Quotes and planning
No, and we would be wary of anyone who does. Two driveways of the same size can involve very different work once you factor in removal of the old surface, access for the truck, ground conditions, drainage, the finish and any crossover works. A free site look lets the concreter measure properly and give you a written quote that reflects your property. Our guide to what shapes driveway cost explains the main factors.
Yes. There is no charge for the visit or the written quote, and no obligation to go ahead. The visit is usually quick: the concreter measures up, checks access and levels, asks how you use the space and talks through finishes.
That depends on the season, the weather, the size of the job and whether a council permit is needed first. Small jobs without permits can often be scheduled sooner than driveways involving crossovers. Your concreter will give you a realistic timeframe with the quote.
Think about how you use the area, which finish you like, and whether the crossover needs to change. Photos of finishes you like help. If you have architectural plans, engineer's drawings or a planning permit, have them handy.
It helps, because you can talk through options and ask questions. If you cannot be there, photos, measurements and a phone call afterwards can work for simple jobs.
Line them up item by item. Check each covers removal and disposal of the old surface, excavation depth and base material, slab thickness and reinforcement, the exact finish and stone blend, control joints, drainage, crossover works and permit handling, sealing and clean-up. Look for exclusions such as rock, tree roots or hazardous materials. A quote that looks cheaper often leaves something out, and a quote that spells everything out is easier to hold someone to.
Permits and councils
For the private driveway inside your boundary, usually not, unless a planning permit applies, for example in some heritage overlay areas. For the vehicle crossover, the section across the nature strip and footpath to the kerb, councils require a permit for new, widened, relocated or replaced crossovers. See our crossover permit guide.
Brighton, Brighton East (mostly), Hampton, Sandringham, Beaumaris and Black Rock are in Bayside. Moorabbin is in Kingston, Highett is split between Bayside and Kingston, Bentleigh, Caulfield South and Elsternwick are in Glen Eira, and Elwood is in Port Phillip. Your rates notice will confirm it. See service areas.
Either the owner or the contractor can apply, depending on the council's process. Many homeowners prefer the concreter to handle it. Either way, the crossover must be built to the council's standard drawings and inspected where required.
It can. Visible changes in heritage areas may need planning consideration, and the materials and colours you choose may matter. Check your planning property report early and ask your council if unsure.
Councils protect street trees, and a new or widened crossover usually has to keep a set distance from trees, pits, poles and other assets on the nature strip. If a tree is in the way, the council will tell you what is allowed. This is one of the main reasons crossover designs change, so it is worth checking early.
Finishes and materials
Concrete with decorative stones mixed in, where the surface layer of cement paste is washed off to reveal the stone. It is textured, grippy and hides dirt well, which is why it is so popular across Bayside. See exposed aggregate.
It depends on the house, how you use the driveway and how much maintenance you want. Our comparison guide walks through looks, grip, upkeep, repairs and tree roots for each.
Strong sun can soften the colour of pigmented concrete over time, and surface sealers wear. Choosing a quality oxide, sealing and re-sealing when needed keeps colour looking better for longer.
Polished concrete is available on request for suitable indoor and outdoor projects. Whether it suits your floor depends on the slab, so it is assessed at the site look. See polished concrete.
Smooth or heavily sealed concrete can be. Around pools, choose a textured finish such as light exposed aggregate or broom finish, and a sealer suited to wet, barefoot areas, with anti-slip additive where needed. See pool surrounds.
Construction and curing
Foot traffic is usually fine after a day or two, and light cars after about a week, though heavier vehicles should wait longer. Concrete keeps gaining strength for weeks. Your concreter will advise based on the mix, the weather and the job.
Concrete shrinks as it dries and moves with the ground and temperature. Control joints, good base preparation, correct reinforcement and proper curing guide cracking into the joints and keep it to a minimum. Hairline cracks are common and usually cosmetic; wider or uneven cracks point to movement worth investigating.
It depends on the loads, the ground and the design. Most driveways have steel mesh supported within the slab; heavier vehicles or poor ground may need more. Check your quote states the thickness and reinforcement.
Sometimes an overlay or resurfacing is possible if the old slab is sound, but levels at the garage, house and footpath often rule it out. Where the old driveway has failed, removal and a new pour is usually the better option. See repairs and resurfacing.
Light showers can sometimes be managed, but heavy rain can damage a fresh surface. Concreters watch the forecast and will reschedule if needed. Hot, windy days also need care to stop the surface drying too fast.
Water should fall away from the house and garage towards the street, a garden area or a drain. Where the garage sits lower than the road or the driveway is long and flat, grated trench drains connected to the property's stormwater system are common. Getting falls and drains right at the start prevents water pooling, staining and damage to buildings.
Not if it is prepared well. Sandy soils near the bay drain freely, but they need proper compaction and a good crushed rock base so the slab is evenly supported. Edges are protected so water cannot wash sand out from under the concrete. Clay soils further inland need a different kind of attention, mainly around moisture and movement.
Maintenance
Sealing is strongly recommended for exposed aggregate and coloured concrete, and is a good idea near the coast. It helps resist stains, salt and water. Plain broom-finished concrete can be left unsealed if you prefer. See concrete sealing.
When water stops beading and soaks in, darkening the surface, or the finish looks dull and patchy, the sealer is wearing. Sunny, high-traffic and coastal areas need it sooner.
Sweep regularly, hose off salt and sand, clean oil and leaf stains promptly with a suitable cleaner, and pressure wash occasionally on a moderate setting. Avoid harsh acids on sealed or coloured surfaces. Our coastal care guide has more tips.
Often, yes. Cracks can be cleaned out and filled, damaged sections cut out and replaced, and trip edges ground down. If the base has failed widely, replacement is usually better value in the long run.
Rarely exactly. Concrete colour depends on cement, sand, stone, weather on the day and years of ageing, so new work beside old usually looks different at first. Planning joints at natural breaks, choosing a complementary finish or resurfacing both areas gives a tidier result.
About this website
Brighton Concrete connects you with local concreters. The concreter who quotes carries out the work and you deal with them directly. See about us.
Brighton 3186 and nearby suburbs including Brighton East, Hampton, Sandringham, Beaumaris, Black Rock, Highett, Moorabbin, Bentleigh, Caulfield South, Elsternwick and Elwood.
Still have a question?
Call 0407 977 529, email contact@brightonconcrete.com.au or send the quote form.