The typical stages
- 1
Quote and planning
A site visit, measurements, finish choice and a written quote.
- 2
Council crossover approval (if needed)
If the crossover is included, your council may need to approve it first. Timeframes vary by council.
- 3
Removal
Breaking up and taking away any old surface.
- 4
Excavation and base
Levelling, adding base material and compacting.
- 5
Formwork and reinforcement
Setting up the edges, levels and falls, and placing reinforcement.
- 6
Pour and finish
Placing the concrete and applying the chosen finish, commonly in a single day for a typical residential driveway.
- 7
Curing
The concrete hardens and gains strength over the following days and weeks.
Curing: when can you use it?
- Foot traffic is commonly OK after about 24–48 hours.
- Cars are commonly OK after about 7 days.
- Concrete keeps gaining strength for about 28 days.
Always follow your concreter's advice, as timings depend on the mix, thickness, finish and weather.
Perth heat and wind
Hot, dry and windy conditions can make the surface dry out too quickly, which may affect finishing and increase the risk of surface cracking. Concreters often schedule pours for cooler parts of the day and use curing methods to slow moisture loss. Your concreter will confirm how they manage this.