Cost Guide

How much does concreting cost in Kew?

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

Driveway costs in Kew 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 Kew, where properties feature heritage terraces and older apartment blocks, 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 Kew?

Exposed aggregate in Kew costs more per sqm than plain concrete, reflecting the premium finish and additional labour for washing and sealing. Prices are at the higher end of the range due to parking, access difficulty, and heritage property constraints. 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 Kew, 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 substantial pre-war and interwar freestanding homes on large blocks, many under Kew Council's heritage conservation areas. Expect higher complexity on electrical and plumbing in original homes — hidden wiring runs, heritage joinery, and council approvals can all add cost. Most Melbourne tradies service Kew at standard rates, though some add a small travel fee of $23–40 depending on their base.

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Heritage overlay — Kew Council

Kew 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.

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Parking & access in Kew

Ample parking in residential streets. Large properties with driveways — not a factor.

How Kew compares to nearby suburbs

Local tip for this area: Heritage suburbs have higher trade costs, but you can offset this by bundling multiple small jobs into a single visit (saving repeat call-out fees), booking during standard business hours, and getting quotes from tradies based locally who factor in less travel time. Always check that quoted work includes parking costs upfront.

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

Suburb	Concreter rate	Zone
Hawthorn 🏛	Mid-ring	Good
Camberwell	Mid-ring	Good
Balwyn	Nearby	Good
Ivanhoe	Nearby	Good
Abbotsford	Mid-ring	Moderate

Most concreting jobs in Kew cost $3,390–$11,695

for a typical residential driveway

A standard plain concrete driveway in Kew costs $3,390–$7,795. Exposed aggregate runs $6,215–$11,695. Per-sqm rates start from $95/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $260/sqm for decorative finishes.

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

Average Concreting Cost in Kew

$155

per hour for standard residential work

Call-Out Fee

$80–$195

Emergency Rate

$325–$910

Common Job

$195–$520

Budget $105/hrAverage $155/hrPremium $260/hr

Concreting in Kew costs $95–$190 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $160–$260/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $3,390–$11,695 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 Kew and nearby suburbs, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.

Quick answerConcreting in Kew costs $95–$190 /sqm, with most averaging $140 /sqm. GST included — verified April 2026. Get free Kew quotes →

Detailed Pricing — Kew 2026

Service	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)	$95/sqm	$140	$190
Coloured concrete (per sqm)	$125/sqm	$180	$260
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)	$160/sqm	$210	$260
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)	$160/sqm	$205	$260
Polished concrete (per sqm)	$130/sqm	$220	$350
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)	$65/sqm	$85	$105
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)	$3,390total	$5,200	$7,795
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$6,215total	$8,420	$11,695
Concrete path / footpath	$95/sqm	$140	$210
Concrete patio / entertaining	$105/sqm	$165	$230
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)	$1,950total	$2,855	$4,550
Old concrete removal	$38/sqm	$65	$105

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 Kew

Kew is one of Melbourne's wealthiest suburbs with large period homes, many heritage-listed. Electricians working in Kew handle premium residential work — full home rewires costing $15,000–$30,000, smart home installations, landscape lighting for extensive gardens, and switchboard upgrades for high-demand households. The large block sizes mean longer cable runs and more complex outdoor electrical layouts.

Common concreting issues in Kew: Steep driveways need reinforced and slip-resistant finishes. Retaining walls on hillside blocks are often engineered structures. Exposed aggregate and honed finishes are standard expectations.

Access & parking: Generally good residential parking but steep driveways complicate heavy equipment delivery.

Concreting rates in Kew typically range from $55–$135/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $85/sqm. This reflects Kew's position in the inner premium zone of Melbourne, where higher demand, heritage properties, and access constraints push prices above the Melbourne metro average.

What Affects Concreting Costs in Kew

Finish type

Plain concrete ($95–$190/sqm in Kew) is the cheapest. Coloured ($125–$260/sqm), exposed aggregate ($160–$260/sqm), and polished ($130–$350/sqm) all cost progressively more.

Area size

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

Old concrete removal

Removing existing concrete in Kew adds $38–$105/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 Kew 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 Kew

Get quotes from licensed Kew 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 Kew

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in Kew?

How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in Kew?

How long does concrete take to cure?