Cost Guide

How much does concreting cost in Manly?

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

Driveway costs in Manly 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 Manly, 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 Manly?

Exposed aggregate in Manly 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 Manly, 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

Mix of Federation homes, interwar apartments and post-war development. The distance from the Sydney CBD (especially without a direct motorway) means tradies from the mainland add travel time — the Manly ferry is popular but impractical for tools. Most Sydney tradies service Manly at standard rates, though some add a small travel fee of $22–40 depending on their base.

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Parking & access in Manly

Parking near the Corso and beachfront is very limited. Tradies working in central Manly often factor extra time into quotes. Side streets are better.

How Manly 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 — Northern Beaches operators servicing the lower North Shore, or upper North Shore 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	Tradie supply
Dee Why	$75–$130/m²	Mid-ring	Moderate

Most concreting jobs in Manly cost $3,240–$11,180

for a typical residential driveway

A standard plain concrete driveway in Manly costs $3,240–$7,450. Exposed aggregate runs $5,940–$11,180. Per-sqm rates start from $95/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $250/sqm for decorative finishes.

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

Average Concreting Cost in Manly

$150

per hour for standard residential work

Call-Out Fee

$75–$185

Emergency Rate

$310–$870

Common Job

$185–$495

Budget $100/hrAverage $150/hrPremium $250/hr

Concreting in Manly costs $95–$185 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $150–$250/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $3,240–$11,180 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 Manly and nearby suburbs, plus leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.

Quick answerConcreting in Manly costs $95–$185 /sqm, with most averaging $135 /sqm. GST included — verified April 2026. Get free Manly quotes →

Detailed Pricing — Manly 2026

Service	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)	$95/sqm	$135	$185
Coloured concrete (per sqm)	$120/sqm	$175	$250
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)	$150/sqm	$200	$250
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)	$150/sqm	$195	$250
Polished concrete (per sqm)	$125/sqm	$210	$335
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)	$60/sqm	$80	$100
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)	$3,240total	$4,970	$7,450
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$5,940total	$8,045	$11,180
Concrete path / footpath	$95/sqm	$135	$200
Concrete patio / entertaining	$100/sqm	$155	$220
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)	$1,865total	$2,725	$4,345
Old concrete removal	$37/sqm	$60	$100

Prices verified April 2026 · Cross-referenced against 90+ Australian trade pricing sources · See methodology

Prices include GST. Based on Sydney metro area, Mar 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.

What to Know About Concreting Work in Manly

Manly property profile: Federation cottages, inter-war bungalows, 1960s apartment blocks, and renovated beach houses from the 1910s–1970s era. Premium beachside suburb on the Northern Beaches with ferry access and strong tourism.

Common concreting issues in Manly: Pool surrounds, outdoor entertainment areas, and driveway replacements. Marine-grade sealers mandatory for exposed surfaces. Sandy substrate requires deeper footings than clay areas.

Access & parking: Very difficult near the Corso and beachfront — residential areas further from the beach are easier.

Concreting rates in Manly typically range from $55–$130/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $80/sqm. This reflects Manly's position in the north shore zone of Sydney, where higher demand, heritage properties, and access constraints push prices above the Sydney metro average.

What Affects Concreting Costs in Manly

Finish type

Plain concrete ($95–$185/sqm in Manly) is the cheapest. Coloured ($120–$250/sqm), exposed aggregate ($150–$250/sqm), and polished ($125–$335/sqm) all cost progressively more.

Area size

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

Old concrete removal

Removing existing concrete in Manly adds $37–$100/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 Manly 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 Manly

Get quotes from licensed Manly 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 Manly

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in Manly?

How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in Manly?

How long does concrete take to cure?