How long should it take to have a screened cage built (Birdcage)?

[Shadowrider]

I have a contract to have a screened cage added to my home. The concrete pad was poured rather quickly. I am now waiting for the cage to be built. I has been over 8 months. Every time I call the contractor they say probably another 3 months. They claim to be waiting for materials. I know there have been material shortages recently. Has anybody else had trouble getting a cage built?

[Papa_lecki]

I have a contract to have a screened cage added to my home. The concrete pad was poured rather quickly. I am now waiting for the cage to be built. I has been over 8 months. Every time I call the contractor they say probably another 3 months. They claim to be waiting for materials. I know there have been material shortages recently. Has anybody else had trouble getting a cage built?

I had a pool installed with birdcage installed. It took 3 months from first shovel in the ground to project completion. I think, once the foundation was complete, the birdcage took 2 or 3 days.
So 8 months for only a birdcage is excessive.
If only a birdcage, probably 4 weeks MAX.

[retiredguy123]

Sorry it happened, but that is way too long. If you paid all or most of the project cost in advance, they have no incentive to complete the work. If so, they are probably too busy finding other people to pay them upfront.

[Paul1934]

Who are we talking about? Looking at repair/replace of mine and am always interested in other experiences.

[villagetinker]

OP, I would start calling around to other birdcage installers for an estimated time to complete. I am assuming that you can get your deposit back or you did not pay up front for this work.

Ours took less than a week after concrete was ready. One word of caution, I am assuming you got ARC approval, and submitted plans for this project, if you go with another contractor, they will need to follow the original plans. We had to specify the color of the aluminum, as well as the basic design of the structure, location of doors, etc., I think the contractor was also specified on the ARC form.

We recently used A+ screening for a complete replacement of all of the roof panels (33 total), they had a 1 month lead time, and completed the work in 3 or 4 hours. Also, they were the only firm to provide license and insurance information the same day as the estimate.

[Babubhat]

Poor excuse by contractor. I would be contacting an attorney for advice. Friends are not having issues with completing cages

[pauld315]

I had a pool installed with birdcage installed. It took 3 months from first shovel in the ground to project completion. I think, once the foundation was complete, the birdcage took 2 or 3 days.
So 8 months for only a birdcage is excessive.
If only a birdcage, probably 4 weeks MAX.

Maybe in the good old days a few years ago. These guys are now routinely estimating between 8 months and a year to complete a birdcage.. We had ours built in 2021 and from contract signing until completion it was about 6 months. The cost of the project went up 15% from the time I started talking to these guys in November 2020 to February 2021 when I signed the contract because the price of materials went up. Also, they coujldn't get the bronze aluminum for awhile and there are still shortages of material they are dealing with, labor shortages because people would rather live off the government than work etc etc. This is the new reality under the current administration in DC.

[Papa_lecki]

Maybe in the good old days a few years ago. These guys are now routinely estimating between 8 months and a year to complete a birdcage.. We had ours built in 2021 and from contract signing until completion it was about 6 months. The cost of the project went up 15% from the time I started talking to these guys in November 2020 to February 2021 when I signed the contract because the price of materials went up. Also, they coujldn't get the bronze aluminum for awhile and there are still shortages of material they are dealing with, labor shortages because people would rather live off the government than work etc etc. This is the new reality under the current administration in DC.

It was Summer 2022 (last year).
The 3 months was from shovel in the ground to completion..
It was 12 to 18 months from contract signing to completion - but I did not have a construction project in my back yard for a year.

[bowlingal]

hopefully, you did not give any money up front.... bad, bad idea

[Katthughes]

If you dont mind I have a contract to have a screened cage added to my home. The concrete pad was poured rather quickly. I am now waiting for the cage to be built. I has been over 8 months. Every time I call the contractor they say probably another 3 months. They claim to be waiting for materials. I know there have been material shortages recently. Has anybody else had trouble getting a cage built?

[Rwirish]

3-4 months easy.

[me4vt]

Maybe you should convert it to a shuffle board court!

[Altavia]

During COVID, All Around Aluminum forecasted 8 Months but completed 2 months early, very nice work.

[midiwiz]

I have a contract to have a screened cage added to my home. The concrete pad was poured rather quickly. I am now waiting for the cage to be built. I has been over 8 months. Every time I call the contractor they say probably another 3 months. They claim to be waiting for materials. I know there have been material shortages recently. Has anybody else had trouble getting a cage built?

depends on size, etc. First thing is the pad has to set for a certain amount of time as each day of curing gains more strength. It also depends on color, I've been hearing the white frame is harder to get than bronze...which doesn't make sense because bronze is better and more common.

lastly don't know who you are using so I can't comment there.

[RiderOnTheStorm]

I have a contract to have a screened cage added to my home. The concrete pad was poured rather quickly. I am now waiting for the cage to be built. I has been over 8 months. Every time I call the contractor they say probably another 3 months. They claim to be waiting for materials. I know there have been material shortages recently. Has anybody else had trouble getting a cage built?

