Not every concreting project has the luxury of straightforward truck access. On the Gold Coast, many properties have narrow side access, steep driveways, rear yards surrounded by fencing and landscaping, or elevated building platforms that make it impossible for a concrete truck to pour directly into the formwork. That is where concrete pumping comes in. Concreters Gold Coast provides pumping services that deliver concrete precisely where it needs to go, regardless of access constraints, keeping your project on schedule and your pour quality high.
What We Offer
Concrete pumping uses specialised equipment to move liquid concrete from the delivery truck to the pour location through a pipeline or boom arm. We offer pumping solutions for a range of project types:
- Line pumping — A trailer-mounted pump pushes concrete through steel and rubber pipelines that can be routed through narrow side access, around corners, and over obstacles. Line pumps are the most common solution for residential pours on the Gold Coast, handling distances of up to 150 metres and heights of up to 30 metres. They are ideal for backyard concrete slabs, pool surrounds, driveways behind fences, and garage floors with limited truck access.
- Boom pumping — A truck-mounted pump with an articulated boom arm that reaches over buildings, fences, and obstacles to deliver concrete from above. Boom pumps are used for larger residential pours, elevated slabs, multi-storey construction, and commercial projects where high volume and fast placement are required.
- Restricted access solutions — For properties with particularly tight access — narrow laneways, gated entries, or driveways too steep for standard pump trucks — we use compact line pumps and extended pipeline setups to reach the pour location safely and efficiently.
When Is Pumping Required?
Concrete pumping is typically needed when:
- The concrete truck cannot park within chute distance (approximately 3-4 metres) of the pour area
- The pour location is behind the house, below street level, or on a different level to the truck
- The driveway or access is too narrow, steep, or fragile for a heavy concrete truck
- The pour volume or timing requires faster placement than wheelbarrows or chute extension can achieve
- The project involves elevated formwork or hard-to-reach structural elements
On the Gold Coast, restricted rear-yard access is extremely common in established suburbs like Southport, Broadbeach, and Burleigh Heads, where houses sit on narrow blocks with fenced sides. Pumping is often the only practical option for these properties.
Our Process
- Access assessment — During the initial site visit for your concreting project, we assess access for the concrete truck and determine whether pumping is required. We measure access widths, check overhead clearances, and identify the best setup location for the pump.
- Pump type selection — Based on the access conditions, pour volume, and distance to the formwork, we select the appropriate pump type (line pump or boom pump) and plan the pipeline route.
- Scheduling and coordination — Pumping requires precise coordination between the pump operator, the concrete truck deliveries, and the pouring crew. We schedule the pump to arrive and set up before the first truck, ensuring there is no waiting time that could compromise the concrete.
- Setup — The pump is positioned and the pipeline is routed from the pump to the pour location. For line pumps, this involves connecting steel and rubber pipe sections along the access route. For boom pumps, the outriggers are deployed and the boom is positioned.
- Pumping and placement — Concrete is pumped from the truck through the pipeline into the formwork. Our crew guides the hose end to place the concrete evenly across the pour area. The pump operator adjusts flow rate and pressure to match the crew’s pace.
- Washout and clean-up — After the pour is complete, the pipeline is flushed clean with water. We clean up the pump setup area and ensure no concrete residue is left on the property.
Why Choose Us for Concrete Pumping
Concrete pumping is a time-critical operation. If the pump is late, the concrete trucks queue up and the mix starts setting. If the pump breaks down mid-pour, you risk cold joints and an incomplete slab. We coordinate pumping as part of the overall pour — not as an afterthought — so that the pump, trucks, and crew all work together seamlessly.
Our team at Concreters Gold Coast has completed hundreds of pours across the region, and we know which properties will need pumping before we even visit the site. This experience means we plan for access challenges early, select the right pump type, and schedule the pour to run smoothly from first truck to final trowel.
We also understand the Gold Coast City Council requirements around pump truck placement on streets and verges, noise restrictions for residential areas, and the need to protect driveways and landscaping from heavy equipment. We take care of these logistics so you do not have to.
Pricing Guide
Concrete pumping costs on the Gold Coast are typically charged as a flat fee based on the pump type, minimum volume, and distance:
- Line pumping generally starts from around $600 to $900 for a standard residential pour (up to approximately 10 cubic metres), with additional per-cubic-metre charges for larger volumes. For a full breakdown of slab project costs including pumping, see our concrete slab cost guide.
- Boom pumping starts from approximately $1,200 to $1,800 depending on the boom size and volume, suited to larger pours and projects requiring overhead reach.
Pumping costs are included in our project quotes when we know pumping will be required. We do not add surprise pump charges after quoting — if we identify the need for a pump during the site assessment, it is reflected in your quote from the start.
For a clear price on your project, including any pumping requirements, contact us for a free on-site assessment.
