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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Concrete Finisher

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ConstructionSkilled TradesConcrete

🎯 Role Definition

A Concrete Finisher is a skilled construction tradesperson responsible for shaping, finishing, and curing poured concrete to meet design specifications, quality standards, and safety regulations. This role covers a wide range of concrete work including flatwork (slabs, sidewalks, driveways), formed walls, curbs, stairs, decorative finishes (stamped, colored, polished), and repairs. A successful Concrete Finisher combines blueprint and grade-reading ability, proficiency with hand and power finishing tools, and a strong understanding of concrete mix behavior, curing processes, and joint placement to deliver durable, code-compliant results on time and within budget.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Laborer or general construction helper with on-site concrete exposure
  • Carpentry or formwork apprentice transitioning to concrete finishing
  • Masonry assistant or paving crew member

Advancement To:

  • Lead Concrete Finisher / Foreman
  • Superintendent or Project Supervisor (flatwork/concrete specialty)
  • Concrete Estimator or Project Manager (concrete-focused)
  • Specialty Finisher: decorative concrete specialist, polishing technician

Lateral Moves:

  • Form Setter or Carpenter (formwork specialization)
  • Rebar Fabricator / Steel Fixer (reinforcement specialist)
  • Concrete Repair Technician / Restoration Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Read and interpret blueprints, site plans, grade stakes, and layout drawings to determine location, alignment, slope, and measurements for concrete pours; verify elevations using laser levels and string lines to ensure grade and tolerance compliance.
  • Set, assemble and strike accurate formwork (wood, metal, or insulated forms) for slabs, walls, curbs, steps, and ramps; ensure forms are plumb, square, adequately braced and jointed to resist concrete pressure.
  • Place and secure reinforcement (rebar, wire mesh, fiber reinforcements) to specified spacing and cover using chairs, supports, and tie wire in accordance with structural and code requirements.
  • Coordinate concrete delivery and placement logistics, including ordering volumes, sequencing pumps/trucks, and staging crews to maintain continuous placement and minimize cold joints.
  • Operate concrete pumps, boom pumps, and conveyors to place concrete at required locations; manage hose placement, vibrators, and rodding to consolidate concrete and remove air pockets.
  • Screed, strike-off and level concrete to specified tolerances using manual and mechanical screeds, laser/flatbed screeds and vibrating screeds to produce uniformly flat surfaces.
  • Float and finish concrete surfaces using bull floats, darbies, magnesium floats and hand trowels to achieve the specified surface texture (smooth, broom, salt finish, exposed aggregate).
  • Operate power trowels and ride-on trowels safely to produce smooth, dense concrete surfaces on large slabs; manage RPM, blade pitch and curing timing for optimal results.
  • Construct control and expansion joints using hand tools and mechanical saws; strategically place contraction joints and keyway details to control cracking per design and climatic considerations.
  • Cut saw joints at specified times and depths using walk-behind or handheld concrete saws to form control joints and to meet ADA and structural specifications.
  • Apply specialty surface finishes (stamped, stained, colored, salt-finish, exposed aggregate, polished) including template setup, stamping procedures, chemical hardener application, and polishing passes for decorative and architectural projects.
  • Conduct finishing for vertical and formed elements, including trowel, bond, and float techniques for formed walls and precast edges; ensure sharp edges and specified radii are achieved.
  • Monitor and manage slump, temperature, set times, and admixture performance in collaboration with batch plants or on-site mixing; communicate issues, request mix adjustments, and document field test results.
  • Implement curing methods (water curing, curing compounds, wet coverings, blankets, heating in cold weather) to ensure proper strength development and minimize surface defects and cracking.
  • Perform patching, surface repairs, joint repairs, and remediation using epoxy, polymer-modified mortars, and patching compounds; grind and profile surfaces for overlays or sealers.
  • Set grade, slope and channeling for ADA-compliant ramps, drainage swales and runoffs; ensure gutters, sumps, and catch basins interface correctly with finished concrete surfaces.
  • Maintain quality control by performing and documenting on-site concrete tests (cylinder/cube sampling, slump test, air content tests) in coordination with QA/QC technicians and inspectors.
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA, local building codes, and site-specific safety plans: maintain PPE, fall protection, hazard communication, and coordinate with site safety personnel.
  • Train, mentor and supervise junior finishers, apprentices and laborers in finishing techniques, tool use, and safety practices; schedule crews to meet milestones and maintain productivity.
  • Collaborate with general contractors, concrete suppliers, engineers and inspectors to resolve field changes, confirm tolerances, and implement corrective actions to meet contract specifications.
