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EXTERIORSSIDING & EXTERIORS

Concrete Pads & Flatwork

Reinforced concrete pad installation for HVAC condensers, generators, sheds, and walkway flatwork. Properly leveled, fiber- or rebar-reinforced, NJ frost-line code compliant.

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What We Do

Concrete Pads & Flatwork

Concrete pad installation for HVAC condensers, generator sets, AC compressors, garbage corrals, sheds, hot tubs, and pedestrian walkways. We pour 4-inch residential pads (HVAC, walkways) and 6-inch commercial/structural pads with proper sub-base preparation, fiber or rebar reinforcement, control joints, and edge tooling. Every pad is sized + sloped per the equipment manufacturer's installation manual.

By Precision Roofing & Exteriors — Licensed NJHIC Contractor·Reviewed

A concrete pad is one of those jobs where the prep matters more than the pour. We see HVAC pads, generator pads, and walkway flatwork all over NJ that have cracked, settled, or tilted within 2-3 years — and it's almost always because someone skipped the sub-base. The pad is only as good as what's under it.

We do this work for HVAC contractors, generator installers, and homeowners across all 21 NJ counties. Most pads are scheduled the same week as the equipment install so the contractor can set the unit on a properly cured pad with no delays.

What we install

**HVAC condenser pads** — 4" depth, typically 36"x36" up to 60"x36" depending on unit footprint. Sized per the OEM installation manual with at least 6" overhang on all sides.

**Generator pads** — 6" depth standard, sized per the generator manufacturer's specifications. Generac 22kW units typically need a 60"x32"x6" pad; larger commercial units 8-10" thick with engineered footings.

**Walkway flatwork** — 4" depth, broom-finished for slip resistance, control joints every 5-6 ft. Width adjusted to match adjacent walks (usually 36-48" residential).

**Shed pads** — 4" depth for utility sheds, 6" for larger structures. Slightly oversized vs the shed footprint to keep grass off the slab edge.

**Hot tub / spa pads** — 6" depth minimum (spa-and-water weight averages 2,500-4,000 lb), reinforced with #4 rebar in 12"x12" pattern, 1" higher than surrounding grade for drainage.

**Trash corral / dumpster pads** — 6-8" thick with high-strength mix and steel reinforcement, designed for repeated truck loading.

Sub-base prep — the difference between a 5-year and 30-year pad

Excavate to 6-8" below finished pad elevation. Remove all topsoil and organic material — concrete poured over topsoil settles within 2-3 years.

Install 3-4 inches of 3/4-inch minus crushed stone, compacted in lifts with a plate compactor.

Install vapor barrier (6-mil poly) on pads adjacent to enclosed structures or where moisture intrusion would damage equipment.

Set forms to true elevation using a laser level, with 1/4" per foot slope away from any structure.

On reinforced pads, set rebar on chairs at mid-depth (2" up from sub-base on a 4" pad). Wire-tied at intersections.

NJ-specific code considerations

Frost line in NJ is 36" depth (32" in southern counties). Pads supporting structures (decks, sheds over a certain footprint, hot tubs) require frost footings or thickened-edge pad design per NJ Uniform Construction Code R403.

Generator pads supporting the unit's full weight + concentrated point loads from the support legs need engineered design above 17kW. We coordinate with the generator installer's drawings.

Pads within 5 ft of a foundation must slope away from the building per NJ stormwater best practice — also helps prevent ice intrusion at the foundation in winter.

Equipment installations (HVAC, generators) typically require permits in NJ. We coordinate timing with the equipment installer's permit and inspection.

Our Process

  1. 1
    Site visit + sizing
    We measure, confirm equipment dimensions with the installer or homeowner, identify any drainage / grading issues, and confirm utility-locate is scheduled before excavation.
  2. 2
    Excavate + prep sub-base
    Remove topsoil + any soft material. Install + compact 3-4" of 3/4-inch crushed stone. Set forms to elevation with proper slope. Install vapor barrier where called for.
  3. 3
    Set reinforcement
    Rebar mat or fiber-mesh per scope. Rebar tied at intersections, raised on chairs to mid-depth. Anchor bolts set if equipment requires them (generators, hot tubs).
  4. 4
    Pour + finish
    4,000 PSI concrete with appropriate slump. Screeded, bull-floated, edged. Broom or troweled finish per scope. Control joints sawn or tooled at proper spacing.
  5. 5
    Cure + form removal
    Cure under wet burlap or curing compound for 3-5 days. Forms stripped at 24-48 hours. Pad ready for equipment set at 7 days for foot traffic, 28 days for full design strength.

