Driveway cleaning cost in Adelaide
A standard concrete driveway clean in Adelaide runs $140 to $370, with most jobs around $230. Surface type, area and staining are what move the number - exposed aggregate and pavers cost more than plain concrete, and oil or rust stains add a treatment charge on top.
Quick answer — driveway cleaning cost in Brisbane
Before we get into what moves the number, here's where driveway and path cleaning sits in Adelaide in 2026.
| Job | Typical Adelaide range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Standard concrete driveway (single–double car) | $140–$370 (typical $230) |
| Concrete path / footpath | $92–$200 (typical $130) |
| Pool surrounds / paving | $140–$350 (typical $260) |
| Per-square-metre flat-surface rate | $2–$5/m² (typical $3/m²) |
| Pressure washing hourly rate | $37–$92/hr (typical $60/hr) |
| Exposed aggregate, paver or stencil-crete driveway | Quoted per job |
| Oil / rust stain treatment (add-on) | Quoted per job |
| Seal coat after cleaning | Quoted per job |
Rows from our Adelaide pressure washing table. Textured surfaces, stain treatment and sealing aren't priced there, so get them quoted.
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Most suburban concrete driveways come in around $230 for a straightforward clean. The spread above is almost entirely about three things: the surface you've got, how big it is, and what's staining it.
Driveways are priced by the square metre, not the hour
For a one-off driveway clean, most Adelaide operators quote either a flat job price or a per-square-metre rate ($2–$5/m², typical $3/m²). They'll look at the area, the surface and the condition and give you a number on the spot. Hourly pricing ($37–$92/hr, typical $60/hr) tends to surface only on odd or mixed jobs; for a defined slab, a fixed quote is the norm and it protects you from a slow day on the tools dragging the bill out.
Knowing your rough area lets you sense-check a quote. A single-car driveway is usually 15–20 m², a standard double 30–40 m², and a long driveway on a larger block or a deeper suburban Adelaide block can run 50 m² or more once you add the path to the front door. The bigger the area, the closer a plain-concrete drive sits to — or past — the top of our table's $140–$370 standard-driveway row. If a quote is wildly outside that for a normal concrete drive, it's worth asking what they're seeing that you aren't.
Surface is the single biggest price driver
Two driveways of the same size can quote very differently depending on the finish.
Plain trowelled concrete is the cheapest to clean. It's flat and hard, so a rotary surface cleaner glides across it and lifts dirt, mould and tyre marks quickly and evenly. This is the surface our table's standard-driveway row ($140–$370, typical $230) is built around.
Exposed aggregate costs more because the pebbled surface is textured. Grime settles into the gaps between the stones, and the operator can't run full pressure without dislodging aggregate, so it's slower, more careful work. It also tends to hold green mould in Adelaide's shadier southern and Hills-facing spots, which adds treatment time.
Pavers and stencil-crete sit in a similar bracket. Pavers have dozens of joints that trap dirt and weed growth, and the jointing sand can wash out under heavy pressure and need topping up afterwards. Stencilled and patterned concrete usually carries a decorative coating you want to clean without stripping, so it's handled gently.
If you're not certain what you've got, that's fine — but it's the first thing a good operator checks, and it's why a couple of photos or a quick site look-over gives a far more accurate quote than a number guessed over the phone.
Oil, rust and other stains
Plain dirt, mould and algae come off with water and the right technique. Stains are a different conversation, and they're where expectations need setting before the job rather than after.
Oil and grease from a parked car usually need a degreaser pre-treatment and hot water, not just pressure. Fresh spills generally lift well; oil that's soaked into porous concrete for years may only fade. Expect a separate stain-treatment charge, depending on how many patches there are and how deep they go.
Rust — from a trailer, a metal pot plant or bore-water sprinklers — needs a specific rust remover, not a harder blast. Tyre marks and battery acid respond to targeted chemicals too. The honest move from a good operator is a realistic outcome up front: "this will come up like new" versus "this will lighten but won't fully clear." If someone promises a perfect result on a decade-old oil stain sight unseen, be a little wary.
Sealing after the clean — worth it?
Sealing isn't essential, but on the textured surfaces it earns its keep. A seal coat — priced on top of the clean — makes exposed aggregate and pavers easier to keep clean, helps repel oil and grime, and can deepen the colour so the drive looks freshly laid. On plain concrete it's more of a nice-to-have than a need.
The practical tip: if the surface is due for a seal, get it quoted at the same time as the clean. The driveway has to be clean and fully dry before sealing anyway, so doing both in one mobilisation is cheaper than a separate call-out a fortnight later.
Getting an accurate driveway quote
Three things get you a quote you can rely on. First, send a photo or two — the surface type and condition are most of the price, and a good operator reads them straight off an image. Second, flag any stains specifically, so oil or rust treatment is in the quote rather than a surprise on the day. Third, ask what's included: is the path part of it, is moss treatment covered, is sealing extra?
A driveway clean is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost ways to lift the look of an Adelaide home — the drive and front path are the first thing visitors and buyers see. Get the surface and stains right in the quote, and there are very few surprises left to spring.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to pressure clean a driveway in Adelaide?
A standard concrete driveway clean in Adelaide typically costs $140 to $370, with most jobs around $230 (or $2 to $5 per square metre, typical $3/m²). Exposed aggregate, pavers and stencil-crete run higher because the textured surface is slower and more careful to clean, and oil or rust stain treatment is quoted on top.
Why does exposed aggregate cost more to clean than plain concrete?
Exposed aggregate is textured, so grime settles into the gaps between the stones and the operator cannot run full pressure without dislodging aggregate. That makes it slower, more careful work. It also tends to hold green mould in shaded, damp Adelaide spots, which adds treatment time.
Can a pressure wash remove oil stains from my driveway?
Sometimes. Fresh oil and grease usually lift with a degreaser pre-treatment and hot water. Oil that has soaked into porous concrete for years may only fade rather than clear completely. A good operator will give you a realistic outcome before the job rather than promising a perfect result sight unseen.
Should I seal my driveway after cleaning?
On textured surfaces like exposed aggregate and pavers, sealing (priced on top of the clean) makes the surface easier to keep clean, helps repel oil, and can deepen the colour. On plain concrete it is more of a nice-to-have. If you do want it sealed, get it quoted with the clean — the surface has to be clean and dry first anyway, so doing both in one visit is cheaper.
How do I get an accurate driveway cleaning quote?
Send a photo or two, since the surface type and condition are most of the price. Flag any oil or rust stains specifically so treatment is in the quote. And ask what is included - whether the path is part of it, whether moss treatment is covered, and whether sealing is extra.
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