A few days ago, I decided this area next to the house needs a change. It served as a path to the yard and a little trash can holding area. Previously, the area just had some slate stones, and was soggy and uneven. Taking out the trash was not pleasurable. I decided to make taking out the trash a pleasant experience.

I’m in the process of building the forms and just messing with heights and angles. Hoping to compact and gravel it tomorrow. I’ve never done concrete before, I like learning new DIY stuff, and I’ll have a few helpers on the big day.

Can this whole path and trash area be poured at the same time? I was hoping for just one delivery from the concrete mixer truck.

If you’re bored spot the shell casings in the photos of the back area.

It's definitely not too big to pour and work in one delivery. How many yards are you looking at? I would put in some joints every 10' or so... or 3x the width of the walkway, max.

Are you going to put in some welded wire reinforcing?

I'd also think about someone to help spread and brush so it doesn't take you too long and the concrete start setting up and become unworkable before you're able to get to it all.

How many yards will you need?

The question is not can the concrete company deliver the concrete you need but who will finish it?

If it’s just you that will be a lot of wheel barrowing and you probably can’t do it. If you pay a slab finisher and he shows up with a couple of guys then yes.

Just as n FYI my sub charges $0.30psf with a $500 minimum but it will be done right.

As for adding wire mesh you can do that but it will be much easier (and just as strong) to get the concrete plant to add wire fibers to the mix at the plant.

Back in my contractor days I watched a lot and finished a little concrete. Enough to remove the desire to do a job like that myself and to know some things are better done by people that do it for a living. Not to mention cheaper and better.
The problem is that you don’t get a free do over and you could have a real mess at your house that you experience every day. Removal of a botched job would be expensive and then you get to pay to have it done again.
Better to buy a six pack or three and watch.

I look at it this way...

If you fuck it up, that’s a lot of concrete to bust and haul from your mistake.

Get someone to do it right...

Straighten out that path before you start doing anything else.

Interesting to see how this turns out. Personally I would not do this job myself. Concrete work like this typically isn’t expensive. Not worth the hassle and risk for me. Mess it up and you either pay someone to or you bust up and remove the concrete yourself.

Definite yes on expansion joints.

Have you considered paving it instead of pouring it?

I imagine the winters there might be hard on poured slabs but I’ve never dealt with concrete up north.

Let me add another, "I've done it and you'd be happier to pay someone to do it for you"

Concrete isn't difficult but it gets SO MUCH easier after doing it a few times. If you do it yourself, you will very likely end up with a result that you are at least "ok" with. Unless you are completely inept or unlucky you'll only make a few mistakes that you will have to look at or at worst redo.

Professionals make a job like that painless and easy for less money than you would expect.

If you have 5-6 guys help you wheelbarrow it back to where it needs t logo, and they are stilled at finish, maybe. Otherwise, you may want to hire it out. Also, if you don't have the finish tools, buying them for a single job will be cost prohibitive. It does look like you would need a float, based on the large area.

One point I'd like to make is that your stakes (that size, or that far apart) will not hold back concrete that weighs 150 lbs psi (4,000 lbs/ cy).

Additionally, in some places it looks like it could be as deep as 5-6 inches if that is a 2" firing strip, which would be overkill. Do you plan to put down any rock underneath?

If I were closer, I'd offer to help cause I like concrete work, but it will bust your ass, and you will feel it for days.

Having done some concrete work, I would suggest going the contractor route as the others have suggested.

Not knowing your ability for this kind of stuff we are leaning on the careful side so the job is presentable when done.

It will be your own Mt. Rushmore when done, if it is sloppy you will see it every time you walk by. The question becomes “Darn, I wish I had someone else do it when I had the chance”. If your projects typically come out better than you expect then go ahead and do it yourself. If they go the other way, hire a contractor.
Phila area - any permits required?

Hire a contractor. Looking at your forms, and please don't take this wrong, they will not stay in place. 2X4's on straight runs. The curves are okay but need more stakes. Have your stakes below the forms, it will make the screding easier. Chalk lines along the building with expansion (felt). No concrete against your existing concrete.

Concrete, like roofing, is something to be hired out.

Yes you could do it and even finish it, but there re little tricks that you only figure out after a few jobs....

I’d hire it out

The question is not can the concrete company deliver the concrete you need but who will finish it?

If it’s just you that will be a lot of wheel barrowing and you probably can’t do it. If you pay a slab finisher and he shows up with a couple of guys then yes.

Just as n FYI my sub charges $0.30psf with a $500 minimum but it will be done right.

As for adding wire mesh you can do that but it will be much easier (and just as strong) to get the concrete plant to add wire fibers to the mix at the plant.

^^^^^^^^^
He is correct. Memories of my youth include busting out bad concrete with a sledgehammer. This is a job that is not fun and best hired out if you can afford it.

I'll add to the above statements, the slope for proper drainage needs to be considered so there aren't puddles of standing water or even worse, water diverted towards the house.

I'd agree, hire out the job, they have the equipment, skills, and knowledge to get it done quickly and correctly.

Some things you just can't skimp on, and it's part of your largest investment, a home, you'll see it every day and your wife will remind you if you screw it up LOL

OTOH have you considered having a base put down then installing a paver walkway and patio? You wouldn't need a team to do that, just a saw and compactor which you can rent.

The key here is that this is your home . You don't want it to look like a DIY job . Pay a professional and it will go quicker , easier , and look so much better .

Very minimum you want experienced help. Do not underestimate the equipment side of your adventure. Wheel barrows and finishing equipment, as well ppe like Rubber boots. There won’t be time to go get anything once the truck arrives.

Calc our how many yards you are going to need. Figure out the maximum load where you live (here it is ten yards, but it may be or less elsewhere.). If the maximum load is ten yards and you need eleven for your project you may want to consider changing it up a bit. Two trucks for nineteen yards doesn’t hurt near as much as two trucks for eleven yards.

Wheelbarrowing concrete is not a lot of fun. Depending on the size of the job it may be worth considering a pumper.

One advantage of getting a contractor is that he has likely done it both ways (wheelbarrow v pump), knows a good pumper if he determines that’s the best way, know how many guys he’ll need doing it either way, knows which way will be cheaper / better, and has guys who know what they’re doing that he has worked with before. There should be very little to no learning on the job.

Learning new stuff is fun, but concrete is very unforgiving and the time pressure is real.

Another vote for a contractor.

I've overseen concrete pours as small as sidewalks to 1000cy bridges. You'll need some other guys to help at minimum but it would be best to let a contractor lay it out and finish it. That's too much concrete to potentially screw up.