CRANBOURNE & SOUTH-EAST MELBOURNE
PLAIN & grey
CONCRETE CRANBOURNE
Honest, hard-wearing plain concrete done properly. Shed slabs, garage pads, driveways and pathways across the City of Casey, built on solid groundwork that lasts.
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CRANBOURNE CONCRETE SPECIALISTS
Plain Concrete, Done Properly
Plain grey concrete is the workhorse of the concreting world. It does not have the decorative texture of exposed aggregate or the polish of a honed finish, and it does not need to. What it needs to do is sit flat, carry the load, and last, and that comes down entirely to how well it is laid.
This is where plenty of cheaper jobs fall down. A plain slab looks simple, so it gets rushed. The groundwork is skipped, the steel is light, the joints are in the wrong place, and twelve months later it has cracked and lifted. We have spent over 15 years laying concrete across Cranbourne and the City of Casey, and we treat a plain slab with exactly the same care as a feature driveway. The finish is simpler. The preparation underneath is not.
Whether you need a shed slab, a garage pad, a practical driveway, or a network of pathways, we build it to last on ground that is prepared the right way. Every job starts with a free on-site quote.
PLAIN CONCRETE AT A GLANCE
Price range
$90 to $100 per m²
Typical timeframe
1 to 2 days
Lifespan
25 to 30 years
Walk on after
24 hours
Drive on after
7 days
Heavy loads after
28 days
Best for
Slabs & Pads
Service area
City of Casey
What we pour
plain concrete USES
Plain concrete is the most versatile and cost-effective finish we offer. It is the right choice anywhere strength and durability matter more than decorative appearance. Here is where it is most commonly used.
Garage & Shed Slabs
A flat, reinforced slab that sits level and stays put. The right base, depth, and steel mean your shed or garage floor will not crack, sink, or lift over time.
From $90 per m²
Driveways
A clean, practical
driveway
finish at the most affordable price point. Ideal for rear driveways, side access, or anywhere function matters more than kerb appeal.
From $90 per m²
Pathways & Access
Side paths, rear access, clothesline pads, and bin storage areas. A tidy, durable surface that keeps mud and mess out of the house and lasts for decades.
From $90 per m²
House & Extension Slabs
Slabs and footings for extensions, granny flats, outbuildings, and rainwater tank bases. Poured to engineering specification and built to carry the load.
Quoted per job
HOW ITS DONE
THE INSTALLATION PROCESS
Plain concrete lives and dies by the preparation. The finish is the easy part. This is the four-stage process we follow on every slab and pad we pour, and the reason our work holds up in Cranbourne's reactive clay where rushed jobs crack.
Why Choose It
Why plain grey CONCRETE Is Worth It
THe Most Affordable Option
Plain concrete is the most cost-effective finish we pour. If your priority is a durable, hard-wearing surface and you do not need a decorative look, it gives you the best value per square metre of any option, without cutting any corners on the groundwork that matters.
Tough and Long-Lasting
Poured properly over well-prepared ground, a plain concrete slab will last 25 to 30 years. It handles vehicle loads, heavy equipment, foot traffic, and the weather without breaking down. It is the surface you lay when you want something that simply works for decades.
Almost No Maintenance
Plain concrete needs less upkeep than any decorative finish. There is no resealing required to keep it looking right, no colour to fade, and no texture for dirt to embed into. An occasional clean is all it takes. For a shed or garage floor, that is exactly what you want.
Perfect for Slabs & Pads
For shed slabs, garage pads, and outbuilding floors, plain concrete is the obvious choice. You are pouring a working surface, not a feature, so every dollar goes into strength and groundwork rather than appearance. That is where plain concrete makes the most sense.
Built on Solid Groundwork
The reason most plain slabs fail is rushed preparation, not the concrete. We never rush the groundwork. The site is properly prepared, the steel is placed correctly, and the control joints are planned before we pour. The part nobody sees is the part that makes it last.
Upgrade Later If You Want
A plain slab can be the foundation for a decorative finish down the track. If your budget suits plain concrete now but you might want a coloured or honed surface later, we can talk through your options so you are not closing any doors. Honest advice, no upselling.
recent project
double Shed Slab, Pakenham
This job was a slab for a new 9 by 6 metre Colorbond shed on a rural-residential block in Pakenham. The block had soft, reactive ground, which meant the groundwork and reinforcement had to be right or the slab would have moved with the seasons.
We excavated and prepared the site to the correct depth and levels, set the formwork, and placed the reinforcement to the engineer's specification for the expected load. The slab was poured, screeded level, and given a smooth trowel finish ready for the shed build. Control joints were cut to manage stress, and the slab was cured properly to reach full strength before the shed went up.
JOB
Shed Slab
SIZE
40 sqm
TIMEFRAME
2 days
SUBURB
Pakenham
Pricing Guide
How Much Does PLain CONCRETE COST?
Plain grey concrete in Cranbourne typically costs between $90 and $100 per square metre. It is the most affordable finish we pour, since the cost goes into the groundwork and the concrete itself rather than a decorative surface treatment.
The table to the right gives realistic total price guides by job type and size. These are honest ranges, not vague estimates. We provide a free written itemised quote before any work begins.
