Getting Ready for Your Shed Slab Installation
A quality concrete shed slab starts long before the concrete is poured. Proper preparation ensures the job runs smoothly, stays on schedule, and delivers the best results. This checklist walks you through everything you need to do – before you call for a quote, during the planning phase, and before pour day.
Before You Call for a Quote
1. Know Your Shed Dimensions and Purpose
Have a clear idea of your shed size. Typical sizes are 3x3m, 3x4.5m, 4.5x6m, 6x6m, or 6x9m, but custom sizes are possible. Know the purpose – storage shed, workshop, garden shed, or vehicle storage – as this affects slab thickness recommendations and cost. If you're ordering a pre-made shed, you'll have exact dimensions.
2. Identify the Location on Your Property
Choose where the shed will sit. Consider drainage, access to utilities, proximity to trees, sunlight exposure, and property boundaries. Mark out roughly where the slab will be – this helps the concreter assess the site. The location choice should be finalised before the quote, as different locations have different preparation requirements and costs.
3. Check for Underground Utilities
Before any ground disturbance, confirm there are no water pipes, gas lines, electrical cables, or telecommunications lines under the proposed slab location. You can call Dial Before You Dig (1100) to mark utilities for free. This is essential to prevent costly and dangerous damage.
4. Gather Site Information
Note the current condition – is the area clear, overgrown with grass or trees, or does it have old concrete to remove? Take photos. Is the ground level or sloped? These details help the concreter give an accurate quote.
Site Preparation You Can Do Yourself
Doing preparation work saves money and speeds up the process. Here's what you can tackle:
1. Clear Vegetation
Remove grass, weeds, shrubs, and small trees from the slab area. You can do this with a weed eater, spade, or hire a small excavator if the area is heavily overgrown. The area should be bare ground or close to it. Clear at least 1 metre beyond the slab footprint to give workers space.
2. Remove Existing Concrete or Rubble
If there's old concrete, broken paving, or debris on site, remove it. This is labour-intensive and might justify hiring a contractor or small excavator. The concreter will remove it for you, but they'll charge labour – doing it yourself saves money.
3. Basic Ground Levelling
Roughly level the site using a spade or rented mini-excavator. You don't need perfection – the concreter will do final levelling – but removing large hills and filling major hollows helps. This is especially valuable if your site is very sloped or uneven.
4. Create Access for the Concrete Truck
Concrete trucks are large (typically 8–10 metres long) and need at least 3 metres of clear, relatively level access. Clear any obstacles – bins, parked cars, low-hanging branches, or debris – from the path the truck will take. If you have a narrow driveway or tight property, let the concreter know during the quote – they might need to arrange pump trucks or hand labour.
Information to Tell Your Concreter
When contacting for a quote, provide these details:
1. Exact Shed Dimensions
Width and length in metres, or the exact dimensions if you have them from a shed manufacturer. The concreter will also ask about the slab size – some prefer a slab slightly larger than the shed footprint for better drainage and weather protection.
2. Intended Use
Will the shed store tools, equipment, vehicles, or heavy machinery? This affects slab thickness. Tell them if you're planning to store a motorcycle, ride-on mower, or other heavy items.
3. Slab Location on Your Property
Your address, and describe where on the property – back corner, side of the house, etc. This lets them assess access and site conditions. A site visit is ideal and usually free for local quotes.
4. Specific Access Limitations
Mention narrow driveways, difficult gates, steep slopes, or other challenges. This affects whether the concrete truck can access the site directly or if alternate methods (pump trucks, hand labour) are needed.
5. Any Special Requirements
Special finishes, drainage needs, or unique conditions. Most standard jobs don't require anything special, but let the concreter know if your site is unusual.
Critical Access Requirement: Minimum 3 Metres Wide
Concrete trucks need clear, continuous access with at least 3 metres width. If your driveway, side access, or gate is narrower than this, inform the concreter immediately. Alternatives include:
- Pump trucks: A separate pump truck delivers concrete while the mixer parks on the street. This costs more but solves access problems.
- Wheelbarrow delivery: Concrete is delivered and hand-wheeled to the site. This is much slower and more labour-intensive, significantly increasing costs.
- Site preparation: Temporarily widen gates or access ways to accommodate the truck.
Don't assume access is possible – check your driveway width and gate openings. This is critical to the quote and planning.
Council and Permit Considerations in Queensland
Do I Need Council Approval?
Most residential sheds on concrete slabs don't require council approval if the structure and slab are within your property boundary and meet setback requirements. However, some councils require approval for:
- Sheds over a certain size (varies by council)
- Sheds in certain zones or areas
- Sheds that affect drainage or stormwater
Check with your local Brisbane council (or Logan, Ipswich, etc.) before proceeding. It's better to confirm than to discover issues later. The slab itself typically doesn't require approval – it's the building structure that might.
