How much does concreting cost in Richmond?
Richmond is one of Melbourne's most heritage-dense suburbs. Victorian miners' cottages and Federation terraces dominate, most under Inner West Council conservation area controls. Rewiring, replumbing and any structural work requires careful attention to heritage conditions. Expect a 10–20% premium over inner-city average for complex heritage jobs. Travel surcharges are rarely a factor — Richmond is well within the inner Melbourne tradie belt.
Richmond 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.
Generally available in residential streets. Bridge Road and Victoria Street commercial strips are harder. Not a major factor for most residential jobs.
How Richmond compares to nearby suburbs
Prices shift suburb-to-suburb based on travel time, parking, and local housing stock.
| Suburb | Concreter rate | Zone | Tradie supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cremorne | Nearby | Good | |
| South Yarra | Inner | Moderate | |
| Collingwood 🏛 | Inner | Mixed | |
| Abbotsford | Mid-ring | Moderate | |
| Hawthorn 🏛 | Mid-ring | Good |
Concreting in Richmond costs $95–$185 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $155–$250/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $3,270–$11,280 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 Richmond and nearby suburbs, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.
Detailed Pricing — Richmond 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) | $155/sqm | $200 | $250 |
| Stamped / stencilled (per sqm) | $155/sqm | $195 | $250 |
| Polished concrete (per sqm) | $125/sqm | $215 | $340 |
| Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm) | $60/sqm | $80 | $100 |
| Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm) | $3,270total | $5,015 | $7,520 |
| Driveway — exposed aggregate | $5,995total | $8,120 | $11,280 |
| Concrete path / footpath | $95/sqm | $135 | $200 |
| Concrete patio / entertaining | $100/sqm | $160 | $225 |
| Shed slab (typical 20 sqm) | $1,880total | $2,750 | $4,385 |
| Old concrete removal | $37/sqm | $60 | $100 |
Prices include GST. Based on Melbourne metro area, Mar 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
What to Know About Concreting Work in Richmond
Richmond combines heritage workers' cottages with modern apartment developments, particularly along the Yarra corridor. Electricians working on the older housing stock (pre-1940) regularly find aluminium wiring, outdated fuse boxes, and inadequate earthing that needs rectification. The suburb's density means many homes share boundary walls, which can complicate cable routing for switchboard upgrades.
Common concreting issues in Richmond: Very limited vehicular access — hand-mixed or pumped concrete only. Sandstone base rock often encountered in excavation. Retaining walls on steep harbour-facing blocks are common.
Access & parking: Notoriously difficult — one-way streets and no off-street parking add time to every job.
Concreting rates in Richmond typically range from $55–$130/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $80/sqm. This reflects Richmond'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 Richmond
Finish type
Plain concrete ($95–$185/sqm in Richmond) is the cheapest. Coloured ($120–$250/sqm), exposed aggregate ($155–$250/sqm), and polished ($125–$340/sqm) all cost progressively more.
Area size
Larger areas in Richmond 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 Richmond site easily, manual labour increases costs. Sloping blocks, retaining walls, or soft soil may need extra preparation.
Old concrete removal
Removing existing concrete in Richmond 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 Richmond conditions. Very hot or very cold weather can affect scheduling and may require additives, which add to the cost.