Structure & Site
Concrete Estimating Services in New Zealand
Concrete volumes in m³, formwork in m² and reinforcing in tonnes, measured element by element from your structural drawings.
Concrete is ordered by the cubic metre and paid for whether it ends up in the footing or the skip. Under-order and the pour stops; over-order and you are paying for wash-out. A concrete estimate that separates every element, with its own volume, formwork and reinforcing, is the best protection against both.
We measure concrete from the structural drawings and foundation plans, element by element: strip footings, pads, slab thickenings, slabs, walls, columns, beams, stairs, upstands and external paving. Each element carries its own formwork area and reinforcing weight, so you can price labour accurately as well as materials.
We also measure the items around the concrete that drive cost: polythene underlay, insulation under slabs, damp-proof membranes, starter bars, waterstops, saw-cuts and finishes.
Scope
What we measure in a concrete takeoff
| Item | Unit | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Footings and pads | m³ | Strip, pad and thickened slab edges, by size. |
| Slabs on grade | m² / m³ | By thickness and finish, net of penetrations. |
| Walls, columns and beams | m³ | In-situ elements, with formwork per face. |
| Formwork | m² | Edge boxing, side forms and soffit forms measured separately. |
| Reinforcing | t / m² | Bars by diameter and mesh by sheet type. |
| Sub-base and underlay | m² / m³ | Compacted hardfill, sand blinding, DPM and insulation. |
| Joints and finishes | lm / m² | Saw cuts, construction joints, trowel, broom or polished finishes. |
| External concrete | m² | Driveways, paths and patios by thickness. |
Deliverables
What you receive
Concrete takeoffs include a pour schedule, grouping volumes by likely pour so you can plan truck bookings and pump hire.
| Itemised quantity sheet | Excel + PDF |
| Marked-up plans | Colour-coded PDF |
| Material and labour schedule | Excel |
| Assumptions and exclusions list |
Who it is for
Built for the people who price the work
- Builders
- Confirm slab and footing quantities before booking the concrete and pump.
- Subcontractors
- Concrete placers can price labour against formwork and finish areas, not just volume.
- Developers
- Check the foundation cost of a multi-unit site before the geotech changes the design.
- Architects
- See the concrete cost difference between a raft and a conventional slab.
Process
How a concrete estimate runs
STEP 01
Upload plans
Upload the foundation plan, structural details and any proprietary slab system documentation.
STEP 02
Scope confirmation
We confirm finishes, mesh or bar type, and whether sub-base is in the concrete scope.
STEP 03
Takeoff and review
Volumes, formwork and steel are measured per element and cross-checked against slab area ratios.
STEP 04
Delivery
You receive the quantity sheet, pour schedule, PDF and marked-up foundation plans.
New Zealand context
Standards and practice
Concrete construction in New Zealand is specified under NZS 3109, with design under NZS 3101 for engineered work. For houses, NZS 3604 provides acceptable foundation and slab details, and many residential slabs now use proprietary raft or ribbed systems with their own component lists, which we measure as drawn.
Reinforcing must comply with AS/NZS 4671. Mesh and bar grades are taken from the drawings because grade affects price. On TC2 and TC3 land in Canterbury, enhanced foundation designs are common, and we measure the specific design rather than a standard slab.
We measure and price to the drawings. Design compliance and building consent remain with your designer and building consent authority.
Cost drivers
What drives the cost of concrete work
01
Pour access
A slab that can be poured direct from the truck costs less to place than one that needs a pump or a long barrow run. We note access assumptions so placing costs can be priced correctly.
02
Formwork complexity
Straight edges are quick; curves, steps and thickenings take time. Formwork area by type is often a better guide to labour than concrete volume.
03
Finish specification
A broom finish, a steel trowel finish and a polished floor are very different jobs. We measure finishes separately so they can be priced properly.
04
Weather and programme
Cold weather, rain and long pours can add curing measures, extra labour or night work. These are not quantities, but we note them where the programme makes them likely.
Where concrete estimates go wrong
Concrete estimates are usually wrong at the edges. Thickened slab edges, rebates for cladding, steps in the slab and haunches around penetrations all add volume and formwork that a simple area times thickness calculation misses.
The other common error is ignoring the items around the concrete: underlay, insulation, starter bars, saw-cutting, curing and pump hire. We list each one so the concrete package is complete when you send it out.
FAQ
Concrete Estimating questions
Do you add a waste allowance to concrete volumes?
We show net volumes and a separate waste allowance, typically adjusted by element type. You can change it to suit your experience.
Can you measure a proprietary raft slab?
Yes. We measure the pods, ribs, edge beams, mesh and bar items specified for the system.
Do you measure formwork?
Yes. Formwork is measured in square metres by type, which lets you price labour properly.
Do you include the sub-base and DPM?
Yes, if they are shown. They are listed separately so you can include or exclude them from the concrete package.
Can you produce a pour schedule?
Yes. We group volumes into logical pours to help with truck and pump booking.
Do you estimate decorative or polished concrete?
Yes. Finish areas are measured separately so specialist finishing can be priced.
Related services
- Reinforcement and Rebar Estimating
Reinforcing steel quantities by bar diameter, shape and element, plus mesh, laps, chairs and accessories, in tonnes and counts.
- Structural Estimating
Structural quantities measured straight from the engineer's drawings and schedules, across concrete, steel and engineered timber.
- Excavation Estimating
Detailed excavation quantities for footings, basements, trenches and pits, with backfill, disposal and support measured separately.
- Masonry Estimating
Block, brick and stone quantities by unit and wall type, with grout, reinforcing, ties and lintels counted alongside.
Get a quote
Send your plans for a concrete estimate
Upload your drawings and we will reply with a fixed fee and turnaround before any work starts. No obligation.
- — PDF, DWG and ZIP accepted
- — Fees in NZD, excluding GST
- — Prefer email? Use the link in the footer