What a concreter does
A concreter is the trade professional who works with concrete from the ground up: preparing the site, setting out the formwork, placing the concrete, finishing the surface and often helping with curing and small repairs. In New Zealand, concreters are commonly hired for residential driveways, paths, patio slabs, house foundations, shed slabs, steps, garage floors, retaining wall footings and other flatwork.
Concrete looks simple once it is set, but the quality of the finished job depends on a lot of details that happen before the truck arrives. A good concreter understands levels, falls for drainage, reinforcement, mix selection, finish types and how weather affects setting time. They also need to plan work around NZ conditions, especially hot summer days, sudden rain and cooler winter temperatures that can slow curing.
The main jobs a concreter is hired for
Most homeowners call a concreter for one of these common jobs:
- **Driveways**: New driveways, driveway extensions, widening existing drives, or replacing cracked and uneven concrete. - **Paths and walkways**: Straight garden paths, side access paths, step-ups and sloping pathways with safe drainage. - **Patios and outdoor entertaining areas**: Plain, broom-finished or decorative concrete for flat outdoor areas. - **House slabs**: Slabs for garages, sleepouts, sheds, cabins and other outbuildings. - **Foundations and footings**: Footings for walls, posts, decks, retaining structures and smaller structures. - **Steps and ramps**: Concrete steps, landings and accessible ramps where the design allows. - **Concrete repairs**: Crack repair, patching spalled areas, resurfacing, levelling and replacing failed sections. - **Decorative concrete**: Coloured concrete, exposed aggregate, stamped finishes and saw-cut patterns.
For many homeowners, the job is not just "pouring concrete". It includes all the supporting work that makes the slab strong, level and durable.
What happens on a concreting job
A concreter’s work usually follows a series of steps:
1. **Site inspection and measuring** They assess the area, check access for tools and concrete delivery, look at existing ground conditions and confirm sizes, levels and falls.
2. **Preparation and excavation** The area may need digging out, removing old concrete, shaping the base and disposing of spoil.
3. **Base preparation** A compacted base, often metal or aggregate, is installed to support the slab and reduce movement.
4. **Formwork** Timber or other forms are set up to create the shape of the slab and control levels and edges.
5. **Reinforcement** Depending on the job, the concreter may install reinforcing mesh, bars or fibres in accordance with the design.
6. **Concrete placement** The concrete is poured, placed and spread evenly before it starts to set.
7. **Finishing** This may include levelling, edging, broom finishing, trowelling, exposed aggregate washing or decorative pattern work.
8. **Curing and protection** Concrete needs to cure properly. The concreter may advise on keeping it damp, protecting it from traffic and avoiding damage in the early days.
9. **Cleanup and handover** Forms are removed at the right time, the area is cleaned up and the homeowner is given care instructions.
The different skills a concreter needs
A skilled concreter is part labourer, part technician and part finisher. The trade requires practical knowledge in several areas:
- **Reading plans and levels** so surfaces drain correctly and sit at the right height. - **Understanding site conditions** such as soil type, fill, moisture and slope. - **Mix and finish knowledge** for plain, decorative, exposed aggregate or high-wear surfaces. - **Timing and weather awareness** because concrete can set too quickly on hot days or be affected by rain and cold. - **Good preparation** since a poor base or bad formwork can ruin an otherwise decent pour. - **Attention to detail** to avoid ponding, cracks, lipping and uneven edges.
Concrete work often looks straightforward from the outside, but good results rely on precision. A minor error in levels or compaction can become a long-term problem.
How concreters differ from related trades
Homeowners often confuse concreters with builders, pavers, landscapers or civil contractors. There is some overlap, but the roles are different.
| Trade | What they usually do | How it differs from a concreter | |---|---|---| | **Concreter** | Places, finishes and repairs concrete slabs, paths, driveways, steps and footings | Focuses on the concrete surface and structure itself | | **Builder** | Frames, constructs and alters timber and light-framed buildings; may organise slabs for buildings | Often coordinates the overall building project, while the concreter handles the slab or footing package | | **Paver** | Lays paving stones, bricks or blocks | Works with individual units rather than poured concrete | | **Landscaper** | Designs and builds outdoor spaces, gardens, retaining features and paths | May include concrete work, but usually broader landscaping rather than specialist concrete placing | | **Civil contractor** | Handles larger-scale earthworks, drainage, roads, kerbs and infrastructure | Typically works on bigger or more technical projects than most residential concreters | | **Drainlayer** | Installs drainage and sewer/water services where permitted | This is separate regulated work in NZ and not the same as concrete placement |
In practice, a concreter may work alongside other trades. For example, a builder may organise a slab for a garage, a drainlayer may install stormwater lines, and a concreter may then form and pour the slab around those services.
