Peak Concrete Design

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604-618-1783  or  604-807-8257

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  • Frequently Asked Questions

Answers Based on Real Concrete Projects Across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

  • Homeowner FAQs

What Homeowners Need to Know Before Starting

  • A Peak team member consults with you regarding your vision of the final product – the function of the area, colour schemes and patterns, budget, etc. – and helps design the perfect space.
  • A project time-line is established and Peak starts its preparations.
  • After a layout of the project area is established, the demolition team mobilizes.
  • The existing concrete, grass, soil and sub-base are removed.
  • We install and compact approximately 4 inches of road base or gravel for the new sub-base.
  • Next is installing the forms to the shape of your new concrete project.
  • Reinforcement, either wire mesh or rebar, is next.
  • The project is ready for concrete. This typically takes 1 day to install.
  • After the pour we allow the concrete to cure a few days before sealing or clean up begins. Landscaping is put back and the project is complete.

This really depends on the size of your patio & what type of patio finish you desire. For the Vancouver region:

  • Approximately $24 / sq ft
  • The typical patio costs around $7,000 – $10,000 CAD

This really depends on the size of your driveway & what type of driveway finish you desire. In the Vancouver region:

  • Approximately $20 / sq ft
  • The typical driveway costs around $12,000 – $20,000 CAD

It usually takes about 5 – 8 working days. Breakdown as follows:

  • Removal and preparation – 3 days
  • Concrete pour – 1 day
  • Cleanup – 1 day
  • Sealer application – 1 day (done 3 days after the pour)

Minimum 32 MPa for exterior work.

  • Patios & Walkways 3½ – 4 inches
  • Driveways 4 – 6 inches
  • Best to keep windows and doors closed to prevent any dust or powders from entering the house.
  • If you are doing a new driveway, we ask you to keep your garage door unlocked for access to the top end of the concrete.
  • Stay off of the concrete until we say it is safe to do so. This is typically 1 to 3 days.

Simple, other contractors are either:

  • a. cutting corners/omitting some products, and/or
  • b. not experienced and/or qualified for your project.

Companies with really low quotes are using inferior products and saving costs by preparing your sub-base improperly; this could give homeowners problems in the future. Peak’s prices are competitive with reputable firms in the concrete industry, since we all have equitable costs for labour and material.

  • General FAQs

Technical Details, Materials, and Best Practices for Concrete Work

Below is the concrete supply and finishing costs ONLY and does not include demolition, forming, or preparation.

Cost per square foot:

  • Smooth or Broom $9.00
  • Sponge $9.50
  • Exposed Aggregate $12.00
  • Coloured Concrete $12.00
  • Decorative Saw Cuts $13.00
  • Sandblasted $13.00
  • Textured / Stamped $14.00
  • Seeded Exposed $14.50

Note: Stairs can add extra cost of $2,000 and up.

In the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley’s wet climate, thickness and base preparation are critical for long-term durability.

  • The typical patio is 3.5 – 4 inches thick
  • On a standard residential driveway 4” thickness is the minimum
  • When the driveway is being used for pickup trucks, heavy SUVs, and larger vehicles 5-6” thickness is recommended

YES. A concrete slab’s sub-base is critical to its strength, integrity and ultimately its longevity and performance.

For Vancouver’s Lower Mainland & the Fraser Valley soil conditions, the best types of sub-base are:

  • Clear crushed rock
  • ¾ minus road base
  • Road base blend (a mixture of gravel and recycled asphalt)

In the Lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley, and surrounding area, reinforcement is recommended for driveways and load-bearing slabs. Rebar is used to:

  • Increase structural support
  • Helps control structural cracking
  • Improves concrete longevity

Components of wire mesh:

  • Cheaper
  • Controls surface shrinkage cracking
  • Best for patios and walkways

Components of rebar:

  • More expensive
  • Helps control structural cracking
  • Best for larger driveways and structural slabs

Concrete does not “dry”, it cures. Concrete curing timeline:

  • Walkable after approximately 1-2 days
  • Light traffic use after approximately 7 days
  • Fully cured approximately 28 days
  • Temperature
  • Rain exposure
  • Mix design
  • Use of accelerators

In the Lower Mainland this is a major concern. You can pour in the rain but this depends on the conditions:

  • In light rain you can pour, but the surface must be protected during finishing.
  • In heavy rain you can’t pour because it can damage the surface integrity and wash out cement paste.

Concrete is one of the most durable construction materials available. When properly installed and maintained, concrete in the Lower Mainland can last:

  • 30–40+ years for residential driveways
  • 40–50+ years for patios and walkways
  • 50+ years for properly engineered commercial slabs

Concrete should not be poured if temperatures are expected to fall below 5°C without proper cold-weather precautions. If fresh concrete freezes before it gains sufficient strength, permanent damage can occur.

  • Ready to Get Started?

Plan Your Concrete Project with Confidence

Now that you know what to expect, let’s talk about your project. If you still need help, feel free to speak directly with one of our experienced team members and get clear answers.

Contact Us for your free quote
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