Home Owner DIY Concrete Steps

[@HometownAcres]

***Link to chiseled stone edge form and Solar Powered Stair Lights www.amazon.com/shop/hometownacres

[@uberuser1999]

The steps turned out great, Adam. Having owned a concrete company for many years, I would have charged about $3,500 to $4,000 for the job. You asked what you might have done differently. I would like to have seen you add a few “Soldier Piers” to the steps because the hill is fairly steep and concrete (just like any other type of retaining wall) has a tendency to shift downhill with gravity. You often see retaining walls that are tilted and concrete steps can do the same. Soldier piers are a type of cantilever support, using singular bored piles installed at optimal distances from one another, which add lateral support with additional anchors or bracing, to provide an effective retaining wall solution. That said, it will likely take years before any shifting takes place so you are good for a number of years. Ultimately, you can’t beat gravity forever. Nice job, sir!

[@noyopacific]

Adam's calculations and assessment of Sac-Crete vs. Redi-Mix concrete are familiar to me as I've done them myself. While I prefer getting Redi-Mix when I can I've mixed several pallets of Sac-Crete over the years. Bags are often the more practical choice. My most recent concrete project was pier footings for a deck. It took 42 - 60# bags. I had to haul the bags across a lake to our island fishing cabin in the boat. Next I put them in a cart behind a garden tractor to haul them about 240 feet while climbing up 40' in elevation to get the concrete to the site. I'm 67 years old and while not in good physical shape I'm stubborn and persistent. Thanks for the video Adam !

[@ExpressionsLTD]

As the maker the Rough Rock Form Liner used here (Expressions-LTD), looks like very well done steps! We would suggest that some of the problem you might have had with the release color taking hold on the front face of the steps could be from how much release actually was able to stay in place on the rubber liner. It sometimes helps to spray a little liquid release (or even Pam cooking spray) on the rubber liner first, and then brush/broadcast a powder release on it. If you find you need more color though later, it's better to stain the concrete before applying sealer. Yes, you can pigment most sealers... but most sealers will wear down from use/elements/time, and then your color goes too. Concrete stains, when applied right, are permanently in the top cement layer, and easier to just apply clear sealer every few years if you want to keep it looking new. One other thought, if you were to do more of these and didn't want to spend the time/money on a metal reinforcement grid (rebar)- consider using the AR Fiberglass Scrim (fabric), which you can cut with scissors and just lay in as you fill the forms.

[@AdamsMom921]

Thank you for your suggestions. I found your chipped stone molds and then the brainstorming for these stairs began. We are going to do acid stain next, neutralize, clean and then apply your solvent based sealer. I’m sure that there will be videos for that too!

[@krisbouchard6146]

Looks very nice ! Being in the concrete industry those would be roughly $3000 to $3500 so you made out great as well as having pride in what was done. The colorant may have taken better if the surface was a bit more wet than what I could see in the videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@papadave9061]

Nice job Adam.......and Mom & Dad! Oh yeah and the canine inspectors.😄

[@oldguyfirewood]

That was a major project Adam. You and your parents did a fantastic job.

[@bwillan]

Those stairs turned out great. Your parents are troopers for helping you out on that project in the heat of the summer. Kudos to them.

[@danielnestorick9942]

The stairs look awesome. Regardless of cost each time you walk on them or look at them you’ll know you and your parents built them yourself. That’s priceless.

[@tomashbaugh8891]

Nice job Adam! I can tell you have the genes of your father. I can’t imagine how proud of you he is. Looks great!

[@billobermeyer660]

From accountant to making concrete steps, you are amazing Adam along with your parents! Fantastic job from start to finish!! Beautiful shot of the pond from the steps! What a transformation from when you barely had room to walk in front of your house at one point.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

Those lights look cool! Nice job to you and your parents.

[@HometownAcres]

Thanks for your help with the math on these steps

[@savagefirewood]

Well Done Adam and to you’re parents. Impressive job to match the scenery overlooking the pond . Outstanding! Cheers my friend 👌🏻🔥🇨🇦

[@kennethblack3485]

great job ken from kent england your mam and dad stars

[@TheCopperVillageAngler]

Thank you, Mom and Dad!

[@richardwentland3489]

Honestly, way better than I thought it’d turnout! Another example of diy learning and accomplishment. Congratulations Adam AND FAM!