When you should hire a concreter
You should talk to a concreter when you need a surface or structure made from concrete and you want it done properly the first time. Typical signs include:
- Your driveway is cracking, sinking or breaking up. - You want a new path, patio or shed base. - You need a level surface with proper drainage. - You are building a garage, cabin or small outbuilding. - You want exposed aggregate or another decorative finish. - You need a repair after tree roots, subsidence or poor old workmanship.
It is worth getting a concreter involved early, before you finalise the layout. Good tradespeople can flag issues such as access for a concrete truck, need for excavation, falls away from the house and whether council consent may be needed.
Consent, drainage and other NZ compliance points
In New Zealand, not every concrete job needs a building consent, but some do. As a homeowner, it helps to know where the lines are.
- **Building work may need consent from your local council** if the slab or footing forms part of a building or structure that requires consent, such as a garage, sleepout or some retaining work. - **Drainage and service work are separate matters**. Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are restricted work under the PGDB framework and must be done by appropriately authorised tradespeople. - **Electrical work is regulated by the EWRB** and must be done by a licensed electrician or under proper supervision. - **Site-specific requirements** such as stormwater management, access, setbacks, and boundary rules can affect where and how a concrete slab is built.
If you are unsure whether your project needs consent or specialist work, ask the concreter what they have allowed for and check with your local council before starting. For larger or more complex jobs, it is wise to have the builder or project coordinator confirm responsibilities in writing.
What affects the cost of concreting work
Concrete pricing varies a lot depending on the job size and site conditions. In NZ, a simple small path costs far less than a reinforced driveway with excavation, drainage and decorative finish.
Common cost factors include:
- site access and how easy it is to get machinery or a truck in - excavation depth and spoil removal - slab thickness and reinforcement requirements - finish type, such as plain broom finish versus exposed aggregate - concrete volume and pump requirements - edges, cuts, steps, curves and other detailing - repair or demolition of old concrete - weather delays or difficult ground conditions
Because every site is different, it is best to get **multiple written quotes** rather than relying on a rough price over the phone. A proper quote should explain what is included, what preparation is excluded, what finish you are getting and who handles cleanup.
How to choose a good concreter
Choosing on price alone can be risky. Concrete is unforgiving once it is set, so workmanship matters.
Look for a concreter who:
- has recent residential work similar to your project - gives a clear written quote and scope - explains the base preparation, reinforcement and finish - is transparent about curing times and aftercare - has appropriate insurance and references - can coordinate with other trades where needed
It is also sensible to ask who will do the job. Some companies do the work with their own crew; others subcontract parts of it. Either can be fine, but you should know in advance who is responsible for the finished product.
Questions to ask before you hire
Before you confirm a concreter, ask:
- What finish do you recommend for this area, and why? - How will you manage drainage and falls? - Will the job need excavation, base metal or old concrete removal? - Is reinforcement included? - How long before we can walk or drive on it? - What happens if bad weather affects the pour? - Do you handle council consent coordination, or do I need another tradesperson?
A good concreter should answer these clearly and without pressure.
The bottom line
A concreter does much more than pour grey material into a mould. They prepare the site, set the levels, place reinforcement, form the shape, finish the surface and help ensure the concrete performs properly for years. For homeowners, that means the right concreter can make a big difference to how a driveway, path, slab or patio looks and lasts.
If you are planning concrete work in New Zealand, take time to compare written quotes, check experience and confirm whether council consent or other specialist trades are needed. The best result usually comes from careful preparation, clear communication and the right trade for the job.