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  • Floors & finishes

Floor Screeding in South Africa: Free Quotes from Local Contractors

Need a floor screed laid? Tell us about the job and independent South African screeding contractors will send a free quote. No fee, no obligation.

  • Quotes fromscreeding contractors
  • Areaall nine provinces
  • Cost to youfree

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Two screeders pulling a long straightedge across a fresh sand and cement screed in a new house, with screed rails on the slab
Two screeders pulling a long straightedge across a fresh sand and cement screed in a new house, with screed rails on the slab

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Tell us what you need and where. A contractor or supplier who works in your area quotes you directly. Free, no obligation.

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Length and width in metres, thickness in millimetres. Add a row for each slab, footing or path. The totals go into your request.

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Order about 5–10% more than the net volume to allow for waste and uneven ground.

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A floor screed is a thin layer of sand and cement, or a pourable levelling compound, laid over a slab to give a flat, smooth surface for tiles, vinyl, timber or carpet. ConcreteSlab.co.za is a free quote service. You fill in one form and we pass your request to independent screeding contractors and builders in your area, who quote you directly. We do not mix or lay screed ourselves. There is no fee and no obligation.

What a floor screed does

A concrete slab is rarely flat enough for a finished floor. Screeding fixes this. It evens out high and low spots, gives a smooth, hard surface, and sets the final floor level so that doors and thresholds line up.

Screed is also used to lay a fall toward a drain in a bathroom, balcony or garage, and to cover pipes or underfloor heating. It is usually a mix of building sand and cement, such as CEM II 42.5N to SANS 50197-1, mixed on site or delivered as a ready-mixed product.

Types of screed

The right type depends on the floor covering and the thickness you need.

  • Bonded screed: laid on a prepared, clean slab so it grips. Usually 25 to 40 mm.
  • Unbonded or floating screed: laid over a membrane or insulation. Usually 50 mm or more.
  • Self-levelling screed: a pourable compound that finds its own level. It suits thin layers over a sound base before vinyl or timber.
  • Fibre-reinforced screed: fibres help control shrinkage cracks.

Thin sand and cement screeds need good mixing, compaction and curing. A weak or dry mix will dust and crumble.

Preparation, drying and common problems

Most screed failures come from poor preparation. The slab must be clean, free of oil and laitance, and sound. For a bonded screed, a bonding agent or slurry coat is normally applied first.

  • Curing: keep the screed damp and covered for the first days. Fast drying in hot, dry weather causes cracks and curling.
  • Drying time: allow it to dry before laying vinyl, timber or glue-down finishes. Ask your contractor for a moisture check.
  • Hollow spots: tap the surface. A hollow sound means poor bond.
  • Cold mornings: on the Highveld, frost can damage a fresh screed.

What affects your quote

People often search for the screeding price per square metre, but we never give prices here. Contractors will look at:

  • The floor area and the thickness needed.
  • The type: sand and cement, fibre-reinforced or self-levelling.
  • The state of the slab and how much preparation it needs.
  • Falls, steps or levels that must be set out.
  • Access for materials, upstairs work, and travel distance.

Say what floor covering will go on top, because that decides how flat and how dry the screed must be.

Comparing quotes for floor screeding

The lowest figure is not always the best deal. When your quotes arrive, check:

  • Specification: the thickness, the concrete strength in MPa, the steel and the membrane, so every quote is for the same work.
  • Preparation: excavation, sub-base compaction, shuttering and who removes spoil and rubble.
  • Concrete and access: ready-mix or site-mixed, whether a pump is included and any part-load or waiting charges.
  • Finish, curing and guarantee: the surface finish, how long it will be cured, where joints are cut and what guarantee covers the work.

What to include in your request

  • Give the floor area in square metres and the rooms involved.
  • State the thickness needed, or the high and low spots.
  • Say what floor covering will go on top.
  • Mention falls, drains, underfloor heating or steps.
  • Add your town, floor level and access for materials.

Frequently asked questions

Does ConcreteSlab.co.za lay floor screed?
No. ConcreteSlab.co.za is a free quote service. You send one request and we pass it to independent screeding contractors and builders near you. They contact you directly with a quote. We do not mix or lay screed, and there is no obligation.
What is the difference between screed and concrete?
Concrete contains stone and forms the structural slab. Screed is usually just sand and cement, laid in a thin layer on top to level and smooth the surface. Screed is not structural and should not be used to repair a weak or badly cast slab.
How long must a screed dry before tiling?
It depends on thickness, weather and the mix. Tiles can often go on sooner than timber or vinyl, which need a drier base. Do not rush it. Ask your screeding contractor and your tiler to agree on a moisture check before the floor covering goes down.
How do I find floor screeding near me?
Tell us your town, the floor area and the finish going on top, and screeding contractors who serve your area will reply. Ask about thickness, bonding, curing and how they check the level. Compare what each quote includes, not only the total.

Floor Screeding by province

Floor Screeding by city and town

SurfaceFloors & finishes
SlabSlabs & foundations
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