Less scrupulous contractors will never turn down a job, no matter how much is on their plate. They will also "lock up" the job by performing a small amount of work up front, making it difficult for you to switch contractors.
Our birdcage was recently completed in 3 months, but only because we were very persistent (weekly status talks), made only a very minimal upfront down payment ($500) and paid in installments only after the various tasks were successfully completed.
All that said, I advise you to "stay in the face" of the contractor (they do tend to respond better to "squeaky wheels") and threaten them with publicly sharing the facts of your experience (e.g. TOTV). The prospect of losing new business may provide the additional motivation required to finish your work.
To those considering future work: Be sure to include a "drop dead" clause in your contract; one that gives you the option to void the contract if the work is not completed in a specified time. This tends to separate the honest quotes from the greedy ones.

[Heytubes]

Having been in the business many years ago, once the slab is poured, no more than 3 weeks depending upon options. Also depends upon where the raw bauxite is imported from…you guessed it, Russia.

[Indydealmaker]

I have a contract to have a screened cage added to my home. The concrete pad was poured rather quickly. I am now waiting for the cage to be built. I has been over 8 months. Every time I call the contractor they say probably another 3 months. They claim to be waiting for materials. I know there have been material shortages recently. Has anybody else had trouble getting a cage built?

Really would like to know your contractor. I am having same problem. Our contractor took 3 months just to apply for a permit.

[wamley]

27 days after concrete is placed it is at its designed specification. Usually 350 PSF.

[Ptmckiou]

Yes my next door neighbor had a pool put in and she has been waiting about 5 months for the cage to finish it off. They can’t get all the materials. Contractor has tried several sources, including the Tampa area. I think if pool people aren’t working with T&D, they are all having problems getting the cages up timely. T&D places the order for all materials when you sign the contract, then stores them in a warehouse for construction 6 months later. T&D may have exhausted the local supplies so other contractors are having a tough time getting materials….especially cages.

[jimbo2012]

Sorry but you're being lied to
give him a dead line, which should have been in the contract to begin with.

[GmaLisaG]

Hurricane Ian has also impacted this area as contractors have either gone to the coast or contractors have come here and depleted the supplies.. always happens after a major hurricane

[retiredguy123]

If you want to enforce a contract deadline, you should include the legal phrase, "time is of the essence". Otherwise, a contract completion date is not enforceable.

[ton80]

27 days after concrete is placed it is at its designed specification. Usually 350 PSF.

IMHO your quoted compressive strength of 350 psi is off by a factor of 10 for mid range concrete mixes as defined by bags of Portland cement per cubic yard of concrete. From 50 years ago construction and engineering school, basement non load bearing slabs were 2000 psi and highway paving was 5000 psi.

Generally accepted curing rules are that concrete reaches 70 % of its ultimate strength in 7 days and that normal construction activities can continue. In TV you will see that wall block works starts in 2 days typically. The graphs typically show 10% strength gain per day for 7 days in basically a straight line. After that the strength increase rate generally slows down. 28 day strength is typically stated as 90% of ultimate strength. Theoretically concrete continues to gain strength "forever" at a continually decreasing rate but gains less than 10% additional past 28 days.

There is no need to avoid doing some work on the birdcage slab for more than 3 days to 7 days maximum. Generally shrinkage cracking control cuts are made the next day. Starting to drill the holes for attaching the frame can start soon there after. Using machinery to move large loads should wait for 7 days anyway.

[retiredguy123]

IMHO your quoted compressive strength of 350 psi is off by a factor of 10 for mid range concrete mixes as defined by bags of Portland cement per cubic yard of concrete. From 50 years ago construction and engineering school, basement non load bearing slabs were 2000 psi and highway paving was 5000 psi.

Generally accepted curing rules are that concrete reaches 70 % of its ultimate strength in 7 days and that normal construction activities can continue. In TV you will see that wall block works starts in 2 days typically. The graphs typically show 10% strength gain per day for 7 days in basically a straight line. After that the strength increase rate generally slows down. 28 day strength is typically stated as 90% of ultimate strength. Theoretically concrete continues to gain strength "forever" at a continually decreasing rate but gains less than 10% additional past 28 days.

There is no need to avoid doing some work on the birdcage slab for more than 3 days to 7 days maximum. Generally shrinkage cracking control cuts are made the next day. Starting to drill the holes for attaching the frame can start soon there after. Using machinery to move large loads should wait for 7 days anyway.
The other poster said 350 PSF, which is equal to 2.43 PSI.

[Villages Kahuna]

An experienced crew would have it built with screens installed in less than a day.

[Deden]

3 Months total concrete permits the whole thing 20 x 25 ft

[Karmanng]

i have a contract to have a screened cage added to my home. The concrete pad was poured rather quickly. I am now waiting for the cage to be built. I has been over 8 months. Every time i call the contractor they say probably another 3 months. They claim to be waiting for materials. I know there have been material shortages recently. Has anybody else had trouble getting a cage built?

can you please state the name of the company?

[mlmarr]

With the supply chain..totally messed up..thanks to nonsense.. patience is a blessing..food, fuel, building products etc.. are controlled right now.

[ton80]

The other poster said 350 PSF, which is equal to 2.43 PSI.

