If a concrete tender's ever come back wrong because a footing volume or a formwork run got missed, you know exactly what that costs. Our estimators measure every slab, footing, suspended structure and driveway against AS 3600:2018 and AS 2870:2011, so the BOQ you send out is right the first time — not the second.

Introduction to concreting estimation

Concreting is a critical trade that plays a major role in the structural integrity and overall success of Australian construction projects. It's the structural base under slabs, footings, driveways, suspended floors, retaining walls and staircases, and the cost swings hard depending on concrete grade, element type, formwork complexity, reinforcement spec and pour method. A small measurement slip doesn't stay small — it compounds fast across a project — which is exactly why the numbers need to be right on every residential, commercial and high-rise job.

Getting the numbers right at tender stage matters just as much as getting the pour right on site. A concreting takeoff turns architectural and structural drawings into a proper Bill of Quantities — concrete volume, formwork, reinforcement, finishes — measured separately by element and checked against the relevant Standards. That's the service we run: fast, accurate, standards-compliant takeoffs built for builders, subcontractors and project managers who need numbers they can actually tender, procure and control costs against.

Why accurate estimation matters

Concreting scopes live in the details. A small error in a formwork length, a reinforcement lap, or a pour volume compounds quickly across a job. Getting the takeoff right protects your business at every stage:

• Tender accuracy — you're pricing off real measured quantities, not a gut-feel allowance
• Material procurement — order the right volumes of concrete, mesh and formwork, and skip the on-site delays that come from running short
• Labour planning — put concretors, steel fixers and formwork carpenters on site against actual volume and area figures, not guesswork
• Reduced wastage — stop over-ordering readymix concrete and reinforcement
• Better profitability — protect your margin by pricing the whole scope, formwork and finishing included, not just the easy bits
• Cost control — track variations against an itemised BOQ instead of arguing over a lump-sum allowance
• Fewer disputes — when the original scope was measured properly, there's a lot less to argue about later

Scope of work

Our concreting takeoffs generally cover the full range of structural and external concrete elements, including:

• Residential slabs — waffle pod, raft, and conventional footing slabs
• Driveways and external hardstand areas
• Suspended slabs — conventional and post-tensioned
• Strip and pad footings
• Retaining walls and below-ground structures
• Columns and structural concrete walls
• Staircases and landings
• Polished, exposed aggregate, and other decorative finishes

What we measure

Every BOQ we put together separates quantities out by element and stage, so you can price and order with confidence rather than crossing your fingers. That includes:

• Concrete volume (m³), by grade (N20–N50) and pour
• Formwork area (m²) for suspended soffits, and edge formwork (LM) for slab and footing perimeters
• Reinforcement — mesh area (m²) and bar weight (kg), including bar chairs and tie wire
• Subgrade preparation, moisture barrier, and sand blinding (m²)
• Finish specification area (m²) — broom, float, exposed aggregate, polished, or sealed
• Pump hire, crane and bucket, or direct chute allowances
• Wastage allowances — typically 5–10% on concrete and 10–15% on reinforcement laps

Our quantity takeoff process

We run the same process on every job so the BOQ is accurate and easy for you to check against the drawings:

• Review the architectural and structural drawings
• Go through the engineer's specification and reinforcement schedules
• Map out the full concreting trade scope
• Measure quantities straight off the drawing set
• Split quantities out by element and level — slabs, footings, suspended structures, walls, staircases
• Apply the relevant Australian Standards to each element and pour
• Put together a detailed Bill of Quantities
• Quality-check everything against the drawings and specs
• Hand over the finished takeoff in Excel and PDF

Australian Standards we work to

Every takeoff we prepare is referenced against the current Australian Standards and the National Construction Code, including:

Standard	Scope
AS 3600:2018	Concrete structures — design, crack control, and cover requirements
AS 2870:2011	Residential slabs and footings — site classification and moisture barriers
AS 3610.1:2018	Formwork for concrete — design and construction requirements
AS/NZS 4671:2001	Steel reinforcing materials — bar and mesh specification
NCC Volume One & Two	National Construction Code — performance and deemed-to-satisfy provisions
Building & Construction General On-site Award 2020	Reference award used to benchmark concreting labour rates

What's included in our BOQ

Item	Included
Material Quantities	Yes
Labour Quantities	Yes
Volume Measurements (m³)	Yes
Area Measurements (m²)	Yes
Linear Measurements (lm)	Yes
Waste Allowance	Yes
BOQ in Excel Format	Yes
PDF Summary Report	Yes
Marked-Up Drawings	Yes

Industries we serve

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Education
• Healthcare
• Retail
• High-rise
• Government
• Infrastructure

Software we use

• Bluebeam
• PlanSwift
• AutoCAD
• Excel

Why choose us

• Estimators who actually know concreting, not generalists
• Takeoffs prepared to current Australian Standards
• Fast turnaround when you're up against a tender deadline
• Competitive, transparent pricing
• A detailed, element-by-element BOQ, not a lump sum
• Proper quality assurance on every takeoff, every time
• Tender support for builders and subcontractors
• Real experience across Australian residential, commercial and infrastructure work

Frequently asked questions

How is concreting measured?

Concrete is measured by volume in cubic metres (m³) by grade, formwork is measured in square metres for suspended soffits or linear metres for edge form, and reinforcement is measured by mesh area (m²) or bar weight (kg) — all split out by element and checked against AS 3600:2018.

Is formwork priced separately from concrete supply?

Yes. Formwork gets its own line items, separate from concrete supply and pour, because suspended soffits, edge formwork and engineered formwork systems carry very different costs and labour requirements.

Do you include reinforcement in the takeoff?

Yes, every time. Reinforcement is included in every BOQ, covering SL-series mesh and N-series bar, with quantities matched to the engineer's reinforcement schedule.

Can you estimate suspended and post-tensioned slabs?

Yes. We handle both conventional and post-tensioned suspended slabs, including formwork, PT cable allowances, and pour sequencing.

Do indicative rates vary by project type?

Yes, quite a bit. A residential waffle pod slab prices very differently to a driveway, a post-tensioned suspended slab, or a polished concrete floor — which is why every takeoff is priced against measured quantities rather than one blended rate.

Get started

Need an accurate concreting quantity takeoff for your next project? Get in touch with our estimating team for a detailed BOQ prepared to Australian Standards, or call us on 0448 504 380.