Materials We Use

4,000 PSI concrete mix
Standard residential pour. Higher PSI (5,000) used on commercial / heavy-load applications.
3/4-inch crushed stone (3/4 minus)
Standard sub-base material. Drains, compacts well, doesn't pump under load.
#4 rebar (1/2-inch)
Standard reinforcement bar for residential pads. Larger pads use #5 (5/8-inch). Tied at intersections, raised on chairs.
Synthetic micro-fibers
Polypropylene fiber added to the concrete mix for crack control. Used on smaller pads where rebar isn't needed (typical HVAC condenser pads).
6-mil poly vapor barrier
Used under pads adjacent to structures to prevent moisture migration into building.
Curing compound
Membrane-forming compound sprayed on after finishing. Slows water evaporation during early cure for stronger final concrete.
Key Benefits

The Precision Difference

    Properly compacted sub-base (3-4" 3/4 minus stone) — most NJ pad failures trace back to skipped sub-base prep
    4" residential / 6" commercial pad depth standards
    Synthetic-fiber or #4 rebar reinforcement (per scope)
    Control joints sawn or tooled at 8-10 ft intervals
    1/4" per foot drainage slope away from building
    NJ frost-line compliant — footings or thickened edges where required
    Site cleanup and form removal included
    5-year workmanship warranty on residential, 10-year on commercial
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Frequently Asked Questions

About Concrete Pads & Flatwork in NJ

How long before I can put my AC unit on a new concrete pad?+
Foot traffic and light equipment placement: 7 days. Full design strength (4,000 PSI): 28 days. For HVAC condensers (relatively light), 7-day cure is plenty as long as the unit isn't moved heavy across the pad surface. For generators (heavier point loads) we recommend waiting the full 14 days minimum.
Do I need rebar in my HVAC condenser pad?+
Not always. Standard residential AC condenser pads (under 60"x36") do fine with synthetic fiber reinforcement in the mix — fiber controls cracking better than rebar at small sizes. Larger pads, generator pads, and any pad subject to vehicle traffic or freeze-thaw concentration need rebar. We pick the right reinforcement for the scope.
Will the pad crack?+
All concrete pads develop hairline cracks over time — that's why control joints exist (so cracks happen at intentional locations, not random). Properly designed and cured pads with good sub-base shouldn't develop structural cracks for 25-50 years. Pads that crack early are almost always sub-base failures (skipped stone base, pour over topsoil, no compaction).
How big does the pad need to be for my equipment?+
Match the equipment manufacturer's specification — every Generac, Kohler, Trane, Carrier, etc. install manual specifies pad dimensions, depth, and reinforcement. Add 6" of overhang past equipment footprint on each side as a minimum for service access. We confirm sizing with the equipment installer before pouring.
Can you pour a concrete pad in the winter?+
Yes — NJ winter pours need cold-weather concrete (calcium-chloride accelerator + insulating blankets) and pour temperatures above 40°F. We schedule winter pours mid-day with several days of forecasted above-freezing nights. If a hard freeze is forecast within 48 hours of the pour we reschedule.
Do I need a permit for a concrete pad in NJ?+
Most NJ municipalities require permits for pads supporting structures (sheds over 200 sq ft, decks, hot tubs) — those have building department oversight. Pads supporting equipment (HVAC, generators) typically permit through the equipment installation, not the pad itself. Walkway flatwork generally doesn't require a permit unless it changes drainage. We coordinate with the township when permits are needed.
Service Area

Serving All 21 New Jersey Counties

We service Atlantic County, Bergen County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, Essex County, Gloucester County, Hudson County, Hunterdon County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Ocean County, Passaic County, Salem County, Somerset County, Sussex County, Union County, Warren County. From our Garfield, NJ shop we cover the entire state — same-day measurement available in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Union, and Middlesex; next-day in Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer, Somerset, and Hunterdon; 2-day for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, Sussex, and Warren.

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