Cost Guide

How much does concreting cost in North Lakes?

Q: How much does a concrete driveway cost in North Lakes?

Driveway costs in North Lakes 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 North Lakes, where properties feature mostly 1980s–2020s homes in established estates and new developments, driveway sizes and access conditions vary. Flat terrain and good access keep pour costs efficient.

Q: How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in North Lakes?

Exposed aggregate in North Lakes costs more per sqm than plain concrete, reflecting the premium finish and additional labour for washing and sealing. Prices are below the Brisbane average, reflecting modern housing stock that is quicker and easier to work on. 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 North Lakes, 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

Largely newer homes built post-2000, many still under 20 years old. Electrical and plumbing is generally in good shape — common work is upgrades and additions rather than replacements. Strong growth area with high tradie demand. North Lakes is in outer Brisbane — tradies from the inner city often add $35–$69 travel. Using a local Hills District tradie avoids this.

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Parking & access in North Lakes

Ample parking throughout. Modern estate with wide streets. Not a factor.

How North Lakes compares to nearby suburbs

Local tip for this area: Modern housing stock in the Hills means most jobs are faster and cheaper than older suburbs. Ask for fixed-price quotes rather than hourly — on modern homes, experienced tradies work quickly and fixed pricing gives you certainty. Check if your home is still under builder’s warranty before paying for defect-related repairs.

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

Suburb	Concreter rate	Zone
Mango Hill	Nearby	Good
Griffin	Nearby	Good
Kallangur	Nearby	Good
Deception Bay	Nearby	Good
Narangba	Nearby	Good

Most concreting jobs in North Lakes cost $2,622–$9,048

for a typical residential driveway

A standard plain concrete driveway in North Lakes costs $2,622–$6,031. Exposed aggregate runs $4,807–$9,048. Per-sqm rates start from $74/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $202/sqm for decorative finishes.

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

Average Concreting Cost in North Lakes

$120

per hour for standard residential work

Call-Out Fee

$60–$152

Emergency Rate

$253–$704

Common Job

$152–$400

Budget $78/hrAverage $120/hrPremium $202/hr

Concreting in North Lakes costs $74–$147 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $124–$202/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $2,622–$9,048 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 North Lakes and nearby suburbs, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.

Quick answerConcreting in North Lakes costs $74–$147 /sqm, with most averaging $110 /sqm. GST included — verified April 2026. Get free North Lakes quotes →

Detailed Pricing — North Lakes 2026

Service	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)	$74/sqm	$110	$147
Coloured concrete (per sqm)	$97/sqm	$138	$202
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)	$124/sqm	$161	$202
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)	$124/sqm	$156	$202
Polished concrete (per sqm)	$101/sqm	$170	$271
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)	$51/sqm	$64	$78
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)	$2,622total	$4,020	$6,031
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$4,807total	$6,514	$9,048
Concrete path / footpath	$74/sqm	$110	$161
Concrete patio / entertaining	$78/sqm	$129	$179
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)	$1,509total	$2,208	$3,519
Old concrete removal	$29/sqm	$51	$78

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 North Lakes

North Lakes is a rapidly growing master-planned community north of Brisbane. The housing is predominantly modern (2000s–2020s) with electrical systems that are generally in good condition. Electricians here focus on additions and upgrades — home theatre wiring, outdoor entertainment areas, EV charger installations, and solar panel systems. The modern builds mean less rewiring work but strong demand for new circuit additions and smart home integration.

Common concreting issues in North Lakes: New driveway extensions, outdoor entertaining slabs, and pool surrounds. Modern clay substrate with good compaction. Large flat blocks simplify all concrete work.

Access & parking: Excellent — wide streets and double garages throughout.

Concreting rates in North Lakes typically range from $44–$106/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $64/sqm. This reflects North Lakes's position in the hills zone of Brisbane, where good tradie supply and easier access keep prices below the Brisbane metro average.

What Affects Concreting Costs in North Lakes

Finish type

Plain concrete ($74–$147/sqm in North Lakes) is the cheapest. Coloured ($97–$202/sqm), exposed aggregate ($124–$202/sqm), and polished ($101–$271/sqm) all cost progressively more.

Area size

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

Old concrete removal

Removing existing concrete in North Lakes adds $29–$78/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 North Lakes 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 North Lakes

Get quotes from licensed North Lakes 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 North Lakes

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in North Lakes?

How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in North Lakes?

How long does concrete take to cure?