[@robert.brokaw3829]

You're lucky that you had your mom and dad helping - both are real troopers and mom knows her way around concrete and a trowel. Nice job Adam. Stay safe.

[@andrewsamanthamadison3320]

Dude that looks amazing! Fantastic job!!! Your parents rock

[@HometownAcres]

Yes they do

[@thesalopgardener]

Here in the UK you'd be looking at around about £3-4k for steps like that installing from an earth bank. My only concern was where you've back filled in (especially) on the top step, is that the backfill isn't compacted down nearly enough. Treading it in isn't really applying a lot of force. You either need to use a mechanical whacker plate, or as a minimum in confined spaces a manual thumper pad or rammer. Otherwise a great job, and well done to your ma and pa for sticking it out in the heat you've had over there.

[@Salmomlox]

Adam, the stairs are beautiful and amazing. What a tough job you and your parents accomplished. The view from the stairs seeing the blue water is breath taking. It's really a wonderful project. So much hard work went into those steps and the rocks you installed earlier. Wow 123 bags. I was guessing almost 200 bags! Thank you Adam's parents for helping Adam accomplish this project. You guys are awesome and amazing.

[@danielwillliams9669]

I thought the same about the pond. The entire scheme is just amazing!

[@d.j.robinson9424]

Looks fantastic Adam, I would have charged $ 3500 for the job.I think the wetter the concrete when adding coloring should have worked.💚👍👍

[@greglammers9905]

Nice job! When you look at those stairs you will always think of your folks and how they helped you. We built our house in 1998, my dad passed in April of that year. In the spring of 99 we sodded part of our yard and my mom helped. Every time I see the yard I think of my mom, and how she helped us.

[@bioniclife]

It looks freaking awesome! I know it's a ton of work just pouring from a truck. Mixing it adds a whole new level of work. NICE JOB!

[@ModernCountryLiving]

Looking good man! One thing an (ahem) older middle aged guy like me would have done is lift the pallet of bagged concrete to be right next to the mixer. Let the tractor be your friend. :) Less motion and bending over to pickup bags and then lifting and walking... A small thing when younger....LOL! Great job tackling the project!

[@mikewatson4644]

Looks really nice. Doing the project with your parents makes for some great memories.

[@nickgironda8932]

Adam, I’m an interior hardwood stairguy. Next to a curved stair, bowed treads are the holy grail in stairwork. They make an impression like nothing else. I’ve helped form some concrete stairs a few times for monolithic pours. Never anything like your project. I cannot come up with a way to achieve your end result by forming the whole thing and using redi-mix 🤔 I think forming step by step and site mixing was the only way. Cost? ALOT! Considering all the labor involved. I gotta say YOU and your parents DID A FANTASTIC JOB 👏👍 BRAVO 👏 I HOPE YOU GET A GAZILLION VIEWS!

[@HometownAcres]

Thank you Nick. Nice to hear from a stair guy

[@RayFinkle05]

You’re very blessed to have the equipment to do this, most DIYers would have to spend $6-$10k for this. Also, spray your bucket with diesel so the concrete won’t stick to the bucket.

[@GaryE20904]

I just had to say wow that looks amazing! I would be immensely proud of that. Great idea! Great execution of that idea! If that were my house I would swell with pride for decades every time I looked at or used those steps! Congratulations Adam!

[@haroldphipps3457]

There are companies that will mix small batches on site. However, as you would expect, there is a premium price paid for that service. The concrete you put amongst the rocks ties everything together very well! Literally makes the rocks and steps flow together! Stroke of genius there! Im surprised at the prices the concrete guys are quoting! I would have guessed 8 to 10 thousand dollars. The memories you and your folks made are priceless!!

[@darrellhigley4523]

Another fantastic job! The mixer paid for itself.

[@jimwiskus8862]

That is a magnificent job Adam! My hats off to you, mom & dad. You clearly chose the correct path. I was shocked at how expensive the form was. Yep you guys killed this project! See you in the next installment.

[@bobhover3863]

You can’t puta price on pride of ownership. They look fantastic. Very well done. I enjoyed this build.

[@stevendegrande4893]

Concrete with the Hauses would be a great source to reach out to. You did an amazing job on your stairs. They are a great focal point towards the pond and the house. I thoroughly enjoyed the entitle project. Keep up the awesome content.

[@fintan3563]

The best part is how the steps are poured into the side boulders 🪨🪨🪨. Beautifully done! 🩶🩶🩶

[@samrobinson9802]

Great job Adam. You and your parents should be proud of your accomplishments.

