Concrete Scope of Work Checklist: Foundations & Flatwork (CSI 03 00 00)

For a General Contractor, Concrete is a “Point of No Return” trade. If the framing is wrong, you can move a stud. If the concrete is wrong, you are bringing in jackhammers and delaying the schedule by weeks.

Because concrete relies heavily on logistics (truck timing, weather, specialized equipment), the bids you receive often exclude the expensive “support” items to keep the sticker price low.

To ensure your foundation and flatwork bids are truly turnkey, use this Concrete Scope of Work Checklist (aligned with CSI Division 03).

The Standard Inclusions (The “Must Haves”)

Your Invitation to Bid (ITB) must clarify that the price includes the full lifecycle of the pour:

• Formwork: Supply, erection, and stripping (removal) of all forms.
• Reinforcement: Supply and install of all Rebar (#4, #5, etc.) and Welded Wire Mesh per engineering specs.
• Vapor Barrier: Supply and install of the under-slab vapor retarder (e.g., Stego Wrap), including taping seams.
• Placement: The actual labor of moving concrete from the chute to the form.
• Finishing: Troweling (Hard Trowel for interior, Broom Finish for exterior/garage).
• Control Joints: Saw-cutting joints at the proper intervals to prevent cracking.
• Curing: Application of curing compounds or water curing.

The “Scope Gaps” (Where You Lose Money)

The difference between a “Low Bid” and a “Complete Bid” in concrete is usually found in these four expensive exclusions:

1. The Pump Truck

Can the ready-mix truck drive right up to the hole? Often, the answer is no.

• The Trap: The concrete sub excludes “Pumping.” You find out on the day of the pour that the trucks can’t reach the back corner.
• The Fix: Explicitly state: “Include concrete pumping for all areas inaccessible by chute.”

2. Winter Conditions

Concrete creates its own heat, but it freezes if the air is too cold.

• The Trap: You pour in December. The sub charges you extra for “Hot Water” in the mix, Calcium additives, and insulating blankets.
• The Fix: Include a specific line item for “Winter Handling” or “Cold Weather Protection” if the schedule hits Q4 or Q1.

3. Anchor Bolts (Supply vs. Install)

This is the classic argument between the Concrete Sub and the Framer.

• The Trap: The Concrete guy says, “I’ll install them if you buy them.” The Framer says, “I wasn’t on site yet, why would I buy them?”
• The Fix: Assign the Supply AND Install of all embedded items (Anchor Bolts, Hold-downs, Straps) to the Concrete Subcontractor.

4. Stone Base / Fine Grading

• The Trap: The Excavator left the dirt rough (+/- 3 inches). The Concrete sub arrives and refuses to pour until the gravel is perfectly level.
• The Fix: Define who is responsible for the “Fine Grade” of the gravel base. Usually, the Concrete sub should include the final prep and compaction.

The Cleanup and Washout Liability

One of the most frequent sources of “back-charges” and environmental fines in concrete work is the Washout Area.

When a concrete truck finished its delivery, it must clean its chute. If the driver just dumps that “gray water” and excess slurry into the dirt, you could be facing significant EPA fines or municipal penalties for runoff.

Your scope should clearly define:

1. Washout Containment: Who provides the washout bins or liners?
2. Disposal: Who removes the hardened washout “bricks” once the project is over?
3. Spatter Cleanup: The concrete crew should be responsible for cleaning splatter off adjacent surfaces (siding, neighboring properties, or existing sidewalks) before it cures.

If this isn’t in the scope, you—the General Contractor—will spend your weekend with a pressure washer or a checkbook to fix the mess.

Interface Points (Coordination)

• vs. Plumber/Electrician: Who creates the “block-outs” or “sleeves” for pipes going through the wall? The MEP trades usually supply the sleeves; the Concrete sub installs them in the forms.
• vs. Waterproofing: Who snaps the ties and patches the honeycombs? The Concrete sub must patch their own walls before the Waterproofer arrives.

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Leveling Concrete Bids with AI

Concrete bids are messy—some bid by the “Cubic Yard,” others by the “Square Foot.”

Bid Bench normalizes this data for you by leveling bids automatically:

1. Extract: Our AI pulls the total cost and the “Unit Price” from the PDF.
2. Verify: It scans the “Exclusions” text block for keywords like “Pumping,” “Winter Heat,” or “Rebar.”
3. Alert: If a bidder excludes Pumping but the others included it, Bid Bench flags the gap so you can ask the right question before awarding the job.

Pour your foundation with confidence.
[Start your 30-day free trial of Bid Bench today.]