Concrete Finisher Jobs in the United Kingdom

Pay & hours (gross)

UK concrete finishing pay varies by region, project type (floors, civils, residential), access requirements and whether the contract is PAYE or another arrangement. Use the figures below as an indicative benchmark for planning and comparison.

What a strong shift looks like

Concrete work is won or lost in preparation and timing. Employers value finishers who keep pace without sacrificing quality at edges, joints and transitions.

1. Pre-start: confirm pour sequence, access routes, tools, PPE and hazard controls.
2. During placement: help maintain levels, watch for segregation and surface issues early.
3. Finishing window: float/trowel in the correct timing; keep edges/joints clean and consistent.
4. Quality pass: identify lows/highs, fix marks, protect finished areas and hand over clearly.

Common tools

Hand trowels, floats, edging tools, straight edges, bull floats, power trowel (site dependent), laser/levels.

Common finishes

Trowel finish, float finish, broom finish; treatment of joints, edges, upstands and thresholds.

Typical risk points

Slip/trip hazards, rotating equipment, silica exposure control, wet concrete contact, manual handling.

Key responsibilities

• Produce consistent finishes on slabs, edges and transitions to the required site standard.
• Work within the timing window: adjust technique as the concrete changes during set.
• Coordinate with the placing team, pump crew and supervisor to protect sequence and access.
• Keep the work area tidy, protect finished surfaces and report defects early (before handover).
• Follow UK site safety procedures: inductions, PPE, exclusion zones, equipment checks.

Requirements (detailed)

• CV in English (mandatory): include sites/projects, tools used (hand/power), finish types, and measurable responsibilities.
• Concrete finishing competency: floats/trowels, edges and joints; ability to maintain quality under schedule pressure.
• Site communication: English sufficient for safety briefings, permits, and daily coordination.
• Compliance readiness: UK sites may require access credentials (commonly CSCS or an equivalent route set by the employer/site).
• Shift readiness: early starts and variable hours during pours; ability to stay productive in changing weather/site conditions.

Quality & self-check

Strong finishers self-check continuously. Employers value people who spot a developing issue early—before it becomes a remedial job.

• Edges straight, consistent and not overworked.
• Joints clean with correct finishing around dowels/channels (site dependent).
• No unnecessary trowel burns; avoid surface tearing from timing errors.
• Finished areas protected from traffic, contamination and weather damage.

Note: Standards vary by project; the employer/supervisor sets acceptance criteria and inspection approach.

Short candidate portrait

This role suits finishers who are calm under time pressure and disciplined about safety and sequencing.

• Hands-on finisher: you can deliver a consistent finish across a slab, not only “touch-up” work.
• Timing awareness: you understand when to float vs. when to trowel—and you do not fight the set.
• Site reliability: early starts, steady pace, tidy handover, respect for exclusion zones.
• Quality mindset: you self-check edges/joints and protect finished work.
• English for safety: you can follow briefings and raise issues clearly.

Role story (unique module)

A good concrete finisher is often the last person who can still “save” the slab. When placement is fast and site conditions change, the finisher’s judgement becomes the quality control: timing, pressure, edge control and protection.

This section is powered by the same “anti-template engine” used across the UK job category (deterministic variation by page slug).