Updated April 2026· Independently researched·14 min read
Dense Victorian and Federation terrace housing, many under City of Brisbane heritage controls. Rewiring and replumbing old terraces is bread-and-butter work for inner-city tradies here, and most are experienced with the constraints. Travel surcharges are rarely a factor — South Brisbane is well within the inner Brisbane tradie belt.
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Heritage overlay — City of Brisbane
South Brisbane 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 South Brisbane
Difficult in the Cultural Centre and Grey Street precinct. Residential streets slightly better with permit zones.
How South Brisbane 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 South Brisbane cost $3,091–$10,663
for a typical residential driveway
A standard plain concrete driveway in South Brisbane costs $3,091–$7,112. Exposed aggregate runs $5,667–$10,663. Per-sqm rates start from $87/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $239/sqm for decorative finishes.
+6.8%Concreting costs in South Brisbane have risen this quarter, driven by strong construction activity and trade shortages.Q1 2026 vs Q4 2025
Average Concreting Cost in South Brisbane
$143
per hour for standard residential work
Call-Out Fee
$69–$179
Emergency Rate
$299–$828
Common Job
$179–$474
Budget $97/hrAverage $143/hrPremium $239/hr
Concreting in South Brisbane costs $87–$175 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $143–$239/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $3,091–$10,663 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 South Brisbane and nearby suburbs, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.
Quick answerConcreting in South Brisbane costs $87–$175 /sqm, with most averaging $129 /sqm. GST included — verified April 2026. Get free South Brisbane quotes →
Detailed Pricing — South Brisbane 2026
Service
Low
Typical
High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)
$87/sqm
$129
$175
Coloured concrete (per sqm)
$115/sqm
$166
$239
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)
$143/sqm
$189
$239
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)
$143/sqm
$184
$239
Polished concrete (per sqm)
$120/sqm
$202
$317
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)
$60/sqm
$78
$97
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)
$3,091total
$4,738
$7,112
Driveway — exposed aggregate
$5,667total
$7,677
$10,663
Concrete path / footpath
$87/sqm
$129
$189
Concrete patio / entertaining
$97/sqm
$147
$212
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)
$1,776total
$2,604
$4,149
Old concrete removal
$35/sqm
$60
$97
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.
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What to Know About Concreting Work in South Brisbane
South Brisbane is a mix of cultural precinct, high-density residential, and pockets of heritage housing. Electricians working here handle apartment fitouts in the numerous new developments, as well as renovation work on the remaining heritage cottages. The high-density environment means strata approval is often required before electrical work can commence in apartment buildings.
Common concreting issues in South Brisbane: Limited vehicle access means concrete pumping is almost always required (add $460–$1,380). Sandstone substrate complicates footings. Council heritage approvals may be needed for driveways or front paths.
Access & parking: Extremely limited street parking — most tradies factor in 20–30 minutes of parking time or paid parking costs.
Concreting rates in South Brisbane typically range from $51–$124/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $78/sqm. This reflects South Brisbane'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 South Brisbane
Finish type
Plain concrete ($87–$175/sqm in South Brisbane) is the cheapest. Coloured ($115–$239/sqm), exposed aggregate ($143–$239/sqm), and polished ($120–$317/sqm) all cost progressively more.
Area size
Larger areas in South Brisbane 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 South Brisbane site easily, manual labour increases costs. Sloping blocks, retaining walls, or soft soil may need extra preparation.
Old concrete removal
Removing existing concrete in South Brisbane adds $35–$97/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 South Brisbane 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 South Brisbane
1
Get quotes from licensed South Brisbane 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 South Brisbane
6
Verify the concreter is licensed and insured — South Brisbane councils may require approval for larger slabs
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a concrete driveway cost in South Brisbane?
Driveway costs in South Brisbane 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 South Brisbane, 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 South Brisbane?
Exposed aggregate in South Brisbane 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 South Brisbane, 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 April 2026. Read our full methodology →
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