[@PDeker]

Hi Adam, I think the stairs look awesome. The view from the drone looked so good, it made all the difference in the world to the front of the house. I am so proud of the work you and your parents did on this project. God bless your family.

[@meraftis]

Mr Adam - great video. Two questions, curious why you gravel based the top step but didn’t need to for the others. And where did your “helper” get those white sneakers, I need me a pair!!!

[@markknister6272]

Very nice!! Pouring all at once would have been a nightmare! And a great line to the pond.

[@chet-n2m]

Great job Adam, Stairs look great.

[@trigonx1]

Those stairs turned out very well! This entire landscaping project has been fantastic to watch, doing one step at a time and not rushing is going to pay off in the end.

[@jimstewart8927]

Great job and always an important result from concrete work---get 2--3 times more help then anticipated! Great parents raise great children!

[@HometownAcres]

Very true

[@AdamsMom921]

I would like our children and grandchildren’s memory of us …. Nice hard working people that wanted to help them with anything. We enjoy seeing success (sometimes learning mistakes too)!!!

[@kennethtibbitts414]

YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THE JOB YOU DID!

[@HometownAcres]

Thank you

[@jaybrown7177]

Wow. Very nice work. Makes you appreciate concrete workers a bit more.

[@HometownAcres]

Sure does

[@KwanTao69]

Love you steps man, and your parents are first class...

[@billkiessel6682]

Heck of a job Adam!! Really looks nice with the boulders along the sides. I always loved working alongside my dad.

[@danielwillliams9669]

That look awesome and your parents rock! Great job - no amazing job. Very cool and thanks for sharing!

[@truthbetold2611]

Great job! I'd like rounded steps outside my patio door. This is a beautiful build.

[@DetroitLove1977]

Man that looks professionally done!! Great job!

[@jarduhat8267]

YT been pretty meh for me lately but for some reason this was one video I was really looking forward to seeing. Thanks for sharing your project!

[@matthewgalligan8112]

Adam u an your family done a great job an u take more pride in your stuff when u do it yourself so I think u saved alot

[@jenthrasher5056]

The stairs turned out amazing.

[@davidabel2192]

Great job on the steps, they look terrific, you will also cherish the memories you made working with your Mom and Dad on this project for the rest of your life.

[@2020Tundra]

Adam, that was a huge project to take on, but the results look awesome 👍 And you have the joy of knowing that you and your parents built it together… what a memory to have for the rest of your life!!!

[@joshmiller8663]

Adam the step look amazing great work.

[@davidepperson2376]

Those steps look FANTASTIC!

[@craigjay769]

That looks bloody brilliant. Great work

[@BeamDigger]

Not bad for a bean counter! But in reality, it's not bad period. Your attention to detail and ability to learn on the fly has made this an awesome feature. Seeing what you're able to crank out is very motivating to us other office-dwelling weekend warriors. Thanks for sharing the journey with us.

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Great Job Adam, and making Memories with mom and pop, Take Care 👍🏼🇺🇸

[@davidpickens3117]

The stairs came out AWESOME. GREAT JOB Govna

[@carmenmariacortesmarin2664]

Wow, beautiful! Congratulations to you and your parents!

[@jimf6427]

Tom Sawyer strikes again. Your parents are Becky and Huck, yes? I think had you contracted this job they would have been crushed stone. They love doing this and my hat is off to them. They tell their bridge club that they will be pouring concrete for the next two weeks and won't be able to make any matches. Turned out beautifully.

[@tonygough8713]

Good work Adam, that was a big job. Thanks for your great videos.

[@jamessanders4310]

I watch "Concrete with the Hauses" channel and he applies sealer the day after pouring concrete. He is an excellent source for tips and tricks...

[@oleberg4196]

Looks great. Made my back hurt just watching. You can add color when mixing.

[@duaneamos4413]

Nice Job Adam, steps look great! Nice diy project!!!

[@montymc450]

The backbone is done. Looks magnificent Plants will tie it all in beautifully. Well done folks

[@markp3296]

Great job - that looks awesome! Of course, you know it looks even better since you did it yourself.

[@jimjensen1414]

those stairs look GREAT, good job, Adam and parents !!!!

[@jamessteffens8337]

Very nice job. Bags are very heavy. Glad you had help . We did the Same in north Carolina.

