Vibration, either internal or external, is the most widely used technique for reducing concrete. When concrete is vibrated, the inner friction between the total particles is temporarily eradicated and the concrete acts like a liquid; it settles in the forms under the action of gravity and the large trapped air voids rise more efficiently to the surface.

Concrete that will be visual, such as driveways, highways, or patios, often requires finishing. Slabs can be completed in many ways, relying on the intended service use. Options include various colors and textures, such as exposed aggregate or a patterned-stamped character. Some surfaces may need only strike off and screeding to correct contour and elevation, while for other characters a broomed, flowed, or troweled finish may be selected.

Screeding or strike-off is the process of trimming off excess concrete to bring the top cover of the slab to proper grade. A straight edge is moved across the concrete with a sawing movement and advanced forward a short length with each movement.Bullfloating stops high and low spots and implants large aggregate particles directly after strike-off. This looks like a long-handled straight border pulled across the concrete.