Sydney concrete prices at a glance
No official price list exists for concreting in Sydney. The ranges below are our own 2026 planning guides in Australian dollars, based on typical residential jobs. They are there so you can set a budget and sanity-check a quote. They are not quotes. Every job needs an on-site quote, because access, demolition, ground conditions and levels can move the price well outside a typical range.
| Job | What the range usually assumes | 2026 guide (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Plain concrete driveway or slab | Broom or trowel finish, standard thickness with mesh, reasonable truck access, old surface already removed | $90 to $140 per m² |
| Exposed aggregate or coloured concrete | As above, plus the decorative finish and first seal | $120 to $190 per m² |
| Polished concrete | Grind and seal at the lower end, full mechanical polish at the upper end, open floor areas | $60 to $150 per m² |
| Concrete sleeper retaining wall | Low garden wall, steel posts concreted in, drainage behind, no engineering | $400 to $900 per lineal metre |
| Old concrete removal | Breaking out and disposing of an existing driveway or path before a new pour | $30 to $70 per m² |
These are planning figures only. They do not include council fees, engineering, pumps, rock breaking or major drainage work unless stated.
What pushes a concrete price up
Removal of what is there
Breaking out an old driveway, loading it and paying tip fees is a real part of the cost, often quoted separately. Old slabs that turn out thicker than expected, or have heavy reinforcement, cost more to remove.
Access
If the concrete truck can back up to the formwork, the job is simplest. If it cannot, the concrete is pumped or barrowed. Long side passages, terraces with no rear lane access and steep driveways all add cost.
Ground and excavation
Rock costs more to dig than soil. Soft or wet clay may need to be dug out and replaced. Large changes in level may need retaining or extra fill, which must be compacted.
Thickness, strength and steel
Thicker slabs, stronger concrete and heavier reinforcement cost more. Commercial pavements and structural slabs are priced from the engineer's design, so square metre guides for house driveways do not apply.
Finish
Broom-finished plain concrete is the base price. Exposed aggregate, colour, stencils, honing and polishing all add labour and materials. Sealing is often extra.
Small jobs
Set-up, the truck and the crew cost much the same for a small path as for a bigger slab, so small jobs carry a higher rate per square metre.
How to compare quotes
Line the quotes up and check that each one covers:
- Area in square metres, and thickness
- Demolition and disposal of the existing surface
- Excavation and base material, compacted
- Reinforcement type
- Concrete strength
- Finish, colour and sealing
- Joints: where they go and how they are made
- Falls and drainage
- Pump hire if needed
- Council crossover work, if included
- Clean-up and protection while curing
A cheaper quote that leaves out the base, the steel or the demolition is not cheaper.
Paying for concrete work
Ask how payments are staged and what the deposit covers. NSW Fair Trading publishes guidance on contracts, deposits and licensing for residential building work, and it is worth reading before signing. We ask the contractors we work with to hold the licences and insurance the job needs; ask to see them before work starts.
Next steps
Each service page explains how that job is built: concrete driveways, slabs, footpaths, retaining walls, pool surrounds, polished concrete, saw cutting and commercial driveways. When you are ready, call or send the job details below for a free on-site quote.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Combine jobs into one pour so the truck, pump and crew are only paid for once.
- Choose plain concrete where looks matter less, such as side paths and shed slabs, and save decorative finishes for the street-facing driveway.
- Clear the area yourself if the quote allows it, such as moving pot plants, furniture and loose pavers.
- Be flexible on the date, so the concreter can fit the pour into a good weather window.
- Do not cut the base or the steel. Savings there are the most expensive kind later.
Concrete FAQExposed Aggregate vs Coloured vs Plain DrivewaysAll servicesContact
Questions people ask before they commit
Why do concrete quotes vary so much?
Usually because they are not pricing the same job. One quote may include removing the old driveway, a thicker slab, more reinforcement, sealing and the crossover, while another leaves some of that out. Compare quotes line by line, not by the total.
Is there a minimum charge for small concrete jobs?
Often. A concrete truck, a crew and set-up cost much the same for a small path as for a bigger slab, so small jobs cost more per square metre. Combining small jobs into one pour helps.
Does a concrete pump add much to the price?
It can add a noticeable amount on a small job because the pump has its own hire cost. It is often needed when the truck cannot reach, such as on rear slabs, steep blocks and narrow terrace access.
Is the quote free?
Yes. Quotes are free and given after the concreter has measured the area and looked at the access, levels and ground.
Do prices include GST?
Ask. Some quotes include GST and some add it at the end. Make sure every quote you compare is on the same basis.