Last Updated on October, 2024
Are you planning to put in a concrete driveway and wondering about the cost?
Concrete driveways are durable and low maintenance, but what goes into the price tag?
Let’s explore.
Quick Summary
- The cost of installing a concrete driveway in Australia ranges from $75-$250 per square metre, depending on factors like the type of concrete used, with plain concrete being the most affordable and decorative options like coloured or stencilled concrete being more expensive.
- Several factors influence the overall cost, including the size of the driveway, type of concrete, location, and preparation work required. For instance, sloping driveways and complex designs cost more.
- To save money on driveway installation, you can get multiple quotes, choose quieter seasons for construction, opt for affordable materials, and use recycled materials in the concrete mix.
How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?
The average cost of installing a plain concrete driveway in Australia is around $75-95 per square metre.
Decorative concrete driveways cost more, and it’s around $200-$250 per square metre, depending on the material used.
You will have to spend $10 more for each square metre to install a sloping driveway than a flat block.
The overall cost of a driveway depends on several factors, such as location, size, materials, etc.
Different Driveway Materials and Concrete Driveway Costs
You can use different materials to construct a driveway, which will significantly affect the cost. Let’s look at the most common materials used to build driveways and their costs.
Plain Concrete Driveway
A plain concrete driveway costs around $75-$85 per square metre, and is a cost-effective option for a large driveway.
Plain concrete driveways can last 20-30 years with proper maintenance, and they can carry the weight of heavy vehicles.
It looks plain, but is less resistant to stains compared to other types.
Coloured Concrete Driveway
Coloured concrete driveways cost around $120-$180 per square metre.
It’s stain-resistant, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing. If you want to customise your driveway to match your home and landscaping features, this is the best option.
Exposed Aggregate Driveway
Exposed aggregate driveways, also known as pebblecrete, cost around $100- $150 per square metre.
It’s durable, stain-resistant, and provides a significant curb appeal. If you have a sloping land and wet climate, this is the perfect choice.
Pebblecrete is suitable for refurbishing an existing driveway. You just have to clean and repair the cracks on the concrete slab and then pour pebblecrete over it.
Stamped Concrete Driveway
Stamped concrete costs $90-$135 per square metre for a basic design and around $200 for complex patterns.
In concrete stamping, different designs like bricks, paving stones, etc, are stamped on the concrete slab in more than one colour to give your driveway texture.
However, these driveways attract a higher price tag due to the complexity of the process.
Read about our Stamped Concrete Driveway Service.
Stencilled Concrete Driveway
In a stencilled concrete driveway, different patterns are applied to standard concrete.
You can discuss the pattern and colour with your concrete contractor. The cost may vary between $100-$150 per square metre depending on the complexity of the design.
Factors Affecting Concrete Driveway Cost
The cost of your concrete driveway project depends on a few factors.
- Size
The cost of installing a driveway is calculated on a square metre basis. So, the cost will be high for larger driveways.
Note: Many local councils in Australia require a minimum width of three metres to construct a driveway.
- Type of concrete
You can choose from different materials such as coloured, stamped, exposed, aggregate, and plain.
Plain concrete is the cheapest, and stamped and stencilled concrete will cost more.
- Location
The average cost for installing driveways varies in different locations within Australia. Constructing a driveway in a sloping area costs more than that on flat land.
- Preparation work
Preparation works such as excavation, clearing the existing concrete, plumbing, and proper drainage construction affect the total driveway installation cost.
- Other factors
Factors such as local regulations and permits from the local council, ease of access to the property, quality of the workmanship, and the complexity of the patterns you require affect the total driveway cost.
Cost of Concrete Driveway Resurfacing
Resurfacing a driveway takes less time and materials.
You don’t have additional costs for concrete disposal, site preparation, drainage installation, etc.
The above factors reduce the cost of resurfacing a driveway by 50% compared to rebuilding.
However, you must consider the condition of your old driveway and whether it’s suitable for resurfacing.
Building a new driveway is a straightforward process, but rebuilding an existing driveway involves additional fees for excavation, disposal, and permits for operating heavy machinery.
How to Estimate the Cost of Concrete Driveways?
You can do a rough estimate of the cost ranges for your driveway with the following method:
- Measure the length and width of your driveway and convert it to square metres.
- Decide the type of concrete you want and enquire about its cost from a local shop.
- Add associated fees such as transport, old concrete disposal, etc.
It’s better to contact a concreting professional for accurate measurements and costs.
Tips to Reduce New Concrete Driveway Costs
Below are some actions you can take to save money while constructing a driveway:
- Get quotations from multiple concreting services and choose the cheapest one.
- Avoid the busy time for builders and try to do it in quieter seasons.
- Check the weather conditions as poor weather can slow down the work.
- Avoid expensive materials and choose affordable options.
- Use recycled materials in the concrete mix.
Note: While choosing a concreting service, check whether they have a concreter’s licence and check their previous work to ensure quality.
Summary
Installing a concrete driveway costs around $75-$200 for a square metre. The exact cost varies depending on the size, location, concrete type, etc.
Plain concrete is the most cost-effective driveway, while coloured and stencilled driveways cost more.
Ask for building quotes from various construction services before choosing one.
