Frequently Asked Questions
Concrete Services
- New Zealand
Concrete FAQs NZ
Have questions about a concrete project? Below are answers to some of the most common questions about concrete driveways, patios, paths, slabs, foundations, repairs, decorative concrete and commercial concreting in New Zealand.
General Concrete Questions
Concrete Services Direct can help with enquiries for a wide range of residential and commercial concrete projects, including:
- Concrete driveways
- Paths and pathways
- Patios and outdoor areas
- House foundations
- Concrete slabs
- Garage and shed slabs
- Pool surrounds
- Concrete repairs and replacement
- Exposed aggregate and decorative concrete
- Retaining walls
- Commercial concrete
If you’re unsure which service your project falls under, simply describe what you need when requesting a quote.
Yes.
Concrete enquiries can include residential, commercial, rural and construction-related projects.
Residential work may include driveways, patios, paths, garages and outdoor areas, while commercial projects can include workshop floors, warehouse slabs, yards, accessways, parking areas and foundations.
Concrete enquiries can be submitted for projects across the regions covered by Concrete Services Direct throughout New Zealand.
When requesting a quote, include your town, city or region so the location of the project is clear.
Useful information can include:
- Property location
- Type of concrete work required
- Approximate dimensions
- Intended use of the concrete
- Existing surface or ground conditions
- Preferred finish
- Site access
- Photos
- Plans or drawings
- Approximate timeframe
You don’t need to know every technical detail before getting in touch.
Concrete Cost Questions
There is no single price that applies to every concrete project.
The final cost can depend on:
- Total area
- Concrete thickness
- Excavation
- Base preparation
- Reinforcement
- Site access
- Drainage
- Concrete finish
- Removal of existing concrete
- Concrete pumping
- Project complexity
- Location
For this reason, a project-specific quote is usually much more useful than relying on a general square-metre figure.
Concrete driveway pricing depends on more than just the size of the driveway.
Important factors can include ground preparation, driveway thickness, reinforcement, drainage, slope, access and the chosen finish.
A plain concrete driveway on a straightforward site can have a very different cost from an exposed aggregate driveway requiring extensive excavation or old concrete removal.
Generally, decorative finishes such as exposed aggregate involve additional materials and finishing work, so they can cost more than straightforward plain concrete.
The exact difference depends on the aggregate, project size, preparation and other site-specific factors.
That depends on the extent and cause of the damage.
Small, localised problems may sometimes be suitable for repair.
Where concrete has widespread cracking, settlement, poor levels or significant deterioration, replacement may provide a better long-term solution.
The cause of the damage should also be considered before deciding.
Sometimes, because certain fixed costs can be spread across a larger area.
However, a larger project may also involve more excavation, reinforcement, labour, concrete and site preparation, so size alone does not determine the final rate.
Concrete Driveway Questions
The required thickness depends on the expected vehicle loads, ground conditions, reinforcement and project design.
A driveway regularly used by heavy vehicles, trucks or machinery may require a different specification from a standard residential driveway.
The appropriate thickness should be determined for the individual project.
Reinforcement is commonly used in many concrete driveway projects, but the exact requirements depend on the design, loads and ground conditions.
Reinforcement does not eliminate the possibility of cracking, but it can help control movement and improve the overall performance of the concrete.
Yes.
Existing driveways can often be extended or widened to create:
- More parking
- Easier vehicle access
- Space for trailers or boats
- Improved turning areas
- Better garage access
The new section should be planned around the existing driveway levels and drainage.
Yes.
The existing driveway can be broken up and removed before the area is excavated, re-prepared and new concrete installed.
Replacing an older driveway can also provide an opportunity to improve drainage, widen the entrance or change the finish.
Concrete Slab & Foundation Questions
A concrete slab is generally a flat concrete surface or structural floor, while a foundation refers to the system that transfers the building loads into the ground.
Depending on the building design, the two may form part of the same overall foundation system.
Some foundation projects require engineering depending on the building, ground conditions, structural design and applicable project requirements.
Where engineering drawings or specifications have been prepared, the concrete work should follow those documents.
Yes.
Concrete slabs can be installed for garages, sheds, workshops and other buildings.
The slab should be designed around the building dimensions, vehicle or machinery loads, reinforcement and any specific requirements for the structure.
Yes, but the slab needs to be designed for the expected concentrated loads.
If a vehicle hoist, heavy machinery or other substantial equipment will be installed, this should be identified before the slab is poured.
The required slab specification may differ in the equipment area.
Site Preparation Questions
Concrete performs best when it is supported by a properly prepared and stable base.
Poor preparation can contribute to:
- Settlement
- Uneven movement
- Cracking
- Drainage problems
Preparation may involve excavation, levelling, compacted base material and correcting unsuitable ground before the concrete is installed.
Not always, but in many replacement projects the old concrete will be removed before the new surface is installed.
Pouring new concrete directly over an existing surface is not automatically the best solution because the underlying concrete, levels and movement can affect the new work.
Soft, filled or unstable ground may require additional excavation or preparation before concrete is installed.
The correct approach depends on the actual site conditions.
For structural work, engineering or geotechnical information may sometimes be required.
Yes.
Good drainage helps prevent water from:
- Ponding on concrete
- Flowing towards buildings
- Collecting around garage doors
- Eroding surrounding ground
- Saturating the base beneath the surface
Driveways, patios and paths should generally be installed with suitable levels and falls to manage water.
