What We Do with Patio Slabs
Alfresco and Outdoor Entertaining Areas
We handle all sorts of concrete patio slabs around Bundaberg, and honestly, no two jobs are exactly the same because everyone’s got different ideas about how they want to use their outdoor space. Some folks want a simple alfresco area off the back of the house where they can set up some furniture and call it done. Others are going all out with full outdoor kitchens and BBQ setups that need a solid base to handle the weight and the heat. We pour patio slabs for covered entertaining areas, open courtyards, pool surrounds, and those side-of-house spaces that are just wasted otherwise.
Finish Options and Custom Work
You can go with a plain finish that’s clean and functional, or we can do decorative options like exposed aggregate or coloured concrete if you want something that looks a bit more special. Size-wise, we work with whatever your space allows and whatever you’re planning to do with it. The goal is always the same though – giving you a patio slab that’s level, drains properly, and stands up to everything Bundaberg weather throws at it.
Benefits of Concrete Patio Slabs
Weather Resistance That Actually Matters
One of the biggest reasons Bundaberg homeowners go with concrete for their patios is how it handles our weather. You get those scorching summer days where other materials start warping or fading, but a properly poured concrete slab just sits there doing its job. When the wet season hits and we get those heavy downpours, concrete doesn’t rot, doesn’t get slippery like timber decking can, and if it’s laid with the right fall, water runs straight off without pooling. That salt air we get being close to the coast? Concrete doesn’t care about it the way some materials do.
Low Maintenance and Long-Term Value
Here’s what people appreciate after they’ve had their patio slab for a while – there’s barely any maintenance. You’re not out there every year resealing timber or replacing rotted boards. A quick sweep and occasional hose down keeps it looking decent. And when it comes time to sell your property, a solid concrete patio adds real value because buyers can see it’s done properly and they won’t need to worry about replacing it anytime soon. The upfront cost makes sense when you realise you’re probably not touching it again for decades.
Planning Your Patio Slab
Size and Layout Considerations
When you’re planning a patio slab, the first thing to figure out is how you’re actually going to use the space. Are you setting up a dining table for six? Do you need room for a BBQ and some prep space? Maybe you want a lounge area with outdoor furniture? These aren’t just random questions – they determine how big your slab needs to be and where it should sit on your property. We’ve seen people pour slabs that looked good on paper but ended up being too small once they actually tried to use them. Or they’re positioned where they cop the afternoon sun and become unusable in summer. Getting the layout right from the start saves you from wishing you’d done it differently later.
Drainage and Ground Preparation
The other thing that matters more than most people realise is making sure water drains away from your house and doesn’t pool on the patio itself. In Bundaberg, where we can get serious rain, this isn’t optional. We slope the slab just enough that water runs off naturally without you even noticing. And before any concrete gets poured, the ground underneath needs proper prep work. Our soil around here can shift, especially if you’re anywhere near areas that flood occasionally. Skipping the base work is how you end up with cracks and uneven sections down the track.
Finish Options for Your Patio
Plain and Brushed Finishes
Not everyone wants their patio to be the star of the show, and that’s perfectly fine. A plain trowel finish gives you a smooth, clean surface that’s easy to maintain and won’t cost you extra. A lot of people go with a brushed finish instead – it’s still simple, but the light texture means you get a bit more grip when the surface is wet. Both options give you that classic concrete look without any fuss. They work well if you’re planning to cover the area with outdoor rugs or furniture, or if you just prefer something understated that does the job without drawing attention to itself.
Decorative Concrete Options
If you want your patio to look a bit more special, there’s decorative options worth considering. Exposed aggregate is popular around Bundaberg because it adds texture and visual interest while still being practical – the small stones in the finish give you great grip and hide dirt pretty well. Coloured concrete is another way to go if you want something that ties in with your house colours or landscaping. You can also look at stamped patterns if you’re after a particular look, though we’ll be honest about what works best for your situation and what’s going to hold up in our climate versus what just looks good in a brochure.
Common Questions About Patio Slabs (FAQs)
You can walk on it after about 24 hours, but we recommend waiting at least 7 days before you start putting heavy furniture or equipment on there. Full strength takes about 28 days, though you’ll be using it well before that. Just give it time to properly harden up.
For most residential patios, we’re looking at 100mm thickness. If you’re planning something heavier like an outdoor kitchen with brick work or a spa, we might go thicker. Depends on what you’re putting on there and what the ground’s like underneath.
Concrete can crack – that’s just the nature of it. But proper ground prep, control joints, and the right mix for Bundaberg conditions minimise that risk big time. Most cracks that happen are because corners were cut during prep or the pour itself. We do it properly so you don’t have to worry about it.
Technically yes, but we see a lot of DIY slabs that end up with drainage problems or aren’t level. By the time you hire or buy equipment and fix mistakes, you’re often better off getting it done right the first time. Plus our work comes with guarantees yours won’t.
Dry season is ideal – less chance of rain interrupting the pour and better curing conditions. That said, we work year-round in Bundaberg. We just plan around the weather forecast and make sure we’re not pouring when heavy rain’s coming. Sometimes wet season actually works better for scheduling because we’re less booked up.
Depends on size, thickness, and finish. A basic plain slab is going to cost less than decorative options. We give free quotes so you know exactly what you’re looking at before we start. No point guessing – let’s have a look at your space and give you a proper price.
Concrete does absorb heat, yeah. Lighter colours help reflect some of that. Most people deal with it by having shade over the patio – pergola, roof, shade sail, whatever works. Or they just use it morning and evening when it’s cooler anyway. It’s less of an issue than you’d think once you’ve got some cover over it.
Get Your Free Patio Quote
Ready to talk about your patio slab? Give us a call and we’ll come out for a free quote. We’ll have a look at your space, talk through what you’re planning, and give you a straightforward price on getting it done. No obligation, just honest advice about what’ll work best for your property and your budget.
When we come out, we’ll measure up your area, check the existing ground conditions, and ask you a few questions about how you want to use the patio. Are you covering it or leaving it open? What kind of furniture or equipment are you planning to put on there? This stuff matters when we’re working out the specifications. We’ll also point out any drainage considerations or ground prep that needs doing – better to know upfront than be surprised later.
Once we’ve got all that sorted, we’ll give you a clear quote that covers everything – materials, labour, the whole job. No hidden extras or surprise costs down the track. If you want to go ahead, we’ll lock in a timeframe that works for you and get it scheduled. Most residential patio slabs in Bundaberg take us a few days from start to finish, depending on size and whether we’re doing plain or decorative finishes.
Don’t put off creating that outdoor space you’ve been wanting. Let’s get your patio slab sorted properly.
