Cost Guide

How much does concreting cost in Essendon?

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

Driveway costs in Essendon 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 Essendon, where properties feature Federation homes, inter-war bungalows, and newer apartments, 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 Essendon?

Exposed aggregate in Essendon costs more per sqm than plain concrete, reflecting the premium finish and additional labour for washing and sealing. Prices are at the upper end, reflecting the premium area and steeper terrain that adds labour time. 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 Essendon, 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 1950s–70s brick homes and apartments alongside more recent development. The electrical and plumbing in these homes is often original but functional — many owners are upgrading rather than replacing. Most Melbourne tradies service Essendon at standard rates, though some add a small travel fee of $20–40 depending on their base.

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Parking & access in Essendon

Good parking throughout. Residential suburb with driveways. Not a factor.

How Essendon compares to nearby suburbs

Local tip for this area: Premium area tradies sometimes quote higher because they can. Counter this by getting quotes from tradies based slightly further out — Bayside operators servicing the lower Inner North, or upper Inner North tradies servicing harbourside suburbs. The quality is often identical at a lower rate.

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

Suburb	Concreter rate	Zone
Moonee Ponds	Nearby	Good
Strathmore	Nearby	Good
Ascot Vale	Nearby	Good
Niddrie	Nearby	Good
Airport West	Nearby	Good

Most concreting jobs in Essendon cost $3,030–$10,455

for a typical residential driveway

A standard plain concrete driveway in Essendon costs $3,030–$6,970. Exposed aggregate runs $5,555–$10,455. Per-sqm rates start from $85/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $230/sqm for decorative finishes.

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

Average Concreting Cost in Essendon

$140

per hour for standard residential work

Call-Out Fee

$70–$175

Emergency Rate

$290–$815

Common Job

$175–$465

Budget $95/hrAverage $140/hrPremium $230/hr

Concreting in Essendon costs $85–$170 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $140–$230/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $3,030–$10,455 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 Essendon and nearby suburbs, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.

Quick answerConcreting in Essendon costs $85–$170 /sqm, with most averaging $125 /sqm. GST included — verified April 2026. Get free Essendon quotes →

Detailed Pricing — Essendon 2026

Service	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)	$85/sqm	$125	$170
Coloured concrete (per sqm)	$110/sqm	$160	$230
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)	$140/sqm	$185	$230
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)	$140/sqm	$180	$230
Polished concrete (per sqm)	$115/sqm	$195	$315
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)	$60/sqm	$75	$95
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)	$3,030total	$4,645	$6,970
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$5,555total	$7,525	$10,455
Concrete path / footpath	$85/sqm	$125	$185
Concrete patio / entertaining	$95/sqm	$145	$205
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)	$1,740total	$2,550	$4,065
Old concrete removal	$34/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 Essendon

Essendon has a stable housing market with Californian Bungalows and post-war brick homes predominating. Electricians work on a mix of renovation and maintenance — switchboard upgrades in 1950s–1970s homes, ceiling fan installations, and lighting upgrades. The suburb's proximity to the airport means some properties need additional earthing and surge protection.

Common concreting issues in Essendon: New driveway construction for subdivisions. Older concrete paths and driveways from the 1960s reaching replacement age. Development activity keeps concrete supply trucks accessible.

Access & parking: Generally good except near the town centre construction zone.

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

What Affects Concreting Costs in Essendon

Finish type

Plain concrete ($85–$170/sqm in Essendon) is the cheapest. Coloured ($110–$230/sqm), exposed aggregate ($140–$230/sqm), and polished ($115–$315/sqm) all cost progressively more.

Area size

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

Old concrete removal

Removing existing concrete in Essendon adds $34–$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 Essendon 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 Essendon

Get quotes from licensed Essendon 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 Essendon

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in Essendon?

How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in Essendon?

How long does concrete take to cure?