How much does concreting cost in South Brisbane?
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.
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.
Difficult in the Cultural Centre and Grey Street precinct. Residential streets slightly better with permit zones.
How South Brisbane compares to nearby suburbs
Prices shift suburb-to-suburb based on travel time, parking, and local housing stock.
| Suburb | Concreter rate | Zone | Tradie supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| West End | Inner | Mixed | |
| Woolloongabba | Inner | Moderate | |
| Highgate Hill | Nearby | Good | |
| Kangaroo Point | Nearby | Good | |
| South Bank | Nearby | Good |
Concreting in South Brisbane costs $75–$150 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $120–$200/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $2,600–$9,000 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, plus hipages, ServiceSeeking, and Airtasker listings as of July 2026.
Detailed Pricing — South Brisbane 2026
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain concrete slab (per sqm) | $75/sqm | $110 | $150 |
| Coloured concrete (per sqm) | $95/sqm | $140 | $200 |
| Exposed aggregate (per sqm) | $120/sqm | $160 | $200 |
| Stamped / stencilled (per sqm) | $120/sqm | $155 | $200 |
| Polished concrete (per sqm) | $100/sqm | $170 | $270 |
| Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm) | $50/sqm | $65 | $80 |
| Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm) | $2,600total | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Driveway — exposed aggregate | $4,800total | $6,500 | $9,000 |
| Concrete path / footpath | $75/sqm | $110 | $160 |
| Concrete patio / entertaining | $80/sqm | $125 | $180 |
| Shed slab (typical 20 sqm) | $1,500total | $2,200 | $3,500 |
| Old concrete removal | $30/sqm | $50 | $80 |
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Prices include GST. Based on Brisbane metro area, Mar 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
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 ($75–$150/sqm in South Brisbane) is the cheapest. Coloured ($95–$200/sqm), exposed aggregate ($120–$200/sqm), and polished ($100–$270/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 $30–$80/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
Frequently Asked Questions
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 price guides are produced independently. Pricing is compiled from public quotes, industry rate guides, and marketplace data, and no tradesperson can influence a published figure. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get multiple quotes. Last reviewed July 2026. Read our full methodology →