Get quotes

TR-07, building service

Concrete Contractors for Foundations, Slabs and Driveways

Concrete contractors for foundations, slabs, driveways and footings. Send one free request and independent local contractors quote you directly, no obligation.

Service
Concrete Contractors
Quotes from
Concrete contractors
Area
All nine provinces
Cost to you
Free, with no obligation
Workers levelling freshly poured concrete over reinforcing mesh for a house slab in South Africa
Workers levelling freshly poured concrete over reinforcing mesh for a house slab in South Africa

Everything above ground relies on concrete done right below it. Concrete contractors excavate and pour foundations, cast floor slabs and surface beds, lay driveways and build footings for walls, carports and tanks. BuildingContractors.co.za doesn't do concrete work itself. Tell us what you need, the size and where you are, and we pass your request to independent concrete contractors serving your area. They visit or review your plans and quote you directly. The request is free and there is no obligation to accept a quote.

Foundations and footings

Most houses stand on strip footings under each load-bearing wall, sized to the soil and the load. Building foundation contractors set out the trenches from the approved plans, excavate to firm ground and cast the footings, often with Y12 rebar where the engineer specifies it. On the Highveld and in parts of the Free State, expansive clay swells and shrinks with the seasons, so a structural engineer may call for deeper footings, reinforced rafts or a soil report. For new homes enrolled with the NHBRC, foundations are inspected before the slab goes in, and an engineer signs off where required under SANS 10400.

Concrete slabs and surface beds

A ground-floor concrete slab, or surface bed, is usually poured on compacted fill, a damp-proof membrane and reinforcing mesh such as ref 193. Good compaction in layers matters more than people think: poor fill is a common cause of cracked and sinking floors. Suspended slabs for double-storey homes are a separate job, needing engineered designs, props, shuttering and steel. Ask how the contractor will compact, cure and joint the slab.

Driveways, paths and yards

Concrete driveways need a well-compacted base, reinforcement where specified, a thickness that suits the vehicles using them, and control joints cut or formed so that cracks happen in straight lines. Finishes include broom, exposed aggregate and stamped patterns. For heavy trucks or industrial yards, ask for a design from an engineer.

Ready-mix or site-mixed concrete

Larger pours usually use ready-mix delivered by truck, sometimes with a concrete pump where trucks can't reach. Small jobs are often mixed on site with 50 kg bags of cement, sand and 19 mm crusher stone. Either way, the right strength, enough cement, no extra water on site and proper curing for several days decide how the concrete performs. A good quote states the concrete strength, thicknesses, steel, who supplies the materials and how the work will be paid in stages.

Comparing quotes for concrete contractors

The lowest price is not always the best value. When your quotes arrive, check:

  • Scope: what is included item by item, and which materials the contractor supplies.
  • Payment: a deposit and payments in stages as work is completed, never most of it upfront.
  • Time: the start date, how long the work will take and what happens if it runs late.
  • Compliance and guarantee: approvals and certificates needed for the job, and the guarantee on workmanship.

What to include in your request

  • What you need: foundations, slab, driveway or footings
  • Size in m² or metres, and thickness if your plans show it
  • Approved plans and engineer's drawings, if you have them
  • Soil type or slope, and whether a concrete truck can reach the site
  • Whether the contractor supplies concrete and steel, or labour only

Frequently asked questions

Are you a concrete company?
No. BuildingContractors.co.za is a free quote-request service. We send your request to independent concrete contractors in your area, who quote you directly and carry out the work if you accept. There is no charge for the request and no obligation to accept any quote you receive.
Do I need an engineer for foundations?
Often, yes. Building plans for a new house or extension usually need foundations designed or approved by a registered engineer, especially on clay, fill or sloping sites. The municipality and, for new homes, the NHBRC expect this. Small garden walls and paths may not, but ask your local council if unsure.
How thick should a concrete slab be?
House surface beds are commonly around 85 to 100 mm thick, and driveways are often thicker, but the right figure depends on the soil, loads and the engineer's design. Follow your approved plans. A contractor should confirm thickness, mesh and concrete strength in writing on the quote.
Why does new concrete crack?
Most cracks come from shrinkage as concrete dries, poor compaction under the slab, too much water added on site, missing control joints or moving clay soil. Careful base preparation, the right mix, joints in the right places and keeping the concrete damp while it cures all reduce cracking.

Concrete Contractors by province

Concrete Contractors by city and town

Get free quotes