Then he was off by another 144 times. 3500 /2.43= 1,440

Check the internet: "Compressive strength is tested by breaking cylindrical concrete specimens in a special machine designed to measure this type of strength. It is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Testing is done according to the ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) standard C39.

Compressive strength is important as it is the main criteria used to determine whether a given concrete mixture will meet the needs of a specific job.

Concrete psi
Pounds per square inch (psi) measures the compressive strength of concrete. A higher psi means a given concrete mixture is stronger, so it is usually more expensive. But these stronger concretes are also more durable, meaning they last longer.

The ideal concrete psi for a given project depends on various factors, but the bare minimum for any project usually starts around 2,500 to 3,000 psi. Each concrete structure has a normally acceptable psi range.

Concrete footings and slabs on grade typically require a concrete of 3,500 to 4,000 psi. Suspended slabs, beams, and girders (as often found in bridges) require 3,500 to 5,000 psi. Traditional concrete walls and columns tend to range from 3,000 to 5,000 psi, while 4,000 to 5,000 psi is needed for pavement. Concrete structures in colder climates require a higher psi in order to withstand more freeze/thaw cycles."

I stand by my estimate that the slab for a birdcage will be 3500 psi design or lower and can be worked on for birdcage supports in less than 7 days.

[mlmarr]

An experienced crew would have it built with screens installed in less than a day.

Only if supplies are available.. have you checked where stuff comes from lately?

[retiredguy123]

Then he was off by another 144 times. 3500 /2.43= 1,440

Check the internet: "Compressive strength is tested by breaking cylindrical concrete specimens in a special machine designed to measure this type of strength. It is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Testing is done according to the ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) standard C39.

Compressive strength is important as it is the main criteria used to determine whether a given concrete mixture will meet the needs of a specific job.

Concrete psi
Pounds per square inch (psi) measures the compressive strength of concrete. A higher psi means a given concrete mixture is stronger, so it is usually more expensive. But these stronger concretes are also more durable, meaning they last longer.

The ideal concrete psi for a given project depends on various factors, but the bare minimum for any project usually starts around 2,500 to 3,000 psi. Each concrete structure has a normally acceptable psi range.

Concrete footings and slabs on grade typically require a concrete of 3,500 to 4,000 psi. Suspended slabs, beams, and girders (as often found in bridges) require 3,500 to 5,000 psi. Traditional concrete walls and columns tend to range from 3,000 to 5,000 psi, while 4,000 to 5,000 psi is needed for pavement. Concrete structures in colder climates require a higher psi in order to withstand more freeze/thaw cycles."

I stand by my estimate that the slab for a birdcage will be 3500 psi design or lower and can be worked on for birdcage supports in less than 7 days.
I agree. But, I think the concrete strength is less important for a bird cage because the weight it needs to support is much less than a concrete block wall or other types of wall construction.

Engineer joke:
Q: What did the fish say when he swam into concrete wall?
A: Dam

[TomGetz]

T&D just finished my pool couple weeks ago, one long day after concrete for birdcage !!

[Pairadocs]

depends on size, etc. First thing is the pad has to set for a certain amount of time as each day of curing gains more strength. It also depends on color, I've been hearing the white frame is harder to get than bronze...which doesn't make sense because bronze is better and more common.

lastly don't know who you are using so I can't comment there.

Just curious (in case we decide to go through with a birdcage addition too)...why is "bronze" aluminum much better than white ? Is strength effected when white paint is applied ? Just wondering, white is so much more attractive, but would forget the aesthetics if bronze is a sturdier material. I suppose the white is also more costly just due to the nicer look ? Again, could pass on white if bronze is stronger and cheaper !

[Papa_lecki]

Just curious (in case we decide to go through with a birdcage addition too)...why is "bronze" aluminum much better than white ? Is strength effected when white paint is applied ? Just wondering, white is so much more attractive, but would forget the aesthetics if bronze is a sturdier material. I suppose the white is also more costly just due to the nicer look ? Again, could pass on white if bronze is stronger and cheaper !

Not sure about anyone else here, but i personally don’t like the white birdcages, much prefer the bronze.

[Shadowrider]

Who are we talking about? Looking at repair/replace of mine and am always interested in other experiences.
Florida Pool Enclosures

[villagetinker]

Just curious (in case we decide to go through with a birdcage addition too)...why is "bronze" aluminum much better than white ? Is strength effected when white paint is applied ? Just wondering, white is so much more attractive, but would forget the aesthetics if bronze is a sturdier material. I suppose the white is also more costly just due to the nicer look ? Again, could pass on white if bronze is stronger and cheaper !

White seems to show more dirt and definitely more rust, if possible i would get stainless steel screws with the installation.

[retiredguy123]

Just curious (in case we decide to go through with a birdcage addition too)...why is "bronze" aluminum much better than white ? Is strength effected when white paint is applied ? Just wondering, white is so much more attractive, but would forget the aesthetics if bronze is a sturdier material. I suppose the white is also more costly just due to the nicer look ? Again, could pass on white if bronze is stronger and cheaper !
If they are both aluminum, then the strength is the same. Bronze vs white is just a color difference.