Christchurch's Most Experienced Concrete & Asphalt Specialists
Expertly crafted concrete patio Christchurch, driveways, foundations, and footpaths, built to last. At IPave, quality is always our foundation.
Contact I Pave Concrete & Asphalt for a free quote :
Ph: 0800 472 8348 or leave a message
Our Process
At IPave, we make concrete simple. With over 30 years of local Christchurch experience, we've refined a process that's clear, efficient, and built around your peace of mind. From first call to finished surface, you'll always know what's happening and what it will cost, no hidden surprises, just quality craftsmanship you can trust.
Enquiry
It starts with a quick call, email, or message through our website. Tell us what you're looking for: driveways, patios, paths, repairs, or commercial work and we'll guide you from there.
Site Visit & Quote
We'll visit your site, assess the job, and give you a clear, upfront quote based on our transparent pricing ($95–$180/m² depending on finish and complexity). You'll get a breakdown so you know exactly what you're paying for.
Acceptance & Scheduling
Once you're happy with the plan, we lock in a start date. With decades of experience, we pride ourselves on reliable scheduling and minimal disruption to your home or business.
Preparation
This is where quality begins. We excavate, box the site, lay and compact the base, and add reinforcing steel (when required), setting the foundation for a strong, long-lasting finish.
Pouring the Concrete
We pour, level, and shape the concrete with precision. Our team ensures accuracy and craftsmanship in every detail, whether it's a simple broom finish or a more specialised design.
Finishing Touches
From exposed aggregate to coloured concrete, stamped, or polished surfaces, we create the look and feel that suits your space. Every finish is applied with care for durability and style.
Curing & Protection
Strong concrete takes time. We allow the proper curing process to protect against cracks and ensure maximum strength.
Aftercare & Guarantee
When the job's done, we give you aftercare advice on sealing, cleaning, and maintaining your concrete, plus the reassurance of our craftsmanship guarantee. Your concrete will not only look good on day one but for years to come.
New Concrete – What to Expect
Concrete is one of the most durable building materials available, but like all natural products, it has its quirks. Knowing what to expect from new concrete will help you understand the process and enjoy the best possible results.
Curing & Strength
Concrete doesn't reach its full strength overnight. While it will harden enough to walk on within a day and often support vehicles after about a week (depending on conditions), it continues to cure and gain strength for months. In fact, it can take 3–6 months to fully harden and dry out. Over this time you'll notice it lighten in colour as moisture leaves the slab.
Surface & Finish
For safety, concrete finishes must provide skid resistance. A perfectly smooth finish may look appealing but can be slippery when wet, which is why we always balance finish with functionality. Under Concrete NZ standards, concrete finishes should be assessed from a distance of three metres.
Colour & Appearance
It's natural for fresh concrete to have colour variations, with light and dark patches. These contrasts usually even out as the concrete dries and gains strength. A more noticeable mottled effect, sometimes called "Pinto", can occur for various reasons, often linked to environmental or material factors outside of anyone's control.
Exposed Aggregate
Creating an exposed aggregate driveway is a skilled process. Because concrete is made from natural products, variation in stone distribution, size, and coverage is to be expected. Sometimes this can mean patches with less stone showing, or natural inconsistencies in the finish. These are part of the character of exposed concrete.
Expansion Cuts & Cracking
To minimise the natural shrinkage of concrete as it cures, we place expansion cuts at key points. These help control where cracking occurs. However, it's important to understand:
- All concrete will have a mottled appearance.
- All concrete will crack.
This is a normal part of the curing process and does not affect the structural integrity when properly managed.