About Me

Connor's Guide to Concrete Welcome to my new blog! My name is Connor and this my concrete blog. Concrete may seem like a pretty boring subject. But it is only boring if you do not understand the incredible possibilities. When the interior designer I was working with suggested that I install some concrete inside my home I thought he was crazy. I thought concrete was only used for the floor of your garage, your carport or for a patio area. However, when I saw the possibilities that polished concrete offered me in terms of looks and functionality, I was sold! I hope you like my blog.



Factors That Affect the Cost of a Concrete Slab in Your Yard

If you're upgrading your home in certain ways, you might need a concrete slab to be poured. For example, you might plan for a new backyard shed or a fresh driveway. Concreters will typically charge per metre for jobs such as these, and several factors will affect their quote. To learn more about these factors, read on.

Slab Size

Laying a slab involves the contractors measuring the ground to determine the required size. A frame will need to be made and placed into the ground before the concrete is poured. For larger areas, this entire process will take longer, so labour costs will be higher. Plus, more cement is required for bigger slabs, increasing the material costs. So the slab's size is central to the quote.

Slab Thickness

The slab thickness will also affect the price. For example, a house slab will be thicker than a shed foundation that is supporting a lighter structure. Thicker concrete slabs require extra labour and more cement.

The contractors will need to set up for the job and get the equipment in place. Remember that they need to undertake this set-up whether the job is big or small. This will increase the cost per metre for a smaller job, as the set-up will be a greater percentage of the overall charge.

Ease of Access

The ease of access for pouring a slab will also influence the quote that concreters provide. A driveway at the front of a home is typically easier to reach than a shed in a back garden. Thus, you may end up paying more for a slab for a shed than for a driveway, even though they may be similar in size.

Sloping Ground

If the ground slopes where the slab is required, contractors will need to accommodate the slant. They can either excavate the earth to make it level or else pour the concrete so that it's thicker on one side. The increased complexity will add to the quote.

Types of Slabs

The type of slab you specify will also impact the cost. For example, a reinforced slab, which is concrete poured into a framework of steel bars, will cost more than standard cement. Typically, though, the strength of reinforced concrete is only required for larger buildings.

If the slab is for a driveway or shed, you might want a decorative finish. For example, coloured concrete is imbued with pigments or stains, which takes additional time. Stamped concrete is moulded with texture mats to leave impressions on the surface, while stencilled concrete involves using stencils to control colours that create patterns. Exposed aggregate, which is filled with pebbles and stones, is another decorative option that will require more labour and materials and amp up the cost of the slab. For more information, contact a concrete slab service.