Concrete Work in Whanganui

Hairline shrinkage cracks are normal; that is what control joints are for — they give cracking a straight place to happen. Wide, uneven or lifting cracks signal a base, reinforcement or curing problem. If a new slab cracks outside its joints within months, call the contractor back.

Surface spalling, small cracks and pitting can be patched, resurfaced with an overlay, or ground back. Slabs that have sunk can sometimes be lifted with foam or grout injection ('slabjacking') for far less than replacement. Structural failure or widespread base movement means replacement.

Excavation and sub-base, formwork, reinforcement (mesh size or fibre dose), concrete grade and thickness, the finish (broom, trowel, exposed aggregate, stamped), control joints, curing method, and spoil removal. Any quote that just says 'supply and lay concrete' leaves too much undefined.

Broom (non-slip, standard outdoors), steel trowel (smooth, indoor), exposed aggregate, stamped/patterned, coloured and polished. Decorative finishes can add 30-100% to the base rate but replace the cost of a separate surface like pavers or tiles.

Look for crews who do concrete daily, not general handymen — finishing is a perishable skill and a two-hour window decides how the slab looks forever. In Whanganui, ask for addresses of slabs poured a few years ago and look at the joints and edges, which is where poor work shows first.

Laid-and-finished flatwork typically runs NZ$100-160 per m² for plain concrete and NZ$150-250 for exposed aggregate or decorative finishes, reflecting NZ's higher materials and labour costs.