  • Maintain site cleanliness and protect finished areas using barriers, signage and temporary protection systems; coordinate with other trades to prevent damage during curing periods.
  • Install and finish concrete overlays, toppings and repair systems; prepare substrates by shot blasting, grinding and cleaning to achieve bonding profiles specified by manufacturer.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain hand and power tools, repair or request replacements, and log tool inventory to ensure equipment readiness and minimize downtime.
  • Assist project managers and estimators by providing material take-offs, labor-hours estimates, and input on sequencing for bid preparation and planning.
  • Keep accurate daily reports of work performed, materials used, environmental conditions, and crew attendance; submit documentation for payroll and compliance.
  • Coordinate delivery schedules and material staging with site logistics to reduce wait times and optimize pump/truck utilization.
  • Support quality audits by preparing mock-ups, sample panels, and demonstration finishes for owner approval and architectural sign-off.
  • Participate in pre-construction planning meetings and pre-pour checklists to identify site constraints, access issues and sequencing conflicts.
  • Adhere to environmental best practices for waste management, concrete washout containment and spill prevention to meet site and regulatory requirements.
  • Provide on-the-job mentorship by instructing apprentices in form setting, finishing technique, safe tool usage and proper material handling.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient in concrete finishing techniques: screeding, floating, troweling, edging, jointing, and texturing (broom, salt, exposed aggregate).
  • Experienced operating power finishing equipment: walk-behind and ride-on power trowels, vibratory screeds, laser screeds, concrete pumps and saws.
  • Blueprint reading and layout: ability to interpret plans, sections, details, dimensions, slopes, and elevations using laser levels, transit and grade rods.
  • Formwork and carpentry basics: setting and bracing wood and metal forms, stripping forms without damaging concrete, and installing chamfers and keyways.
  • Reinforcement placement knowledge: correct placement and spacing of rebar, wire mesh, fiber reinforcement, and use of chairs and supports.
  • Concrete mix awareness: understand slump, air content, admixtures, set retarders/accelerators, and how temperature affects placement and finishing.
  • Joint installation and sawcut timing: design and execute control/expansion joints to minimize cracking and conform to specifications.
  • Surface repair and remediation: patching, crack injection, polishing, overlay installation, and troubleshooting surface defects (scaling, crazing, dusting).
  • Decorative concrete techniques: stamping, staining, polishing, coloring, and aggregate exposure.
  • Field QA/QC and testing: slump tests, air tests, cylinder casting, and recording test data in compliance with standards.
  • Concrete pumping and placement coordination: staging, hose management, and vibration procedures to achieve consolidation.
  • Safety certifications and compliance: OSHA 10/30 (preferred), fall protection, confined space awareness, and site-specific safety protocols.
  • Tool maintenance and basic equipment troubleshooting: keeping mixers, saws, trowels and pumps in safe working order.
  • Basic math and measurement: calculating volumes, coverage, slope percentages, and material quantities.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail to achieve specified tolerances and high-quality finishes.
  • Effective communication and teamwork across trades, foremen, and site stakeholders.
  • Time management and productivity focus to meet pour windows and project schedules.
  • Problem-solving under field conditions to adapt sequencing, mixes or finishing approaches when conditions change.
  • Leadership and mentorship ability to train apprentices and lead small finishing crews.
  • Physical stamina and dexterity for extended standing, lifting and precise handwork in varied weather conditions.
  • Reliability, punctuality and accountability for maintaining project timelines and documentation.
  • Customer-focused mindset when finishing architecturally exposed or decorative concrete.
  • Safety-first attitude with ability to coach crew on safe tool and equipment use.
  • Flexibility to work nights, weekends, or overtime during critical pours or weather windows.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; equivalent hands-on experience in concrete finishing accepted.

Preferred Education:

  • Completion of a construction trades program, concrete finisher apprenticeship, or certificate in concrete technology.
  • OSHA 10/30 or other recognized safety certifications; vocational training in construction management or concrete technology is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Technology
  • Masonry / Concrete Trades
  • Civil Engineering Technology
  • Carpentry/Formwork

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–7 years of progressive experience as a Concrete Finisher or in a related concrete trades role.

Preferred:

  • 3–5+ years of hands-on finishing with proven experience on commercial flatwork, industrial slabs, decorative concrete, and formed concrete projects.
  • Experience supervising a finishing crew, coordinating pours, and performing QA/QC documentation.
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