Cost Guide

How much does concreting cost in Brunswick?

Q: How much does a concrete driveway cost in Brunswick?

Driveway costs in Brunswick depend on size, finish, thickness, and site preparation. Plain grey concrete is the most affordable; exposed aggregate and coloured concrete cost more per sqm. In Brunswick, where properties feature a mix of terraces, cottages, and inter-war homes, driveway sizes and access conditions vary. Access constraints may require concrete pumping, which adds to the cost.

Q: How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in Brunswick?

Exposed aggregate in Brunswick costs more per sqm than plain concrete, reflecting the premium finish and additional labour for washing and sealing. Prices are in the mid-to-upper range, reflecting moderate access difficulty and solid demand. The stone selection affects the final price — local river pebble is cheaper than imported decorative aggregates. Sealing is essential and needs reapplying every 2–3 years to maintain the finish.

Q: How long does concrete take to cure?

Concrete reaches initial set in 24–48 hours (walkable), working strength at 7 days, and full design strength at 28 days. Avoid heavy loads on new concrete for at least 7 days. In Brunswick, seasonal temperatures affect curing — summer heat can cause surface cracking if not managed with curing compounds, while winter slows the process. Your concreter should advise on curing specifics for the time of year.

Updated April 2026 · Independently researched · 14 min read

Predominantly interwar and post-war brick homes, semis and cottages with a growing apartment stock. Homes from the 1940s–60s often have original wiring that's functional but nearing end-of-life. Good tradie supply keeps prices competitive. Travel surcharges are rarely a factor — Brunswick is well within the inner Melbourne tradie belt.

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Parking & access in Brunswick

Generally good in residential streets. Sydney Road commercial strip is difficult but most electrical work is residential.

How Brunswick compares to nearby suburbs

Local tip for this area: The inner west has a healthy mix of tradies — from sole operators to larger firms. Sole traders often offer better rates for routine work, while larger firms may have better availability for urgent jobs. Ask neighbours for recommendations — word-of-mouth referrals often lead to the best value.

Prices shift suburb-to-suburb based on travel time, parking, and local housing stock.

Suburb	Concreter rate	Zone
Brunswick East	Nearby	Good
Coburg	Nearby	Good
Carlton 🏛	Inner	Difficult
Northcote	Mid-ring	Good
Parkville	Nearby	Good

Most concreting jobs in Brunswick cost $3,060–$10,555

for a typical residential driveway

A standard plain concrete driveway in Brunswick costs $3,060–$7,040. Exposed aggregate runs $5,610–$10,555. Per-sqm rates start from $90/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $235/sqm for decorative finishes.

+6.8% Concreting costs in Brunswick have risen this quarter, driven by strong construction activity and trade shortages. Q1 2026 vs Q4 2025

Average Concreting Cost in Brunswick

$140

per hour for standard residential work

Call-Out Fee

$70–$175

Emergency Rate

$295–$820

Common Job

$175–$470

Budget $95/hrAverage $140/hrPremium $235/hr

Concreting in Brunswick costs $90–$175 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $145–$235/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $3,060–$10,555 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 Brunswick and nearby suburbs, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.

Quick answerConcreting in Brunswick costs $90–$175 /sqm, with most averaging $130 /sqm. GST included — verified April 2026. Get free Brunswick quotes →

Detailed Pricing — Brunswick 2026

Service	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)	$90/sqm	$130	$175
Coloured concrete (per sqm)	$110/sqm	$165	$235
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)	$145/sqm	$190	$235
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)	$145/sqm	$185	$235
Polished concrete (per sqm)	$115/sqm	$200	$315
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)	$60/sqm	$75	$95
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)	$3,060total	$4,690	$7,040
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$5,610total	$7,600	$10,555
Concrete path / footpath	$90/sqm	$130	$190
Concrete patio / entertaining	$95/sqm	$150	$210
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)	$1,760total	$2,575	$4,105
Old concrete removal	$35/sqm	$60	$95

Prices verified April 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 Brunswick

Brunswick has transformed from a working-class industrial suburb to a densely populated inner-city hub. The housing stock ranges from unrenovated 1920s weatherboards to modern townhouse developments. Electricians working on the older homes frequently encounter outdated wiring, asbestos meter boards, and switchboards that haven't been upgraded since the 1970s. Solar panel installations are increasingly common on the newer housing stock.

Common concreting issues in Brunswick: Industrial yard conversions, new driveways, and rear courtyard slabs. Larger lot sizes than inner-east suburbs mean bigger jobs. Some contaminated industrial land requires testing before excavation.

Access & parking: Better than eastern suburbs — most homes have driveways or rear lane access.

Concreting rates in Brunswick typically range from $50–$120/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $75/sqm. This reflects Brunswick's position in the inner zone of Melbourne, where moderate demand and mixed housing stock keep prices close to the Melbourne metro average.

What Affects Concreting Costs in Brunswick

Finish type

Plain concrete ($90–$175/sqm in Brunswick) is the cheapest. Coloured ($110–$235/sqm), exposed aggregate ($145–$235/sqm), and polished ($115–$315/sqm) all cost progressively more.

Area size

Larger areas in Brunswick 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 Brunswick site easily, manual labour increases costs. Sloping blocks, retaining walls, or soft soil may need extra preparation.

Old concrete removal

Removing existing concrete in Brunswick adds $35–$95/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 Brunswick 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 Brunswick

Get quotes from licensed Brunswick concreters — prices vary widely

Ask for an all-inclusive price covering excavation, formwork, reinforcement, concrete, and finishing

Check if old concrete removal is included or quoted separately

Ask about expansion joints and control joints — proper jointing prevents cracking

Consider combining jobs (driveway + path + patio) for a better per-sqm rate in Brunswick

Verify the concreter is licensed and insured — Brunswick councils may require approval for larger slabs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in Brunswick?

How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in Brunswick?

How long does concrete take to cure?