Find the Best Concrete Formwork Services Near You

Concrete formwork is the mould or frame used to hold wet concrete in place until it fully sets or cures. There are two main types of concrete formwork - temporary formwork and permanent formwork.

Temporary formwork is reusable and removable from the concrete that has fully set and cured. This type of concrete formwork is usually made from easy to produce materials such as timber, steel, plywood or plastic.

On the other hand, permanent formwork, as the name suggests, is permanent and never removed from concrete that has fully set and cured. For instance, insulated concrete forms (ICF) is generally made from a foam material such as expanded polystyrene. The middle section is hollow where the concrete is usually poured, and the combination of the foam material and concrete masonry offers the best thermal insulation for a structure.

Different concrete formworks are needed for different types of structures. Concrete formwork is commonly used for concrete foundations, slabs, flooring, beams, walls and other concrete structures. Concrete formwork is usually designed, assembled and placed before the concrete is poured.

Below are the types of concrete formwork used for residential purposes:

• Wall and column formwork. Wall and column formwork is usually made of metal. It is commonly used for the construction of concrete walls, pillars, some foundations, footings and abutments. This formwork is usually shaped like a simple rectangular concrete boxing, but it can also be shaped into circular formworks and other unique shapes for columns and architectural features.
• Slab formwork. Slab formwork is usually constructed of steel or aluminium. This formwork can be formed for concrete slabs of any size or thickness. Other flat forms include beams, column heads and infillings.
• Timber beams and plywood. As mentioned above, these materials are usually used to build temporary formworks. Although these are cheaper options compared to metal formwork, these formworks are also weaker even when the load capacity is reduced. However, wooden formwork is still an ideal option for supporting horizontal concrete form for slabs and foundations.
• Props and shoring systems. These are steel and aluminium formworks that have a high load capacity, making them suitable to support overhead concrete and larger structures at heights. This type of formwork is usually paired with falsework.

It is recommended that you leave the formwork on the concrete for 24 hours. After that, you can carefully remove it from the fully set and cured concrete. Also, remember to avoid putting heavy loads on the concrete for at least seven days.

You may have noticed that in the construction industry, the formwork and shuttering terms are used interchangeably. Although, shuttering is a derivative of formwork as a temporary vertical structure built to form concrete in a desired shape. Therefore, you can say that shuttering is actually formwork that supports columns, footings and retaining walls. It may also be important to distinguish that formwork is the term used to describe the forming process. While shuttering is the temporary mould responsible for holding wet concrete in place until it fully sets and cures.

Finding a leading concrete formwork contractor through iseekplant is an easy and hassle-free process. iseekplant has a nationwide network of quality concrete formwork suppliers operating in all Australian capital cities from Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne to Darwin, Perth and Adelaide. We also offer concrete formwork in all major towns and cities from Cairns down to the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Geelong and Hobart.

With iseekplant’s get a quote tool, you can easily find a concrete formwork contractor in your area with affordable rates. You can simply give us a call on 1300 691 912 or email us at projects@iseekplant.com.au.

Steel or aluminium or magnesium is the most widely used metals. Steel can also be used as formwork material. It is very costly but it can be used for more times than others. They provide an excellent finish to the concrete surfaces.

All formwork, whether steel roadform or timber shuttering, needs to be coated with a release agent (mould oil) before any concrete is placed. The purpose of a Release Agent is to prevent the concrete bonding to the formwork and then 'scabbing' when the formwork is removed.

Formwork and shuttering are both common terms in the concrete construction industry. Sometimes, these terms are used interchangeably. Formwork is the overarching term that's used to describe the forming process.

Formwork shall be rigid, watertight, braced and tied together to confine freshly placed concrete and maintain position and shape during construction, and shall be constructed in such a way that it can be removed without damage to the concrete.

Timber. Because it is inexpensive and easy to procure, timber is commonly used to create formwork frames. It is also flexible and can be assembled on-site. Timber is suitable for small projects and the construction of complete concrete sections that require flexibility.

The formula to calculate the concrete pressure on formwork is P= (hC) / A, where P = pressure in kN/m2, h = height of the concrete in meters, C = unit weight of concrete in kN/m3, and A = contact area of formwork in m2.

Yes, formwork can be hired for DIY projects, provided the work is small-scale and safety requirements are followed. Hiring formwork is a cost-effective option for homeowners or renovators undertaking tasks such as small slabs, footings, columns, or retaining walls without purchasing equipment outright.

However, DIY users should ensure the formwork system is suitable for their skill level and project scope. Many hire suppliers offer simple, modular systems that are easier to assemble and dismantle, along with basic guidance on setup and safe use.

Things to Consider for DIY Formwork Hire

• Project size: Best suited to small residential or non-structural works
• Ease of use: Modular or lightweight systems are more DIY-friendly
• Safety: Proper bracing, alignment, and load support are essential
• Advice: Supplier instructions or professional guidance can help avoid errors

For larger or structural pours, engaging a qualified contractor or engineer is recommended to ensure compliance and safety.

Formwork removal timing depends on the type of concrete, weather conditions, and the structural element being poured. Concrete needs sufficient time to gain strength before formwork is stripped to avoid cracking, deformation, or collapse.

In most construction projects, formwork for vertical elements such as walls and columns can typically be removed after 24–48 hours, once the concrete has hardened enough to hold its shape. Soffit and load-bearing formwork (such as slabs and beams) usually needs to remain in place for 7–14 days or longer, depending on span and loading.

Typical Formwork Removal Timeframes

• Walls & columns: 24–48 hours
• Slab edges: 2–3 days
• Slabs & beams (props in place): 7–14+ days
• Full structural strength: ~28 days

Always follow the project engineer’s specifications and curing requirements, as premature removal can compromise structural safety.