Concrete, driveway - suggestions?

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#2792323 9-Oct-2021 16:35

Regs: you could try advertising the job on www.builderscrack.co.nz and let the contractors chase you with quotes instead of the other way around :-)

Just be aware that the really cheap quotes you get on there for concrete-related work will often be complete cowboys. Had someone who was surprisingly cheap but checked out as a legit, established business turn up to deal with our concrete driveway, sent him away again when we saw how he planned to do it.

neb

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#2792325 9-Oct-2021 16:40

Niel: Highly recommend completely barricading off access from the road/pavement a couple of meters away from the new concrete, and keep watch for at least 12h after the concrete arrives on site (preferably 'till 10PM).

And in particular keep an eye out for the cretins who work for NZ Post who will walk around a line of traffic cones in front of fresh concrete and then back and forth twice over the concrete leaving tracks of prints in both directions.

timmmay

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#2792330 9-Oct-2021 16:54

Ours was a 15m long, 4m wide driveway, plus a 1m wide path about 0.5m below, path to the house, stamped pattern. No way I was going to do that myself. Even the professional did only ok. Something learned: put plastic sheet down underneath colored concrete (even if it's just dark) otherwise something in the soil makes the color fade quite quickly.

Tinkerisk

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#2792469 9-Oct-2021 22:14

I don‘t know the english term for this but I‘d prefer it.

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neb

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#2792480 9-Oct-2021 22:59

Tinkerisk:
I don‘t know the english term for this but I‘d prefer it.

Permeable pavers. Was thinking of suggesting that, the advantage is that you pay for the pavers and delivery and the rest is a Small Matter of Digging (and swearing if you're so inclined). It really depends on the traffic you're expecting, they're more suited to hardstands than driveways.

NglButiLoveTechnolog

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#2792615 10-Oct-2021 08:46

timmmay:

NglButiLoveTechnolog:

Hey I was wondering if you could provide me with the details to your "Professional concrete guy who lives in Johnsonville"? I'm wanting some concrete placing works done. Thnx

His phone has been disconnected, and the job he did while ok isn't up the standard that I'd recommend him for.

Ah I see. Thanks for the honesty Timmay :D. I've been contacting other concrete contractors (found heaps on Google) but every company I've contacted says they're busy haha

NglButiLoveTechnolog

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#2792616 10-Oct-2021 08:50

Lias:

I know Braden and a couple of guys who work for Tidy Slabs. Never actually had any work done by them thou.

Cheers for the recommendation. I've contact them now :D . Fingers cross their schedule is free

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#2792635 10-Oct-2021 10:04

If it's something where looks are important don't let the job get too close to Xmas. My neighbour's drive was the last job of the year and ultimately getting to the big Tradie's xmas party before the strippers had gone triumphed over a good job.

PolicyGuy

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#2792703 10-Oct-2021 13:24

NglButiLoveTechnolog:

I've been contacting other concrete contractors (found heaps on Google) but every company I've contacted says they're busy haha

My great-uncle wants his driveway done, but the firm says they can't do it until maybe before Christmas, otherwise February.
He owns 25% of the company, and the people telling him the scheduling "good news" are his sons (who own another 50% between them)!

It's busy out there in tradie-land

elpenguino

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#2792728 10-Oct-2021 15:42

Since this is a more general concreting thread, a question for those with some experience.

I will have to re-lay some concrete path at some time in the future. The area is currently broken up but I won't tell the whole story or I'll use up too much internet.

What are the tips for DIY concreting a path on a slope? Slope is somewhere between 'whoops' and 'if that ball runs away on you, it'll be out on the road in a trice'.

Getting some kind of grippy surface would be a must.

Bonus for all the concrete not ending up in a puddle at the bottom of the slope.

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Sidestep

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#2792763 10-Oct-2021 17:55

elpenguino:

What are the tips for DIY concreting a path on a slope? Slope is somewhere between 'whoops' and 'if that ball runs away on you, it'll be out on the road in a trice'.

Getting some kind of grippy surface would be a must.

Bonus for all the concrete not ending up in a puddle at the bottom of the slope.

Use a drier - low slump - mix.

Box your job in sections, fill from the lower end.

Make sure your rebar-mesh isn't going to slide downhill.

Broom finish, pattern, or for more grip you can insert strips eg. concrete stair non-slip mouldings..

neb

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#2792764 10-Oct-2021 17:55

elpenguino:
Getting some kind of grippy surface would be a must.

There are lots of options, but for good grip the go-to is exposed-aggregate, wait for it to set a bit, then scrub the surface while running water over it to, uh, expose the aggregate. Just google that term, there's lots of info online.

Another option, less grippy, is brushed concrete, run a brush over it to create grooves in the surface. For a more professional look, use a corner trowel to smooth the edges, so you get a centre strip of brushed concrete framed by smooth edges.

If it's sloping though and you're worried about slipping I'd go for exposed-aggregate. Alternatively, put down brick pavers.

neb

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#2792766 10-Oct-2021 18:00

Sidestep:
Make sure your rebar-mesh isn't going to slide downhill.

Speaking of sliding downhill, put a good base of compacted hardfill under the concrete, possibly anchored with footings in places. The cowboys who did the Casa just poured the concrete straight onto a clay surface, which formed a nice lubricant for it to slide downhill on when water got underneath it. The more the concrete slabs slid, the more water could get in underneath...

Jase2985

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#2792795 10-Oct-2021 18:54

NglButiLoveTechnolog:

Ah I see. Thanks for the honesty Timmay :D. I've been contacting other concrete contractors (found heaps on Google) but every company I've contacted says they're busy haha

Im in Auckland and my driveway was suppose to start on the 18th of Oct. Lockdown has pushed that back till 22nd of November. and i was the last job he was fitting in before Xmas.

Tradies are very busy at the moment. especially in Auckland

NglButiLoveTechnolog

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#2793356 11-Oct-2021 17:57

Update: just had a company came to my house and do the quote. Quote = is 52m2 $17,100.10 reasonable price? im not a concrete expert so apologies for the novice questions.

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