Slab and footing subcontractor for builders

Builders, project managers and developers who subcontract the concrete work.

Price per job or per square metre for labour (and sometimes materials), invoiced to the builder. Steady builder relationships can mean regular work.

• Reading plans and engineering details
• Formwork, steel fixing and pouring
• Managing a small crew and tight schedules

• Check your state's licensing body: structural concrete work often has stricter licensing than paths and driveways
• Public liability insurance, and workers compensation insurance once you hire
• Builders can pay late, so check payment terms and keep cash reserves
• Work must meet engineering plans and inspections, and mistakes can be costly to fix
• White card (construction induction) is generally needed on building sites, check requirements

Estimates put startup costs at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your formwork, steel-fixing and finishing equipment, vehicles, and whether you buy or hire larger gear.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on crew size, how steady your builder work is, and the size of the jobs. The estimate assumes about 35 or more hours a week.

Check your state's licensing body, as structural concrete work often has stricter licensing than paths and driveways. Also check public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, builder payment terms, engineering plans and inspections, and white card requirements.