How long does it take to install a garage or shed pad?

For a typical residential pad, the active work is 1 to 2 days. Allow 7 days before erecting a heavy structure on it, and 28 days for full strength.

How much does a garage or shed pad cost in Perth?

Garage and shed pad pricing in Perth typically ranges from $95 to $160 per square metre, depending on size, reinforcement requirements, finish and any associated work. Smaller pads often have a minimum job charge. Workshop slabs with heavy reinforcement requirements sit at the upper end. Pricing is indicative and subject to change based on material costs, project specifications and site conditions.

How thick should a garage or shed pad be?

Standard residential garage and shed pads are typically 100mm thick with appropriate reinforcement. Workshop slabs with heavier loading may need to be 125 to 150mm and may require additional reinforcement. We always pour to engineer's specifications where provided.

Can you pour a pad before the shed is delivered?

Yes — and that's the typical sequence. The pad needs to be poured, cured and ready before the shed installer arrives. We coordinate timing with your shed supplier so everything sequences correctly.

Do garage and shed pads need council approval?

Pads attached to a habitable building such as the garage of a new home are usually covered under the home's building approval. Standalone shed pads may or may not need approval depending on size, height and proximity to boundaries — local council rules vary across Perth. It is worth checking with your local council before construction.

Hairline cracking is normal for any concrete slab. We control it through proper reinforcement, joint placement and curing. Major structural cracking is rare with a properly installed pad.

Can I have a polished concrete garage floor?

Yes — polished concrete and honed concrete garage floors are increasingly popular for high-end builds and homeowners who want their garage to look as good as the rest of the home. We pour the slab and polish or hone on site.

YOUR LOCAL CONCRETING PARTNER

Outdoor Living & House Surrounds Perth

Perth lives outdoors. The alfresco, the patio, the courtyard, the bit of paved area between the back door and the pool — these are the spaces a home actually gets used in for nine months of the year. Getting the concrete right makes the difference between an outdoor area you use every weekend and one that becomes a maintenance headache. At Colacrete we pour outdoor living concrete across Perth, in every finish from grey through to high-gloss polished.

What we cover

Alfresco areas — undercover or pergola-covered outdoor entertaining

Patios — open-air paved entertaining areas, often connected to the home

Courtyards — internal or side-of-home outdoor areas

Terraces — for sloped sites, often integrated with retaining walls

House surrounds — the concrete around the perimeter of the home connecting paths, gates and outdoor areas

Indoor-outdoor flow surfaces — concrete that runs continuously from inside to outside

OUR OUTDOOR LIVING PROCESS

SCROLL RIGHT TO DISCOVER THE PROCESS
SITE VISIT AND MEASURE

We talk through how the space will be used, what finishes you’re considering, and how the concrete connects to other surfaces (home, pool, garden).
We visit site and take measurements, or we quote from measurements. This is where we confirm dimensions and specifications.
SITE PREPARATION

Excavation and base prep. Remove existing surface, level, compact.
Formwork. Box the perimeter, set falls correctly.
Reinforcement. Mesh laid where required.
POURING THE CONCRETE

Concrete delivered by our concrete suppliers, poured by us, and screeded and finished according to the chosen surface (such as exposed aggregate, honed, polished etc).
SEALING THE CONCRETE

Concrete is cured and depending on the finish selected, we seal the concrete.

Finish options

The choice of finish is largely about how the space looks and feels. Common selections:

Honed concrete — premium matte finish, sophisticated, low-maintenance, slip-resistant for wet areas

Polished concrete — high-gloss, premium, especially good in undercover alfrescos and where indoor-outdoor flow continues from a polished interior

Exposed aggregate — textured, decorative, slip-resistant, traditional and modern both

Liquid limestone — limestone-cream, naturally cooler underfoot, suits coastal and Hamptons-style homes

Standard grey or coloured concrete — affordable, durable, fine where the concrete isn’t the design statement

Why outdoor living concrete is different

Climate exposure. Outdoor concrete deals with UV, rain, temperature swings and heat. Sealing matters more than for indoor concrete.

Drainage. Falls need to direct water away from the home and into garden beds or drainage points. Standing water destroys both the concrete and what’s underneath it.

Slip resistance. When wet, outdoor surfaces need grip. Polished surfaces work in undercover alfrescos but generally not in open patios. Honed and exposed aggregate are the safer outdoor choices.

Heat reflection. Lighter-coloured finishes stay cooler underfoot in Perth summers. Worth considering for areas where you’ll be barefoot.

Integration. Outdoor concrete usually meets other surfaces — the home’s tiles, decking, pool surrounds, gardens, retaining walls. Edges, transitions and matched falls between these surfaces need to be planned upfront.

FAQ

Honed concrete is the most popular premium choice for alfrescos — sophisticated, slip-resistant, easy to maintain. Polished concrete works well for fully covered alfrescos. Exposed aggregate suits more traditional or family-oriented spaces. We’ll talk through what suits your home’s architecture and how you’ll use the space.
Yes — indoor-outdoor flow with a continuous concrete surface is a popular contemporary design choice. The concrete is poured as one continuous slab (or two carefully matched pours) and finished consistently across the threshold. This is most often done with polished or honed finishes.
Outdoor living area pricing in Perth varies by finish: standard grey concrete sits at the affordable end ($85 to $130 per square metre), exposed aggregate and liquid limestone in the mid range ($110 to $200 per square metre), and honed and polished concrete at the premium end ($140 to $300+ per square metre).* Total project cost depends on area size, site access, finish choice and any associated work like steps or integrated retaining.
For a precise quote, get in touch.
*Pricing is indicative and subject to change based on material costs, project specifications and site conditions.
Typical residential alfresco or patio: 2–4 days of active work. Larger or more complex areas with integrated steps or retaining can take longer. Allow 7 days before regular use and 28 days for full strength.
Standard grey concrete doesn’t fade. Coloured concrete can fade slightly over many years of intense UV but the change is typically subtle. Decorative aggregates (in exposed aggregate and liquid limestone) are UV-stable and won’t significantly fade. Sealing helps protect colour over time.
Decorative outdoor concrete (exposed aggregate, honed, polished, liquid limestone) typically needs resealing every 3–5 years to maintain colour and stain protection. Standard grey concrete with no sealer doesn’t strictly require resealing but performs better long-term if sealed.
Yes — alfresco and outdoor living areas frequently connect to pool surrounds. We design the connection so falls, finishes and edges flow correctly between the two areas. It’s often more efficient and visually consistent to do both at once.

Why work with COLACRETE?

We’re a Perth-based concreting business with a family lineage in the trade going back to the 1990s, owner-operated by Eddie Colakovic. HIA, MBA and CIA member. We pour outdoor living concrete across the Perth metro area — north, south, coast and hills.

You might also be interested in our concrete pool surrounds page (often combined with alfresco work), our honed concrete page, or our wider range of Perth concreting services.

Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free outdoor living quote. We’ll respond within 24 to 48 hours.

Get In Touch

If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 24 - 48 hours. Alternatively, get in touch on the details below.

hello@colacrete.com.au