Old World Concretes is one of the leading businesses that supply precast concrete in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The first thing that impressed us is their strong business name, having over 100 years’ wealth of experience.

The shop has two branches: one in Joburg and one in Cape Town. Their product catalogues for each branch slightly vary, though.

But generally, their precast concrete products are grouped into four categories depending on their use: architectural, gardening, civic, and utilities. 

Being versatile is a brilliant asset for us, and we love that they cater to varied tastes and preferences too. Old World Concretes’ precast concrete products are custom-made, which is awesome.

Take note, though, that as they’re made to order, it may take some for them to manufacture personalised pieces, especially in big numbers. Also, consider your budget before you decide to order custom pieces.

Old World Concretes’ precast products are also available on AutoCAD, allowing their customers to download designs for free upon request, which we think is great.

Quality-wise, many of Old World Concretes’ previous customers are highly satisfied with the standard of the products. Their architectural precast concrete products are often complimented for their durability, which is commendable. 

It’s also a plus for us that most of their customers are regulars, which just reflects the quality of service they provide. However. It’s also worth mentioning that there is a one-off report on poor customer assistance.

Some of their past customers shared with us how they encountered rude and unhelpful staff, which isn’t ideal.

Next on our list is Concrete Slabs Supplies, a well-established construction company and major supplier of concrete slabs. They’re preferred primarily for their proven expertise, having been in the industry for almost three decades already.

One of our favourite features about this company is they’re proudly local. Concrete Slabs Supplies was founded by South Africans and till now, they’re still advocating for empowering broad-based black economic empowerment.

Concrete Slabs Supplies’ BBBEE certificate is also available on their website, which builds credibility.

Another thing we love is their wide range of precast concrete products. Concrete Slabs Supplies offers precast products, lightboxes, anti-crack mesh, T-Beam, cement ash blocks, Fabpanels, and more.

They also have several precast concrete products to choose from, such as architectural elements, window elements, stairs, shower elements, water management elements, air bricks, and outside elements. 

Aside from just supplying the products, Concrete Slabs Supplies offers hands on assistance with design and construction too, which we think is awesome. 

We love that they’re well-staffed with seasoned engineers and architects who can provide expert consultations. It’s awesome that they also issue NHBRC and SANS 10400 certificates for projects and renovations.

Take into consideration, though, that their warehouse is located outside of Johannesburg, which can affect convenience and timeframes.

In line with this, there are a handful of minor complaints about delays in order deliveries. Management was quick to apologise and address the issues, though, which we commend.

Royal Concrete Slabs is another popular supplier of prefabricated concrete slabs. They were founded over three decades ago and specialise in offering a wide range of superb-quality concrete floor products. 

What sets Royal Concrete Slabs apart from their competitors is they advocate for using lightweight and eco-friendly materials.

This shop is highly sought after primarily because of their outstanding product quality. We love how Royal Concrete Slabs is complete and updated with the latest technology to come up with unique, durable, state-of-the-art prefabricated concrete.

On top of that, many of their previous customers chose to source their precast concrete supplies from Royal Concrete Slabs because of their affordable pricing. 

Royal Concrete Slabs also has a broad catalogue of precast concrete products, which is a plus for us. They have rib and block slabs, polystyrene slabs, and ready mix concrete available.

Take note, though, that they only sell concrete floor products, so if you’re looking for precast concrete walls, you might have to look elsewhere.

They also provide engineering services, which we think is a great value-added service, especially if you’re planning a big project. Royal Concrete Slabs is well-staffed with experienced engineers that can help with designing, inspections, and certificates.

Rocla (Pty) Ltd is one of the leading manufacturers of precast concrete pipes in the country. They’re a well-established business that has a vast network of manufacturing facilities spread out across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.

What impressed us is Rocla’s solid track record and extensive experience in both big and small construction projects. The company is big on credibility, having over 100 years of experience.

Throughout the years, Rocla has partnered with multiple renowned businesses and organisations such as Infrastructure Specialist Group, Richards Bay Community, and more. It’s also impressive that they’ve received numerous awards for excellence.

On top of that, Rocla is ISO 9001/2015 certified, which we commend. Service-wise, their staff are also often complimented for their expertise and meticulousness. 

Rocla has a wide selection of precast pipes, culverts, manholes, poles, and more. They also offer specific types for each category, which you can conveniently scroll through in their online catalogue.

However, Rocla is limited to producing only circular-shaped precast concrete. So, if you’re looking for precast concrete slabs and walls, this might not be the right place.

Lastly, if there’s anything that Rocla needs to improve on, it’s probably their customer reception. We’re told some of the previous customers encountered unfriendly and uninterested sales persons, which is disappointing. 

At Exclusive Walls, we were impressed by their wide range of precast wall options, catering to various aesthetic preferences and functional needs. The installation process was efficient, with the team completing the project within the agreed timeframe and with minimal disruption. We found the quality of their precast walls to be excellent, with durable materials and precise craftsmanship evident in the final product. Our property now boasts a stunning and sturdy boundary thanks to Exclusive Walls’ top-notch products and installation services. Despite the premium quality, we found Exclusive Walls’ pricing to be competitive, offering good value for the quality of the product and service received. We appreciated their transparency in pricing and the absence of hidden fees, making it easy to budget for our project.

At Alfa Concrete Walls, we were impressed by their wide selection of precast wall designs, suitable for both residential and commercial properties. The installation process was efficient, with the team completing the project on time and with attention to detail. We found the quality of their precast walls to be exceptional, with sturdy construction and a professional finish that enhanced the appearance of our property. Our experience with Alfa Concrete Walls exceeded our expectations, as their reliable service and high-quality products transformed our outdoor space. Despite the premium quality, we found Alfa Concrete Walls’ prices to be reasonable, offering good value for the durability and aesthetics of their precast walls. We appreciated their transparent pricing and the lack of hidden costs, making it easy to plan and budget for our project.

Although Simstone (Pty) Ltd is a younger entity compared to its competitors, having only been established in 2004, they’re a high-performing construction products manufacturer. 

The first thing that attracted us to this company is its strong ambition to rise as one of the leading concrete suppliers in the country. Their efforts are very obvious too, considering their solid track record.

We love that Simstone has a long list of precast concrete products available. It’s also a big plus for us how their catalogue is updated, and is easily accessible on their website.

Simstone also accepts custom-made product orders, which is awesome. The best part is they ship internationally, so even though their warehouse is quite far from Joburg, customers can easily place orders and schedule them to be delivered.

You would have to consider the distance in your project timeframe, though, as orders can be late to arrive. 

One of the company’s strongest assets is its people. They’re well-staffed with experienced engineers and team members who are very hands on in assisting customers with their plans and requests.

We also appreciate how the company has a separate and dedicated back office to assist customers. Nonetheless, there are a few concerns about weak customer relations.

A handful of their past customers complained about how it’s difficult to reach out to Simstone’s representatives, which is a dismay.