know.

Good Luck,
Rich
--
"You can lead them to LINUX
but you can't make them THINK"