Timeline: What to Expect from Quote to Pour
Week 1 – Getting Quotes
- Contact 2–3 concreters for quotes
- Arrange site visits if possible
- Receive quotes and compare
Week 2 – Booking and Planning
- Accept a quote and book your date
- Finalize site preparation details
- Confirm access and any special arrangements
Week 3–4 – Site Preparation
- Complete all site clearing and prep work
- Clear access routes for the concrete truck
- Confirm the pour date 1 week in advance
Pour Day
- Concrete truck arrives (typically 7–10 AM)
- Concrete is pumped or poured onto the prepared site
- Finished by mid-afternoon (usually)
- Initial curing begins
Post-Pour
- 7 days – slab is walkable, minimal activity
- 14 days – light loads okay, can begin building shed structure
- 28 days – full strength reached, no restrictions
What Happens on Concrete Pour Day
Before the Truck Arrives
Ensure the site is clear and accessible. Remove any parked cars, bins, or obstacles from the concrete truck's path. Have water available for the concreter (a hose or tap nearby is helpful). Clear the immediate work area so they can set up.
During the Pour
The concrete truck arrives and positions itself to deliver concrete. If access allows, the truck backs up to the site. The concrete is either pumped directly or dumped into wheelbarrows and distributed across the slab area. Workers spread, level, and finish the concrete throughout the day. The process typically takes 4–8 hours depending on slab size.
After the Concrete is Poured
Keep people and pets off the slab. Don't walk on it or build on it immediately. The concrete will cure for 28 days but is generally usable after 7 days for light activity and after 14 days for building. The concreter will provide specific curing instructions based on weather conditions.
After the Pour: Curing and Next Steps
Days 1–7: Initial Curing
The concrete is hardening but not yet at full strength. Keep the area clear and protect it from heavy use. Avoid foot traffic if possible. The concrete should not be exposed to heavy rain during this period – a light mist is fine, but heavy downpours might damage the surface. In hot weather, some concreters wet the slab to slow drying and prevent cracking.
Days 7–14: Light Use Allowed
You can walk on the slab freely. Light loads are acceptable. If you're planning to build the shed, the concreter will advise if you can start now or if you should wait a bit longer. This varies by slab thickness and conditions.
Days 14–28: Normal Use and Building
The slab is strong enough for normal use and building. You can set up your shed structure. Concrete reaches full strength after 28 days, so by then, there are no restrictions.
Your Shed Slab Preparation Checklist
Planning Phase (Weeks 1–2)
- Know your shed dimensions and purpose
- Identify slab location on your property
- Check for underground utilities (Dial Before You Dig)
- Take photos of the proposed site
- Contact 2–3 concreters for quotes
- Arrange site visits if available
- Review quotes and choose a concreter
- Book your concrete pour date
Site Preparation Phase (Weeks 3–4)
- Clear vegetation and debris from slab area
- Remove existing concrete or rubble
- Rough-level the ground
- Clear access for concrete truck (3m minimum width)
- Confirm council permit requirements (if applicable)
- Confirm the pour date with the concreter 1 week in advance
Pour Day Preparation
- Remove any parked cars from truck's access path
- Clear bins and obstacles from the work area
- Have water available (hose or tap)
- Keep people and pets away during pouring
- Have shelter available if weather is a concern
Post-Pour Phase
- Keep the slab clear for 7 days (no heavy use)
- Follow curing guidelines provided by concreter
- Wait 14 days before building the shed structure
- Wait 28 days for full strength (if possible)
Important Disclaimer
This checklist provides general guidance for residential shed slab preparation. Requirements may vary based on location, local council rules, and specific site conditions.
Not a licensed builder. We specialize in small concrete jobs only – shed slabs, garage slabs, concrete footpaths, and small pads. We do not construct house slabs or provide structural engineering. Always consult with appropriate professionals for your specific project needs.
Common Questions About Shed Slab Preparation
You can do most of the clearing and prep work yourself – removing vegetation, clearing debris, rough grading, and creating access. This saves money and speeds up the process. Final levelling and precise grading should be left to the concreter, as they have tools and expertise to get the exact level and compaction needed. Talk to your concreter about what you've already done so they can focus on their specific work.
If access is too narrow (less than 3 metres), you have options: (1) temporarily widen the access, (2) use a pump truck that parks on the street and pumps concrete to the site (costs more), or (3) hand-deliver concrete by wheelbarrow (much slower and more expensive). Alert the concreter early so they can quote accordingly. Narrow access isn't a deal-breaker, but it does affect cost and timing.
The slab itself typically doesn't require approval if it's within your property boundary, but the shed structure might, depending on size and your local council's rules. Check with your Brisbane council (or relevant local council) before starting. Approval usually takes 1–2 weeks. It's better to check early than to discover you need approval after work has started.
You can technically start building after 7 days, but 14 days is recommended for most situations. The concrete is walkable and strong enough for light loads after 7 days, but reaches maximum strength after 28 days. Most concreters recommend waiting at least 14 days before attaching shed anchors or applying heavy structural loads. If you're in a hurry, discuss timing with your concreter – they'll advise based on the specific slab and conditions.
Light rain during the pour is manageable. Heavy downpours can wash away cement paste and damage the surface, so concreters avoid pouring in heavy rain or won't proceed if heavy rain is forecast. After pouring, the first 24–48 hours are critical – heavy rain during initial curing can damage the surface finish. A light mist is fine, but the concreter will protect the slab if heavy rain is expected. In Brisbane's wet season, timing pours around rainfall is important.