JOB
TYPICAL
SIZE
PRICE GUIDE
Small shed slab
15 to 25 sqm
$1,350 to $2,500
Large shed slab
40 to 60 sqm
$3,600 to $6,000
Single garage pad
20 to 30 sqm
$1,800 to $3,000
Single garage pad
36 to 45 sqm
$3,250 to $4,500
Single driveway
28 to 40 sqm
$3,250 to $4,000
Double driveway
50 to 80 sqm
$4,500 to $8,000
Path
10 to 25 sqm
$900 to $2,500
All prices are indicative guides only and may exclude GST. Final pricing depends on site conditions, mix selection, grinding depth, and scope of work. Contact us for a free itemised on-site quote with no obligation.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT PRICE:
Slab thickness & Steel
A slab carrying a vehicle or shed needs more depth and heavier reinforcement than a light pathway, which affects the cost.
Total Size
Larger pours attract a lower per-metre rate as the fixed costs of the job spread across more area.
site preperation
Removing an old slab, dealing with soft or sloping ground, or poor access all add to the groundwork required.
finish & Drainage
A broom finish, extra control joints, or added drainage for a slab will affect the final price slightly
AFTERCARE
Caring for Your
Concrete
Plain concrete needs less looking after than any other finish, but the first month still matters. We talk you through all of this when the job is done.
01
The First 28 Days
Keep off the surface for 24 hours, wait seven days before driving on it, and avoid heavy loads for 28 days. Concrete keeps gaining strength for the first month, so the longer you wait, the stronger it sets.
02
Keep It Clean
Sweep regularly and hose or pressure wash now and then. Clean up oil, fuel, and chemical spills promptly, especially on shed and garage floors, since they can stain and degrade the surface over time.
03
Sealing Is Optional
Plain concrete does not need sealing to last, but a clear sealer on a garage or shed floor helps resist oil stains and makes cleaning easier. We can apply one if you want the extra protection.
04
Watch the Joints
Keep control joints clear. In Cranbourne's clay soil, well-maintained joints are your best protection against water getting underneath and causing movement. Call us early if you notice a crack widening.
RECENT WORK
Concrete Projects
Common Questions
Plain
concrete FAQs
We have answered the questions we hear most from homeowners across Cranbourne and the south-east. If you do not see yours here, just give us a ring — we are always happy to talk through a job before you commit to anything.
How much does plain concrete cost per m² in Cranbourne?
Plain grey concrete in Cranbourne and the City of Casey typically costs between $90 and $100 per square metre. It is the most affordable finish available because there is no decorative surface treatment. The exact price depends on the slab thickness, the amount of reinforcement, site preparation, and the total area. A small shed slab might run $1,350 to $2,500 and a large one $3,600 to $6,000. We provide a free itemised on-site quote before any work begins.
What is plain concrete best used for?
Plain concrete is the right choice anywhere strength and durability matter more than appearance. It is most commonly used for shed slabs, garage pads, house and extension slabs, rear or side driveways, pathways, and outbuilding floors. If a surface is going to be covered, used as a working floor, or is out of sight, plain concrete gives you the best value without compromising on how long it lasts.
How long does plain concrete take to lay?
Most plain concrete jobs are completed in one to two days. A shed slab or garage pad is often a single day for the pour, with preparation done beforehand. Larger slabs or jobs that need an old surface removed take a little longer. The concrete then needs time to cure before it is loaded. We give you a clear timeline before we start.
How long before I can use my new slab?
You can walk on it after 24 hours. Wait at least seven days before driving a normal vehicle on it, and a minimum of 28 days before putting heavy loads on it such as a full shed of equipment, a vehicle hoist, or machinery. Concrete keeps gaining strength for the first 28 days, so the longer you can wait before loading it, the better it performs long term.
Will plain concrete crack?
All concrete can develop minor cracking over time, and much of Cranbourne sits on reactive clay soil that moves with moisture. The way to prevent it is correct preparation: the right depth, proper ground preparation, adequate steel reinforcement, and well-placed control joints that give the concrete somewhere to relieve stress. Most plain slabs that crack badly were rushed at the preparation stage. We do not rush that stage, which is exactly why our slabs hold up.
Does plain concrete need to be sealed?
No, plain concrete does not need sealing to last. It will perform for decades unsealed. That said, a clear sealer on a garage or shed floor is worth considering because it helps resist oil and chemical stains and makes the surface easier to clean. It is optional, and we are happy to apply one if you would like the added protection.
Can I add colour or a finish to plain concrete later?
Colour is added to the concrete mix at the time of pouring, so a true coloured concrete finish needs to be decided before the pour, not added afterwards. There are surface treatments and coatings that can be applied to existing concrete down the track, though, so if you think you might want to upgrade the look later it is worth mentioning at the quote stage. We can talk through what your options would be.
Do you service my suburb?
We are based in Cranbourne and pour concrete across the full City of Casey including Cranbourne East, Cranbourne North, Cranbourne West, Cranbourne South, Berwick, Clyde, Clyde North, Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Hallam, Lynbrook, Lyndhurst, Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Dandenong South, Keysborough, Pearcedale, Officer, Pakenham, and Frankston. Give us a call if you are not sure and we will confirm straight away.
Where we work
Coloured CONCRETE service areas
- Cranbourne
- Cranbourne East
- Cranbourne North
- Cranbourne West
- Cranbourne
- Pakenham
- Clyde
- Clyde North
- Berwick
- Narre Warren
- Narre Warren South
- Frankston
- Hampton Park
- Hallam
- Lynbrook
- Lyndhurst
- Doveton
- Endeavour Hills
- Dandenong South
- Keysborough
- Pearcedale
- Officer