Concrete Heaved

skyhook

Dr. x wants me to fix his patio walkway. The tree in the corner heaved a 3'x3' x3-1/2" part of the walkway. Dr. x does not want new concrete, instead, he says jack it up. Shore it up. Dig. Cut the roots. Dig. Backfill and compact.
Drop the (e) pad back where it was.
I told him bust it out, haul away, dig, backfill and compact, new concrete.
The job is mine if I do it his way.
I say no way.
What would you say? (he is a good friend)

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Double-A

I'd tell him that as soon as he is willing to take advice from me on how to treat his patients, I'll take his advice on how to treat his concrete problem.

There is risk involved in what he's asking, and its not worth the result, so, I'd just tell him to have at it himself. And if he gets in a fix, just tell him to call another doctor for a consult. I'm sure they can figure it out.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

woodmagman

Your not taking advice from a good friend that has a Dr. in front of his X, yet your asking me.....mmmm let me see. ......o.k. I thought about it. Does his suggestion break any building or saftey codes, cause hazards to life or limb. Are you in danger or subjected to be hurt while doing the job. Is it going to take longer, cost more money look like crap or be a complete waste of time. Seeing he is a friend lend him a pinch bar, jack and shovel and have at it. Your going golfing with his buddies while he does your job. And while your in the club house write a few scrips for what you please

concretemasonry

If he wants it his way, make him write out a diagnosis, method of treatment and medication. This includes includes the future care of the tree. Then have him sign a release that all liability will be his personally and the carrier of his malpractice insurance.

Then have it approved by his attorney and notarized.

After that, have him deliver his first born before the start of construction as a deposit. Since he is a friend, do not charge too much for care and feeding of the infant.

Seriously, the slab is really immaterial in comparison to the loss of the tree.

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

skyhook

Wait, this is the same Dr. x who fixed his own sewer lateral line.
Removed the blacktop on the street. Dug down and found it right where the leak was. Wrapped it in a 6mil trash bag and encased the leaky 6" clay pipe in concrete. Backfilled. Put back the same blacktop. Will not spend an extra dime.

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AtlanticWBConst

First thoughts to pop into my head too..

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- Build Well -

woodmagman

Be careful, his condition is likely contagious, If you find yourself doing dumb things, seek someone who knows....call a proffesional in for a second opinion...

rino1494

LOL........I wouldn't even bother getting involved.

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Uncle Sam wants YOU....to speak ENGLISH

Bone Saw

Get to work

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ch0mpie

You guys take this stuff way too personal. Give him a proposal both ways and explain way your method is better and cheaper. If he still wants the other way do it.

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

This doctor x sounds like a pompous idiot who thinks he knows it all. He obviously has no idea what the WHOLE job entails. If he is so smart have him do it himself. Since he is your friend, maybe he is not so bad, but if he were a new customer I would steer clear.

Teetorbilt

Stick to your guns, sounds like a plan to me. BTW, he may want to remove the tree, roots grow back. You could also throw in a barrier wall that might stave off the surface roots, usually 24" deep around here. Depends on the type of tree.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

bill r

"Good friend" How good? We all do stuff for friends, sometimes when we know better. You're gonna get something dull cutting out those roots by hand

denick

Wait! This is a 3' x 3' pad 4" thick? Everything your talking about should take 2 men 3 hours if they know what they are doing, doing it the doc's way.

Do you want to do him a favor? Do you have the time in your schedule?

You could put a lot into this thinking about it. But there just isn't much to it. The one big factor is you said he's a friend. To me thats the problem. If he's a real friend I'd tell him I'd be over at ? O'clock with the tools and an extra guy if he's ready to work, we'll get it done. If not?

Doctors always have a day off!

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Nick

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving" Albert Einstein