Updated July 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 nearby 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
Tradie supply
Moonee Ponds
Nearby
Good
Strathmore
Nearby
Good
Ascot Vale
Nearby
Good
Niddrie
Nearby
Good
Airport West
Nearby
Good
Most concreting jobs in Essendon cost $2,600–$9,000
for a typical residential driveway
A standard plain concrete driveway in Essendon 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 Essendon are up around 5.3% over the past year, re-verified against 90+ sources in July 2026.Year on year
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 $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 Essendon, plus hipages, ServiceSeeking, and Airtasker listings as of July 2026.
Quick answerConcreting in Essendon costs $75–$150 /sqm, with most averaging $110 /sqm. GST included — verified July 2026. Get free Essendon quotes →
Detailed Pricing — Essendon 2026
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 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 inner north-west 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 ($75–$150/sqm in Essendon) 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 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 $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 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
1
Get quotes from licensed Essendon 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 Essendon
6
Verify the concreter is licensed and insured — Essendon 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 Essendon?
A standard plain concrete driveway in Essendon 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 Essendon?
Exposed aggregate in Essendon 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 Essendon?
Old concrete removal in Essendon 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 Essendon 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 Essendon. 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 →