Updated May 2026· Independently researched·14 min read
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.
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Heritage overlay — Inner West Council
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.
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Parking & access in Richmond
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
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.
Most concreting jobs in Richmond cost $3,270–$11,280
for a typical residential driveway
A standard plain concrete driveway in Richmond costs $3,270–$7,520. Exposed aggregate runs $5,995–$11,280. Per-sqm rates start from $95/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $250/sqm for decorative finishes.
+6.8%Concreting costs in Richmond have risen this quarter, driven by strong construction activity and trade shortages.Q1 2026 vs Q4 2025
Average Concreting Cost in Richmond
$150
per hour for standard residential work
Call-Out Fee
$75–$190
Emergency Rate
$315–$875
Common Job
$190–$500
Budget $100/hrAverage $150/hrPremium $250/hr
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 leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.
Quick answerConcreting in Richmond costs $95–$185 /sqm, with most averaging $135 /sqm. GST included — verified May 2026. Get free Richmond quotes →
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 verified May 2026 · Cross-referenced against 90+ Australian trade pricing sources · See methodology
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.
How to Save Money on Concreting in Richmond
1
Get quotes from licensed Richmond concreters — prices vary widely
2
Ask for an all-inclusive price covering excavation, formwork, reinforcement, concrete, and finishing
3
Check if old concrete removal is included or quoted separately
4
Ask about expansion joints and control joints — proper jointing prevents cracking
5
Consider combining jobs (driveway + path + patio) for a better per-sqm rate in Richmond
6
Verify the concreter is licensed and insured — Richmond councils may require approval for larger slabs
Before you commit — compare your options
Side-by-side guides covering the decisions that most change your final concreting cost.
How much does a concrete driveway cost in Richmond?
Driveway costs in Richmond 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 Richmond, 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.
How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in Richmond?
Exposed aggregate in Richmond 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.
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 Richmond, 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.
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, leading tradie marketplaces, peak industry body data, and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our guides are independently produced — we don't employ tradespeople and have no commercial relationship with any service provider. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get multiple quotes. Last reviewed May 2026. Read our full methodology →