Cost Guide

How much does concreting cost in West End?

Q: How much does a concrete driveway cost in West End?

Driveway costs in West End 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 West End, where properties feature a mix of terraces, cottages, and inter-war homes, 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 West End?

Exposed aggregate in West End costs more per sqm than plain concrete, reflecting the premium finish and additional labour for washing and sealing. Prices are in the mid-to-upper range, reflecting moderate access difficulty and solid demand. 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 West End, 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

West End is almost entirely Victorian and Federation terraces, many with original wiring and plumbing. Heritage overlays apply in the conservation areas around Georgina and Lennox streets. Tradies in the inner west are experienced with this stock. Travel surcharges are rarely a factor — West End is well within the inner Brisbane tradie belt.

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Heritage overlay — City of Brisbane

West End 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 West End

Mixed — commercial areas along Boundary Street are tight, residential streets vary. Generally manageable for tradies.

How West End compares to nearby suburbs

Local tip for this area: The inner west has a healthy mix of tradies — from sole operators to larger firms. Sole traders often offer better rates for routine work, while larger firms may have better availability for urgent jobs. Ask neighbours for recommendations — word-of-mouth referrals often lead to the best value.

Prices shift suburb-to-suburb based on travel time, parking, and local housing stock.

Suburb	Concreter rate	Zone
South Brisbane	Inner	Difficult
Highgate Hill	Nearby	Good
Woolloongabba	Inner	Moderate
Dutton Park	Nearby	Good
East Brisbane	Nearby	Good

Most concreting jobs in West End cost $2,870–$9,904

for a typical residential driveway

A standard plain concrete driveway in West End costs $2,870–$6,601. Exposed aggregate runs $5,262–$9,904. Per-sqm rates start from $83/sqm for plain slabs and go up to $221/sqm for decorative finishes.

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

Average Concreting Cost in West End

$133

per hour for standard residential work

Call-Out Fee

$64–$166

Emergency Rate

$276–$768

Common Job

$166–$442

Budget $87/hrAverage $133/hrPremium $221/hr

Concreting in West End costs $83–$161 per sqm for a standard plain concrete slab, with decorative options like exposed aggregate running $133–$221/sqm. Most residential driveways fall in the $2,870–$9,904 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 West End and nearby suburbs, plus hipages, leading tradie platforms, and leading tradie platforms listings as of February 2026.

Quick answerConcreting in West End costs $83–$161 /sqm, with most averaging $120 /sqm. GST included — verified April 2026. Get free West End quotes →

Detailed Pricing — West End 2026

Service	Low	Typical	High
Plain concrete slab (per sqm)	$83/sqm	$120	$161
Coloured concrete (per sqm)	$106/sqm	$152	$221
Exposed aggregate (per sqm)	$133/sqm	$175	$221
Stamped / stencilled (per sqm)	$133/sqm	$170	$221
Polished concrete (per sqm)	$110/sqm	$189	$294
Spray-on resurfacing (per sqm)	$55/sqm	$74	$87
Driveway — plain (typical 40 sqm)	$2,870total	$4,402	$6,601
Driveway — exposed aggregate	$5,262total	$7,130	$9,904
Concrete path / footpath	$83/sqm	$120	$175
Concrete patio / entertaining	$87/sqm	$138	$198
Shed slab (typical 20 sqm)	$1,651total	$2,415	$3,850
Old concrete removal	$32/sqm	$55	$87

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.

What to Know About Concreting Work in West End

West End combines heritage character homes with modern medium-density development, creating diverse electrical work. Electricians handle everything from rewiring 1920s timber cottages to fitting out new apartment complexes. The suburb's rapid densification means many older homes are being renovated with modern electrical demands — induction cooktops, EV chargers, and home battery systems — requiring significant switchboard upgrades.

Common concreting issues in West End: Rear lane driveways and small courtyard slabs. Front footpaths often council-maintained. Limited scope per job but steady demand from investor-owners upgrading rental properties.

Access & parking: King Street corridor has no off-street parking — residential side streets are permit-only zones.

Concreting rates in West End typically range from $46–$115/sqm, with most concreters quoting around $74/sqm. This reflects West End's position in the inner zone of Brisbane, where moderate demand and mixed housing stock keep prices close to the Brisbane metro average.

What Affects Concreting Costs in West End

Finish type

Plain concrete ($83–$161/sqm in West End) is the cheapest. Coloured ($106–$221/sqm), exposed aggregate ($133–$221/sqm), and polished ($110–$294/sqm) all cost progressively more.

Area size

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

Old concrete removal

Removing existing concrete in West End adds $32–$87/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 West End 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 West End

Get quotes from licensed West End 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 West End

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in West End?

How much does exposed aggregate cost per sqm in West End?

How long does concrete take to cure?