Concrete Finish Questions
Common options can include:
- Plain concrete
- Broom-finished concrete
- Exposed aggregate
- Coloured concrete
- Other decorative finishes
The most suitable finish depends on the location, appearance, surface use and budget.
Exposed aggregate is a decorative concrete finish where the surface is treated so the stone within the concrete becomes visible.
It creates a textured appearance commonly used for:
- Driveways
- Patios
- Paths
- Entranceways
- Pool surrounds
Exposed aggregate provides natural surface texture, but the slip resistance of any exterior concrete can depend on the aggregate, finishing method, sealing and surface condition.
Areas around pools and other wet locations should be planned with surface grip and drainage in mind.
Yes.
Colour can be incorporated into decorative concrete projects to help the surface work with the building, landscaping and surrounding materials.
Colour options should ideally be selected with the overall property in mind rather than viewed in isolation.
A close match may be possible, but new and older concrete rarely look completely identical.
Age, weathering, aggregate, colour and the original concrete mix can all affect the appearance.
If matching is important, this should be discussed before the work begins.
Concrete Repairs Questions
Some cracks can be repaired, but the best approach depends on why the crack occurred and whether movement is continuing.
Minor surface cracking may be very different from structural cracking or concrete that has moved because of unstable ground.
Replacement may be worth considering where there is:
- Extensive cracking
- Significant settlement
- Multiple uneven sections
- Serious surface deterioration
- Poor drainage or incorrect levels
- A need to substantially change the layout
Repairing badly deteriorated concrete can sometimes provide only a temporary improvement.
The right solution depends on why the concrete has sunk and the condition of the slab.
Where there has been substantial movement or failure of the underlying base, removal and replacement may be the better option.
Sometimes.
Individual sections of a driveway, path or slab may be able to be removed and replaced.
The practicality depends on the location of the damage, joints, appearance and overall condition of the surrounding concrete.
Concrete Installation & Timing Questions
The timeframe depends on:
- Project size
- Excavation required
- Site preparation
- Access
- Boxing and reinforcing
- Weather
- Concrete finish
- Project complexity
A small residential project may be completed relatively quickly, while larger structural or commercial work can require significantly more preparation.
Concrete begins hardening soon after placement, but it continues gaining strength over time.
The amount of time before foot traffic, vehicles or heavy loads can be applied depends on the project and conditions.
Follow the contractor’s advice before using newly poured concrete.
You should wait until the concrete has developed sufficient strength before allowing vehicles onto it.
The appropriate timeframe can vary according to the concrete, thickness, weather and project conditions, so follow the guidance provided for the specific driveway.
Yes, but colder weather can affect concrete placement and curing.
Conditions such as low temperatures, frost and rain need to be considered when scheduling the pour and managing the curing process.
Rain can interfere with concrete placement and finishing, particularly if it occurs at the wrong stage of the pour.
Weather conditions are therefore considered when scheduling exterior concrete work.
Access & Difficult-Site Questions
Concrete pumping may be an option where the truck cannot discharge directly beside the project.
This can be useful for:
- Rear sections
- Narrow driveways
- Restricted-access sites
- Sloping properties
- Areas behind buildings
Pumping requirements can affect the overall project cost.
Concrete can be used on many sloping driveways.
However, gradient, drainage, traction, vehicle clearance and site access need to be considered carefully.
Very challenging sites may require additional planning or engineering.
Yes.
Rural and lifestyle projects can include:
- Driveways
- Workshops
- Shed slabs
- Equipment pads
- Machinery areas
- Hardstands
- Vehicle parking
If heavier vehicles or machinery will use the concrete, make this clear when requesting a quote.
Concrete Retaining Wall Questions
Yes.
Concrete retaining walls can be used to support changes in ground level and create more usable areas around homes, driveways and landscaping.
Drainage behind retaining walls is an important part of many retaining systems because water pressure can place additional load on the wall.
The drainage requirements should form part of the overall retaining design.
That depends on factors such as wall height, location, loads, ground conditions and what the wall is supporting.
Larger or more complex retaining walls may require engineering and other approvals.
Commercial Concrete Questions
Commercial concrete enquiries can include:
- Warehouse floors
- Workshop slabs
- Industrial floors
- Concrete yards
- Hardstands
- Parking areas
- Commercial driveways
- Loading areas
- Foundations
- Equipment pads
It can be.
Commercial surfaces may need to support trucks, forklifts, machinery, storage systems and heavier traffic, which can affect slab thickness, reinforcement, joint design and preparation.
Where available, provide:
- Plans
- Engineering specifications
- Dimensions
- Concrete specifications
- Expected loads
- Site access information
- Construction programme
- Existing site details
The more project information available, the easier it is to understand the scope accurately.
Getting A Concrete Quote
No.
Approximate measurements are often enough for an initial enquiry.
More accurate measurements or a site assessment may be required before final pricing is confirmed.
Yes.
Photos can help show:
- Current ground conditions
- Existing concrete
- Site access
- Slopes
- Drainage
- Surrounding buildings
For replacement projects, photos of the damaged concrete can be particularly useful.
If your project involves foundations, building slabs, retaining walls or structural concrete, plans can be very helpful.
Engineering drawings and specifications should also be supplied where available.
Yes.
You don’t necessarily need to have every detail finalised before making an enquiry.
Provide the information you currently have and explain what you’re considering.
Still Have A Question?
If your question isn’t covered above, get in touch and tell us about your project.
Whether you’re planning a concrete driveway, patio, pathway, foundation, slab, retaining wall, decorative concrete or commercial project, provide your location and the details you already have.
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