Updated July 2026· Independently researched·14 min read
Post-war brick homes and fibro beach cottages mixed with newer apartments. Many properties are being renovated or knocked down and rebuilt. Local Bayside tradies typically work at Melbourne rates without the travel surcharge. Brighton is in outer Melbourne — tradies from the inner city often add $39–$80 travel. Using a local Bayside tradie avoids this.
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Parking & access in Brighton
Good parking throughout residential streets. Beachside properties may have limited access.
Most concreting jobs in Brighton cost $2,600–$9,000
for a typical residential driveway
A standard plain concrete driveway in Brighton costs $2,600–$6,000. Exposed aggregate runs $4,800–$9,000. Per-sqm rates start from $75/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $200/sqm for decorative finishes.
+5.3%Concreting costs in Brighton are up around 5.3% over the past year, re-verified against 90+ sources in July 2026.Year on year
Average Concreting Cost in Brighton
$135
per hour for standard residential work
Call-Out Fee
$65–$170
Emergency Rate
$280–$780
Common Job
$170–$445
Budget $90/hrAverage $135/hrPremium $225/hr
Concreting in Brighton costs $75–$150 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $120–$200/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $2,600–$9,000 range depending on size and finish.
Prices depend on the finish type, slab thickness, site access, soil conditions, and whether old concrete needs removing first. We've compiled this data from concreters across Brighton, plus hipages, ServiceSeeking, and Airtasker listings as of July 2026.
Quick answerConcreting in Brighton costs $75–$150 /sqm, with most averaging $110 /sqm. GST included — verified July 2026. Get free Brighton quotes →
Detailed Pricing — Brighton 2026
Local tip for this area: The Shire and St George area offer genuinely competitive trade pricing. Take advantage of this by getting multiple quotes — tradies here are used to competing on price. Fixed-price quotes (rather than hourly) often deliver the best value for defined scope jobs.
Service
Low
Typical
High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)
$75/sqm
$110
$150
Coloured concrete (per sqm)
$95/sqm
$140
$200
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)
$120/sqm
$160
$200
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)
$120/sqm
$155
$200
Polished concrete (per sqm)
$100/sqm
$170
$270
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)
$50/sqm
$65
$80
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)
$2,600total
$4,000
$6,000
Driveway — exposed aggregate
$4,800total
$6,500
$9,000
Concrete path / footpath
$75/sqm
$110
$160
Concrete patio / entertaining
$80/sqm
$125
$180
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)
$1,500total
$2,200
$3,500
Old concrete removal
$30/sqm
$50
$80
You're in.
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Prices verified July 2026 · Cross-referenced against 90+ Australian trade pricing sources · See methodology
Prices include GST. Based on Melbourne metro area, Mar 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
What to Know About Concreting Work in Brighton
Brighton is Melbourne's premium bayside suburb with large homes and high-end renovation activity. Electricians working here handle significant projects — heated driveways, pool and spa electrical systems, outdoor entertainment area wiring, and whole-home automation. Salt air from Port Phillip Bay accelerates corrosion of external electrical fittings, requiring marine-grade components for beachside properties.
Common concreting issues in Brighton: Pool surrounds, driveways, and outdoor entertaining slabs. Sandy substrate requires engineering for larger pours. Marine-grade sealers needed for salt exposure.
Access & parking: Good in residential areas — difficult near the esplanade and town centre.
Concreting rates in Brighton typically range from $49–$115/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $75/sqm. This reflects Brighton's position in the south zone of Melbourne, where good tradie supply and easier access keep prices below the Melbourne metro average.
What Affects Concreting Costs in Brighton
Finish type
Plain concrete ($75–$150/sqm in Brighton) is the cheapest. Coloured ($95–$200/sqm), exposed aggregate ($120–$200/sqm), and polished ($100–$270/sqm) all cost progressively more.
Area size
Larger areas in Brighton often get a lower per-sqm rate. A 20 sqm shed slab will cost more per sqm than a 60 sqm driveway due to fixed setup costs being spread over less area.
Site access & preparation
If a bobcat or pump truck can't access your Brighton site easily, manual labour increases costs. Sloping blocks, retaining walls, or soft soil may need extra preparation.
Old concrete removal
Removing existing concrete in Brighton adds $30–$80/sqm. This includes saw-cutting, breaking, and disposal. Factor this in if you're replacing an old driveway or patio.
Reinforcement & thickness
Driveways need stronger reinforcement (typically SL82 mesh or rebar) than paths. Thicker slabs (100mm+ for driveways vs 75mm for paths) use more concrete.
Season & weather
Concrete cures best in mild Brighton conditions. Very hot or very cold weather can affect scheduling and may require additives, which add to the cost.
How to Save Money on Concreting in Brighton
1
Get quotes from licensed Brighton concreters — prices vary widely
2
Ask for an all-inclusive price covering excavation, formwork, reinforcement, concrete, and finishing
3
Check if old concrete removal is included or quoted separately
4
Ask about expansion joints and control joints — proper jointing prevents cracking
5
Consider combining jobs (driveway + path + patio) for a better per-sqm rate in Brighton
6
Verify the concreter is licensed and insured — Brighton councils may require approval for larger slabs
Before you commit — compare your options
Side-by-side guides covering the decisions that most change your final concreting cost.
How much does a concrete driveway cost in Brighton?
A standard plain concrete driveway in Brighton costs $2,600–$6,000 for a typical 40 sqm area. Exposed aggregate driveways are $4,800–$9,000. Actual cost depends on size, finish, site preparation, and access.
How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in Brighton?
Exposed aggregate in Brighton costs $120–$200 per sqm including supply and installation. It's one of the most popular decorative finishes for driveways and patios.
How long does concrete take to cure?
Concrete reaches initial set within 24–48 hours but takes 28 days to reach full strength. You can usually walk on it after 24 hours and drive on it after 7 days, but check with your concreter.
How much does it cost to remove old concrete in Brighton?
Old concrete removal in Brighton costs $30–$80 per sqm, covering breaking, removal, and disposal. Thicker slabs and reinforced concrete cost more to remove.
Do I need council approval for concreting?
In most Brighton councils, minor concreting (driveways, paths, patios) doesn't require a permit. However, work affecting stormwater drainage or within easements may need approval. Check with your local council first.
What's the cheapest type of concrete finish?
Plain grey concrete is the most affordable at $75–$150/sqm in Brighton. Spray-on resurfacing ($50–$80/sqm) is also budget-friendly for refreshing existing concrete.
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, leading tradie marketplaces, peak industry body data, and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our price guides are produced independently. Pricing is compiled from public quotes, industry rate guides, and marketplace data, and no tradesperson can influence a published figure. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get multiple quotes. Last reviewed July 2026. Read our full methodology →