How much does concreting cost in Fitzroy?
Fitzroy is almost entirely Victorian and Federation terraces, many with original wiring and plumbing. Heritage overlays apply in the conservation areas around Georgina and Lennox streets. Tradies in the inner west are experienced with this stock. Travel surcharges are rarely a factor — Fitzroy is well within the inner Melbourne tradie belt.
Fitzroy falls within a heritage conservation area. For concreter work this can mean requirements around concealed runs, material matching, and council notification for certain changes. Always confirm heritage conditions apply to your specific property before work begins.
Street parking in Fitzroy is tight, especially around Brunswick and Gertrude Streets. Most tradies factor 10–20 minutes for parking on weekday jobs.
How Fitzroy compares to nearby suburbs
Prices shift suburb-to-suburb based on travel time, parking, and local housing stock.
| Suburb | Concreter rate | Zone | Tradie supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collingwood 🏛 | Inner | Mixed | |
| Carlton 🏛 | Inner | Difficult | |
| Abbotsford | Mid-ring | Moderate | |
| Northcote | Mid-ring | Good | |
| Richmond 🏛 | Inner | Moderate |
Concreting in Fitzroy costs $90–$175 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $145–$240/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $3,120–$10,765 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 Fitzroy and nearby suburbs, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.
Detailed Pricing — Fitzroy 2026
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain concrete slab (per sqm) | $90/sqm | $130 | $175 |
| Coloured concrete (per sqm) | $115/sqm | $165 | $240 |
| Exposed aggregate (per sqm) | $145/sqm | $190 | $240 |
| Stamped / stencilled (per sqm) | $145/sqm | $185 | $240 |
| Polished concrete (per sqm) | $120/sqm | $205 | $320 |
| Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm) | $60/sqm | $80 | $95 |
| Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm) | $3,120total | $4,785 | $7,175 |
| Driveway — exposed aggregate | $5,720total | $7,750 | $10,765 |
| Concrete path / footpath | $90/sqm | $130 | $190 |
| Concrete patio / entertaining | $95/sqm | $150 | $215 |
| Shed slab (typical 20 sqm) | $1,795total | $2,625 | $4,185 |
| Old concrete removal | $35/sqm | $60 | $95 |
Prices include GST. Based on Melbourne metro area, Mar 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
What to Know About Concreting Work in Fitzroy
Fitzroy is Melbourne's oldest suburb and one of its most heritage-dense. Victorian-era terrace houses dominate, many with original wiring that hasn't been touched since the 1950s. Electricians working in Fitzroy routinely encounter knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos-backed meter boards, and undersized switchboards that need upgrading before any new work can proceed. Heritage overlay restrictions apply across most of the suburb — concealed cabling and sympathetic installation methods are standard requirements.
Common concreting issues in Fitzroy: Rear lane driveways and small courtyard slabs. Front footpaths often council-maintained. Limited scope per job but steady demand from investor-owners upgrading rental properties.
Access & parking: King Street corridor has no off-street parking — residential side streets are permit-only zones.
Concreting rates in Fitzroy typically range from $50–$125/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $80/sqm. This reflects Fitzroy'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 Fitzroy
Finish type
Plain concrete ($90–$175/sqm in Fitzroy) is the cheapest. Coloured ($115–$240/sqm), exposed aggregate ($145–$240/sqm), and polished ($120–$320/sqm) all cost progressively more.
Area size
Larger areas in Fitzroy 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 Fitzroy site easily, manual labour increases costs. Sloping blocks, retaining walls, or soft soil may need extra preparation.
Old concrete removal
Removing existing concrete in Fitzroy 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 Fitzroy conditions. Very hot or very cold weather can affect scheduling and may require additives, which add to the cost.