Cost Guide

How much does concreting cost in Paddington?

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

Driveway costs in Paddington 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 Paddington, 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 Paddington?

Exposed aggregate in Paddington 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 Paddington, 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

One of Sydney's densest heritage terrace precincts. Most homes are Victorian or Edwardian terraces under Woollahra Council's heritage overlay. Electrical work often requires concealed cabling runs, and any structural changes need council sign-off, adding time and cost. Travel surcharges are rarely a factor — Paddington is well within the inner Sydney tradie belt.

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Heritage overlay — Woollahra Council

Paddington 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 Paddington

Paddington's narrow streets and terrace-lined rows make parking genuinely difficult — tradies with large vans often need to park 1–2 streets away and carry tools. Expect this to be factored into quotes.

How Paddington 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	Tradie supply
Surry Hills Heritage	$70–$120/m²	Inner	Plentiful

Most concreting jobs in Paddington cost $3,330–$11,490

for a typical residential driveway

A standard plain concrete driveway in Paddington costs $3,330–$7,660. Exposed aggregate runs $6,105–$11,490. Per-sqm rates start from $95/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $255/sqm for decorative finishes.

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

Average Concreting Cost in Paddington

$155

per hour for standard residential work

Call-Out Fee

$75–$190

Emergency Rate

$320–$895

Common Job

$190–$510

Budget $100/hrAverage $155/hrPremium $255/hr

Concreting in Paddington costs $95–$190 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $155–$255/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $3,330–$11,490 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 Paddington and nearby suburbs, plus leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.

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

Detailed Pricing — Paddington 2026

Service	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)	$95/sqm	$140	$190
Coloured concrete (per sqm)	$120/sqm	$180	$255
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)	$155/sqm	$205	$255
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)	$155/sqm	$200	$255
Polished concrete (per sqm)	$130/sqm	$215	$345
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)	$65/sqm	$85	$100
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)	$3,330total	$5,105	$7,660
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$6,105total	$8,270	$11,490
Concrete path / footpath	$95/sqm	$140	$205
Concrete patio / entertaining	$100/sqm	$160	$230
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)	$1,915total	$2,805	$4,470
Old concrete removal	$38/sqm	$65	$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 Paddington

Paddington property profile: Victorian terraces, some Edwardian semis, and boutique apartment conversions from the 1860s–1900s era. Affluent heritage precinct with steep narrow streets and iron-lace balconies.

Common concreting issues in Paddington: Heritage overlays restrict driveway materials and finishes. Steep sites need engineered retaining before any slab work. Most jobs require hand-mixing or pump delivery due to access constraints.

Access & parking: Metered parking throughout — tradies regularly add $20–$40 to quotes for parking costs.

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

What Affects Concreting Costs in Paddington

Finish type

Plain concrete ($95–$190/sqm in Paddington) is the cheapest. Coloured ($120–$255/sqm), exposed aggregate ($155–$255/sqm), and polished ($130–$345/sqm) all cost progressively more.

Area size

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

Old concrete removal

Removing existing concrete in Paddington adds $38–$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 Paddington 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 Paddington

Get quotes from licensed Paddington 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 Paddington

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in Paddington?

How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in Paddington?

How long does concrete take to cure?