Concreting FAQs

Every job is different — the price depends on the size, the finish (plain, exposed aggregate, coloured), the site access and any prep or removal needed. Rather than quote a vague per-metre figure, we come out, look at the job and give you a written fixed quote so you know the exact price before any work starts. There's no charge and no obligation. For ballpark ranges, see our cost guides in the Guides section.

Yes. We work to QBCC requirements and Australian Standards, and we're fully insured for both residential and commercial work. Any concreting job in Queensland over the QBCC threshold legally needs a licensed contractor — always ask to confirm before you hire anyone.

As a rule of thumb you can walk on new concrete after about 24–48 hours, keep vehicles off for around 7 days, and wait the full 28 days before parking anything heavy like a caravan or truck. Concrete keeps gaining strength for weeks after the pour — we'll give you clear instructions for your specific job on the day.

Concrete reaches roughly 70% of its strength in the first 7 days and keeps curing for around 28 days to reach full strength. Curing isn't just 'drying' — keeping it moist in the early days actually makes it stronger, which matters in the Central Queensland heat. We manage curing as part of the job.

It depends on the load. A domestic driveway or path is typically 100mm reinforced; a slab carrying a boat, caravan or heavy vehicle steps up to 125–150mm with heavier reinforcement; shed and house slabs are built to the engineer's design. We assess the use and soil and build to suit — it's all in the quote.

Sealing isn't compulsory, but it's strongly recommended for decorative finishes like exposed aggregate and coloured concrete — it protects against stains and UV, keeps the colour rich, and makes cleaning easier. In the CQ climate (intense sun plus a wet season) a good seal noticeably extends how good your concrete looks. We can seal as part of the job and advise on resealing.

The crossover (the section between your boundary and the road) usually needs to meet Rockhampton Regional Council — or Livingstone Shire on the Capricorn Coast — standards, and some work needs approval. We build crossovers to spec and can guide you on what your particular job requires. If you're unsure, ask us when we quote.

A properly prepared and poured concrete driveway can easily last 30–40 years or more with minimal maintenance. Lifespan comes down to the groundwork, correct thickness and reinforcement, good drainage and the odd reseal — which is exactly what we focus on getting right.

We cover Rockhampton and all its suburbs, Gracemere, Mount Morgan, plus Yeppoon, Emu Park and the wider Capricorn Coast. If you're in Central Queensland and not sure whether we reach you, just give us a call — we travel for the right job.

Yes. We pour everything from home driveways, slabs and decorative patios to commercial and industrial floors, hardstands, car parks and tilt panels for the CQ industrial market. Whatever the scale, you get the same written quote and workmanship guarantee.

Most residential jobs — a driveway, patio or shed slab — take anywhere from one to a few days on site depending on size, access and prep, plus the curing time afterwards before you can use it. The pour itself is often the quickest part; the preparation, formwork and finishing are where the time goes. We'll give you a realistic timeframe in your quote so you can plan around it.

Concrete naturally shrinks a little as it cures, so some fine hairline cracking is normal and doesn't affect strength. The bigger structural cracks are what you want to avoid, and they come down to preparation — proper base compaction, the right thickness and reinforcement, and control joints cut in the right places so the concrete cracks where you want it to, not where you don't. Getting those fundamentals right is exactly what stops the problem cracks, and it's what we focus on.

Control joints are the grooves you see cut into a driveway or slab at regular spacing. They give the concrete a planned weak point to crack along as it shrinks and moves, so any cracking follows a neat straight line instead of wandering across the surface. They're a normal, deliberate part of good concreting — not a fault — and we place them to suit the size and shape of your job.

Yes. We can demolish and remove existing driveways, slabs and paths as part of the job, then prep the base ready for the new pour. Removal and cartage does add to the cost, so we'll include it clearly in your written quote rather than springing it on you later. In some cases old concrete can be resurfaced instead of replaced — we'll let you know if that's an option worth considering.

It depends on the condition. If the slab is structurally sound but looking tired, stained or has minor surface damage, resurfacing gives you a fresh look for less than a full replacement. If it's badly cracked, sinking, or the base underneath has failed, replacement is the smarter long-term spend. We'll give you an honest assessment when we look at it — we're not going to talk you into a full replacement you don't need.

Concrete can be poured year-round here, but the CQ conditions do matter. In the peak summer heat we manage the pour and curing carefully so the surface doesn't dry too fast, and during the wet season we plan around the rain since a heavy downpour on fresh concrete can damage the finish. Part of the job is watching the forecast and timing the pour well — something a local crew does as a matter of course.

Not usually. Once the quote's agreed and we know the details, we can get on with most jobs without you needing to be there the whole time — though it helps to catch up at the start so we're on the same page about levels, finish and where things go. We'll keep you updated and let you know when it's done and safe to use.

The main things are giving it time to cure before loading it up, keeping heavy vehicles off for the first few weeks, and cleaning it occasionally with a hose or pressure washer. For decorative and exposed aggregate finishes, resealing every few years keeps the colour rich and the surface protected against the CQ sun and wet-season damp. We'll leave you with simple, specific advice for your finish on the day.

Yes — every quote is free, written and no-obligation. We come out, look at the job, talk through what you're after, and give you a clear fixed price so there are no surprises. You can request one through our contact page or just give us a call, and we'll sort out a time that suits you.