Cost Guide

How much does concreting cost in New Farm?

Q: How much does a concrete driveway cost in New Farm?

Driveway costs in New Farm 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 New Farm, 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 New Farm?

Exposed aggregate in New Farm 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 New Farm, 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

A mix of 1920s–1940s apartment blocks, red-brick semis, and post-war freestanding homes. Many properties have original knob-and-tube or early conduit wiring and galvanised plumbing that's due for replacement. Travel surcharges are rarely a factor — New Farm is well within the inner Brisbane tradie belt.

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Parking & access in New Farm

Limited parking around Brunswick Street and the Powerhouse. Residential streets are generally OK with time limits.

How New Farm 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
Teneriffe 🏛	Inner	Limited
Fortitude Valley 🏛	Inner	Very limited
Newstead	Nearby	Good
Bowen Hills	Nearby	Good
Spring Hill 🏛	Inner	Difficult

Most concreting jobs in New Farm cost $3,036–$10,474

for a typical residential driveway

A standard plain concrete driveway in New Farm costs $3,036–$6,983. Exposed aggregate runs $5,566–$10,474. Per-sqm rates start from $87/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $235/sqm for decorative finishes.

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

Average Concreting Cost in New Farm

$138

per hour for standard residential work

Call-Out Fee

$69–$175

Emergency Rate

$290–$814

Common Job

$175–$465

Budget $92/hrAverage $138/hrPremium $235/hr

Concreting in New Farm costs $87–$170 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $143–$235/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $3,036–$10,474 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 New Farm and nearby suburbs, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.

Quick answerConcreting in New Farm costs $87–$170 /sqm, with most averaging $129 /sqm. GST included — verified April 2026. Get free New Farm quotes →

Detailed Pricing — New Farm 2026

Service	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)	$87/sqm	$129	$170
Coloured concrete (per sqm)	$110/sqm	$161	$235
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)	$143/sqm	$189	$235
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)	$143/sqm	$184	$235
Polished concrete (per sqm)	$115/sqm	$198	$313
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)	$60/sqm	$78	$92
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)	$3,036total	$4,655	$6,983
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$5,566total	$7,539	$10,474
Concrete path / footpath	$87/sqm	$129	$189
Concrete patio / entertaining	$92/sqm	$147	$207
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)	$1,748total	$2,558	$4,076
Old concrete removal	$34/sqm	$60	$92

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

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

What to Know About Concreting Work in New Farm

New Farm is one of Brisbane's most sought-after inner-city suburbs with a mix of heritage Queenslanders, Art Deco apartments, and modern riverside developments. Electricians working here encounter the unique challenges of Queenslander homes — raised timber construction with sub-floor wiring, old ceramic fuse boxes, and the need to upgrade electrical systems while preserving the character of these iconic homes. The heritage overlay across much of the suburb requires concealed wiring methods.

Common concreting issues in New Farm: Salt air degrades exposed concrete — marine-grade sealers are essential. Apartment balcony repairs require structural engineer certification. Driveway crossovers need Waverley Council approval.

Access & parking: Difficult near the beach strip — most tradies quote 15–30 min travel buffer for Campbell Parade jobs.

Concreting rates in New Farm typically range from $51–$120/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $78/sqm. This reflects New Farm's position in the inner premium zone of Brisbane, where higher demand, heritage properties, and access constraints push prices above the Brisbane metro average.

What Affects Concreting Costs in New Farm

Finish type

Plain concrete ($87–$170/sqm in New Farm) is the cheapest. Coloured ($110–$235/sqm), exposed aggregate ($143–$235/sqm), and polished ($115–$313/sqm) all cost progressively more.

Area size

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

Old concrete removal

Removing existing concrete in New Farm adds $34–$92/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 New Farm 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 New Farm

Get quotes from licensed New Farm 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 New Farm

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in New Farm?

How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in New Farm?

How long does concrete take to cure?