Hiring Guides
Concrete Driveways: Planning, Finishes and Questions for Your Concreter
By TradieCorner Team · · 1 min read
Concrete looks simple, but most of what makes a driveway last happens before the pour: the base, the reinforcement, the drainage and the joints. Once it's set, there's no going back, so it pays to ask the right questions first.
What goes into a good driveway
- Excavation and a compacted base suited to the soil
- Reinforcement appropriate to the loads it will carry
- A fall that directs water away from the house
- Control joints to manage cracking
- Proper curing time before cars drive on it
Choosing a finish
Broom finishes give grip and a classic look. Exposed aggregate reveals the stones in the concrete for texture. Coloured, stencilled and stamped finishes imitate pavers or stone. Ask how each finish handles slipperiness when wet and how much upkeep it needs.
Questions to ask your concreter
- How will the existing driveway be removed and disposed of?
- How thick will the slab be, and what reinforcement will you use?
- How will you handle drainage and the connection to the street?
- Where will the control joints go?
- How long before we can walk on it, and drive on it?
Check approvals at the street
The section between your boundary and the road — the crossover — is often council land with its own rules and approvals. Ask your concreter whether they handle this, and check with your local council.
This article is general information only and isn't legal, financial or trade advice. Requirements vary by state and territory and by the type of work.
