How much does concreting cost? 2025 cost guide

Concreting significantly reduces building costs due to its high supply ability and ease of working with it. Whether you're looking for a concrete driveway cost or info about other areas of the home, we'll explore the price of concreting in 2024 below.

Concreting is an essential element of most building projects and is utilised for driveways, house slabs and everything in between! Costing between $200 to $300 per cubic metre, it's also readily available and a versatile flooring option that can be used outdoors and indoors with equally impressive outcomes. 

Whether you're looking for a concrete driveway cost or info about other areas of the home, we'll explore the price of concreting in 2024 below. 

Standard Concrete Costs

Concreting can cost $50 - $150 per square metre, subject to the levelling required, the type of finish used and the size of the job. This means that generally, you can expect to pay $200 - $300 per cubic metre.

Factors Influencing Concrete Costs

While the above gives a general idea of what to expect in terms of concrete costs, several other factors will influence the final price. These include: 

Choice of Concrete

The concrete type you choose to work with will affect pricing as outlined in the table below:

Size, Complexity and Accessibility

The size of your site will impact the cost of the job, as the more area to cover, the more concrete and time required. The amount of time and work needed to excavate and level your site will also increase the cost as will any need to install significant drainage. 

Additionally, should the accessibility to your site be difficult, this can also add to the final charges as it can affect both the time frame and complexity of your job. 

Location

Location, such as urban versus regional areas can significantly impact the cost of concrete across Australia. In major cities and the surrounding suburbs, concrete prices tend to be lower due to greater competition among suppliers, proximity to manufacturers and reduced transportation costs. These areas also tend to benefit from lower labour costs due to plenty of competition. 

In regional areas concrete prices are generally between 10 to 20% higher than in cities. This is mostly due to the added cost of transporting and delivering materials over long distances. The fact that there are often also fewer suppliers or labourers also makes for less competition and higher prices. 

Labour Costs

The industry standard rate for concreting labour is approximately $70 per hour, this however may vary depending on skill level, expertise and experience. 

Low-End Concreting Labour Costs

Generally, you will find a labourer who has just finished his trade and is starting out in the industry will charge a lower rate, closer to $40 per hour. 

Medium-Range Concreting Labour Costs

Concreters charging between $40 - $70 per hour have typically been in the industry for 1 to 5 years and have an established clientele. You are paying more for increased security on their level of workmanship, and they will likely be a lot faster at completing a job than someone who is just starting out. 

High-End Concreting Labour Costs

Within the higher-end range of $70 upwards per hour, you can expect to receive a premium service. Extremely experienced concreters will have years of experience and a strong clientele to back them. Communication will be exceptional, the workmanship will be to the highest possible standard, and you can rest assured that you are investing in a service that will withstand years to come. 

Labour Vs Supply Costs

It should be noted that in Australia, concreting costs are divided into supply (materials) and labour costs. 

Concrete supply typically costs $200 to $400 per cubic metre, depending on the type and location with labour rates ranging from $60 to $120 per hour. Labour generally makes up 40% to 60% of the total project cost, with supply covering the rest. 

To ensure that you are getting the most accurate pricing for your concreting, you should always request a quote that clearly outlines both material and labour costs.

What jobs do concreters do?

Concreters are equipped with a number of skills and services. Including but not limited to:

• Mixing and laying concrete
• Concrete cutting
• Reinforcing concrete to strengthen it
• Laying house foundations
• Pouring concrete into formwork for creating a variety of structures
• Grinding/polishing/sealing concrete surfaces
• Creating different decorative effects with stencils and stamps 

Uses For Concrete

There are many applications for concrete including: 

• Pools, rendering and retaining walls: Spray-on concrete is a popular option in these settings due to its speedy application and decorative design features that add to your home’s look. 
• Concrete House Slabs: Chosen for their durability, stability and affordability, concrete house slabs are a fantastic option for creating a solid foundation for your home.  
• Concrete Footpaths: The most widely seen material used on footpaths, concrete offers a single layer or individual block option for footpaths. 
• Concrete Driveways: Because what else would you want laying under heavy vehicles? Concrete driveways are a very suitable driveway choice, offering a multitude of finishes to choose from. You can justify any concrete driveway cost knowing that it's a fantastic option for your entrance.
• Polished concrete flooring: Providing a durable and chic industrial look, polished concrete flooring is increasingly popular in new home builds. 

Finding a Concreter and Getting Quotes

Service.com.au offers easy access to a range of concreters within your local area. There are a number of specialists to choose from, with varying prices and skills to fit your budget and needs. 

Ensuring you can find concreters with competitive prices, premium workmanship and specialised equipment, we help you find the right expert for your needs. 

When requesting detailed quotes, we recommend that you also enquire about licensing and insurance and whether they can provide examples of past work. Additionally, you should also request quotes from at least three different concreters to establish a benchmark price for your specific job. 

Lastly, almost every Australian state (excluding TAS and the NT) requires concreters to hold a dedicated concreting licence or a builder's licence – and for good reason. We strongly discourage hiring an unqualified concreter as this will be a significant risk to the quality of their service and in achieving a safe and long-lasting outcome.

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Please note that all prices mentioned are to be used as an approximate guide only and are accurate at the time of writing. These prices may differ by location and at the discretion of each business.