[@richardmain8059]

Fantastic look the steps are tying the upper and lower portions together in rustic and artistic manner, they will be one of the harmonious Center Pieces of the garden. The picturesque view of the steps is awesome and the beautiful pond is incorporated into proud Center Piece of the overall view. Well done. Your Parents are amazing individuals seeding their skill and energy into memories that you will forever harvest in reflection. 😀👍👍👍

[@seansullivan1439]

Very nice. You have a hard working family.

[@brucemitchell5637]

That looks fantastic Adam! You should be really proud of what you and your parents accomplished!

[@schbiker24]

Looks good - you should be proud of yourself 👍🏻

[@paulweakley3440]

Awesome DIY job. Motivated me to get outside and finish a project. One note - If you don't cut some lines for cracking into those stairs (especially the top and bottom), nature is gonna decide where the cracks show up for you. In southern IN, that project would have cost easily $4k, but really more like $5-6k for someone to do it as high quality as you.

[@bmorrison0070]

Looks wonderful. Great job.

[@keithbeynon3878]

Looks nice Adam, a job well done and you have the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

[@davidsmathers5621]

Congratulations Adam great job

[@OldIronAcres]

Anderson is going to LOVE taking those solar lights out into the woods! Great job on the steps! House is looking great!

[@billybike57]

Turned out so good, well done!

[@stevekeider7200]

Your parents are great, looks beautiful

[@darryyllklarkey3964]

Perfect job Adam. Now you just need a little lighting and a railing.

[@richardbrowne1679]

It looks fantastic- Great Job! Custom DIY stone planters at the top might look good.

[@authorcharlieboring]

I like the end product. Great job!

[@harleyfiremedic7796]

Great job Adam and Family!!!!!

[@millcrafters]

Adam, fabulous job. I really appreciate that you ran through the numbers at the end of the video because I am considering doing some concrete work around my home. I think your idea of colorant sealant is a great one because it will tie together the flat part of the steps that got the powder colorant, with the face of the steps that did not. They will still be different, actually complimenting each other because of the colored sealant, but it will be all the more harmonious in the blend. The fill in on the sides between the stones finishes it off really nicely. The camera shot of looking down the steps with the beautiful lawn, and pond in the background is a heart throb. Well done. I'm inspired.

[@Mike-bj1jj]

Great job Adam! Those steps look amazing.

[@hkerr-di1yg]

Adam, nice job. A lot of work.

[@craigjay769]

Just looking at how beautiful your property is looking, you should do a time lapse from the start to now

[@HometownAcres]

That’s a great idea

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Looks great! That was certainly a brave DIY project. Great job by you and your parents.

[@mpoulin]

The stairs look awesome Adam!

[@giovannifiorentino8947]

Adam, for your next concrete job I suggest to watch Anthony s West Coast Concrete for a lot of good advices.

[@cattigereyes1]

Looks great! A nice add to the property!

[@jacklachman5304]

GOOOOOOOD MORNING & HAPPY TGIF to all the M-F working folks out there…steps came out excellent imho! You’ll tweak it to perfection soon. Your parents are wicked awesome. They earned a very find dinner for sure. I’m sure you’re glad that project is done. Sure does add a great accent to you house. Catch y’all on the next one Have a Day!!

[@davesauerzopf6980]

Very nice job. I was not sure how it would turn out at first but, it is BEAUTIFUL. Not a concrete guy but I do watch Concrete with the Haus's and they usually add the color in with the cement mix and also add color with a spray for 2 tone. I am by no means a concrete person. That canopy looked like an Ollies 69.99 canopy. lol I have 2 just to use for stuff like that! Kudos to your parents for all the did as well.

[@e1ucas]

That looks really nice, Adam!

[@l.w.petersen7359]

Looks really good those steps

[@frankwhite2072]

The stairs came out great.

[@jeremeyellis16]

Kinda funny when you say that you "manhandled" when you have a tractor and a mini excavator 😆 Seriously though, that is a lot of work and it looks fantastic!

[@harleyjetdriver1957]

I know there are child labor laws. LOL, you would think they have elder labor laws! Kudos to your parents! It easy to see where you get your work ethic! Great job!!

[@HometownAcres]

😂

[@ProductiveRecreation]

Came out looking nice! Time will tell on the cold joints… Strength increase is nonlinear, but keeps increasing over time with good moist curing. 28 days is defined as full strength for concrete, although most of it comes by the first 3-7 days.