Find the Best Formwork Hire Near You

Formwork refers to the moulds installed on a worksite in which concrete is poured into to build a sturdy structure. The formwork remains in place until the concrete is finally set and capable of supporting itself. When formworks are not strong enough to support the poured concrete, "blowouts" may happen. In some cases, the formwork will either bend or break, allowing the poured concrete to escape before it has set and hardened. Although formwork is usually used temporarily, formworks may be permanent if needed for extra support. Temporary formworks are given a specified time to be left alone until the concrete sets. This usually happens for at least 24 hours.

Explore the different types of formwork below:

• Traditional Timber Formwork - A type of formwork generally made from timber or plywood. It is usually built on-site and easily produced. However, it has a short lifespan and making it will take more time for larger structures. This is recommended for projects with low labour costs or flexible formwork in complicated sections.
• Engineered Formwork System - The frames of this formwork are usually made from steel or aluminium while the formwork itself is built from prefabricated modules. It’s more economical because it can be reused and it is also produced more quickly than timber formworks.
• Reusable Plastic Formwork - This formwork uses lightweight and robust plastic to create an interlocking and modular formwork system. Although it has many construction industry applications, it is usually recommended for small but repetitive projects. They also do not require any formwork removing agents and can simply be cleaned with water.
• Permanent Insulated Formwork - This is an advanced formwork system that is permanently insulated. This provides additional thermal, acoustic, rodent-resistant and fire-resistant properties. It is a common type of insulating concrete form or ICF that is energy efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable.
• Stay-In-Place Formwork - This is a formwork that uses prefabricated fibre-reinforced plastic forms. It is usually assembled on-site and is shaped in hollow tubes. It is used to construct columns and piers. Also, as the name implies, it stays in place once the concrete has set. Furthermore, it acts as axial and shear reinforcement, preventing environmental damage like corrosion and freeze-thaw cycles.
• Flexible Formwork - This formwork uses lightweight but strong fabric sheets designed to complement concrete fluidity created for highly optimised and architecturally interesting building forms. Unlike the rigid forms of the above formworks, this one uses less concrete, resulting in considerable energy savings.

Here are the requirements to ensure a high-quality formwork:

• Strength - This is both a structural design and safety requirement, making it adequate in resistance anticipated forces.
• Stiffness - This ensures that the structural movement of the formwork when under load is small and predictable.
• Impact Resistance - For unfortunate cases of damaged forms, it must not generate into falling debris although unserviceable.
• Durability - Formworks are continually being reused and are stored usually out in the weather. Therefore, they must be durable enough and must have slow deterioration rates under extreme weather conditions.
• Weight - Ideally, formworks must be within the lifting ability of a form worker for both efficiency and economy.
• Accuracy - Assembling the formwork must be with only a minimum of fitting and cutting materials for economy.
• Compatibility - Basically, your chosen type of formwork materials must be compatible with either the fluid or hardened concrete.
• Insulation - Formworks must have good insulation since they will be set in areas where extreme heat or cold may present problems.

Check out the average hourly formwork hire rates below. Keep in mind that these formwork hire rates are just average costs and subject to change depending on the work, materials, and project location.

• $20.00 for a labourer
• $24.00 for a construction labourer
• $33.75 for a concrete foreman
• $35.00 for a concrete contractor

iseekplant offers quality formwork hire in all capital cities in Australia from Brisbane to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne to Darwin, Perth and Adelaide. We also offer formwork hire contractors in all major towns and cities from Cairns down to Townsville, Mackay, Gold Coast, Central Coast and Hobart.

For all your concrete formwork hire needs, you can use iseekplant's get a quote tool to look for formwork suppliers in your area. Search our marketplace for what you need or give us a call on 1300 691 912. You can also reach us via email at projects@iseekplant.com.au.