Last Updated on January, 2025
Have you been looking to switch to a concrete driveway, but you don’t know how much damage your wallet would take? Well, look no further. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the cost of a concrete driveway project.
Quick Summary
- In Australia, a basic concrete driveway costs between $75 and $95 per square metre, while decorative options like stamped or exposed aggregate concrete can increase costs to $200 per square metre or more.
- The total cost of a concrete driveway depends on several factors, including the size, type of concrete (e.g., plain, coloured, stamped), design complexity, and additional costs like excavation, drainage, or reinforcement.
- To lower costs, homeowners can opt for plain concrete instead of decorative types, prepare the site themselves, and compare multiple contractor quotes to find the best deal.
How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?
The cost of a concrete driveway would amount to $75 to $95 per square metre in Australia. While a plain concrete driveway is much cheaper, a more decorative concrete option may inflate the cost to $200 per square metre.
That being said, the cost ranges may vary due to factors like the size, type of concrete, and the aesthetic you are going for.
Relevant guides:
Factors Affecting the Cost of a New Plain Concrete Driveway
The final concrete driveway cost depends on a few factors, such as size, type, and design. The overall length of the existing driveway is the main component in the final total cost. A large driveway tends to cost more as it requires more materials and labour.
The type of driveway you choose will also affect the overall cost. A significant part of the final price is the concrete cost.
Basic concrete driveways are the more affordable option, while exposed aggregate driveways, coloured concrete, or stamped concrete driveways tend to be more expensive.
The cost of a concrete driveway installation may also vary based on how intricate the designs are. The more unique and complex the design, the more expertise and time required, and the more it increases the driveway cost.
Additionally, if you need to demolish your existing driveway, or carry out a concrete driveway resurfacing, it may add more to your final cost. Other factors like access to your location or whether you have a sloping driveway, may also affect the price.
If your driveway is narrow and on sloping land, it is harder to access, and the crew may need more concrete installation materials.
Different Concrete Driveways Cost By Type
Not all concrete costs are the same; the types differ in aesthetics and materials used. A plain concrete driveway may cost c$65 to $95 per square metre, and it provides a wide variety of finishes.
Plain grey concrete may lack uniqueness, but it is a safe and pragmatic choice, while also being budget-friendly.
A coloured concrete driveway costs around $75 to $90 per square metre. Coloured concrete is made by adding colouring pigment to the water, and you can choose from a wide spectrum of colours.
A stamped concrete driveway is where you stamp wet concrete with intricate designs and patterns that emulate the look of bricks, or paving stones.
Unique patterns made by concrete stamping or stencils can come in more than one colour, and give your driveway texture by imitating a natural stone look.
A stencilled concrete driveway costs between $100 to $150 per square metre.
An exposed aggregate driveway has the effect of revealing the stones in the concrete. You can expect to pay between $100 to $150 per square metre.
If you only need to resurface your existing concrete driveway, the total driveway cost may depend on the type of concrete slab.
Resurfacing concrete costs can range from $30 per square metre for plain concrete to $150 for exposed concrete.
Additional Costs to Consider
You may need to consider associated fees in addition to the general cost per square metre for the driveway materials. Site excavation and preparation are crucial.
Preparation work such as removing debris from the old driveway, levelling the ground, and ensuring proper drainage may range from $500 to $2,000, depending on the project scale.
Investing in steel mesh or rebar may be essential to ensure durability for your concrete driveway. Depending on the size and level of reinforcement, this may add to your total concrete driveway cost by $500 to $1,000 on average.
A drainage system is also vital to prevent water pooling and damage to your new driveway. You may expect to pay $500-$1,500 for installing a drainage system like a French or channel drain, based on the complexity and how many square metres your driveway is.
Maintenance of the driveway helps in lengthening its life span. Repairing any cracks or potholes instead of replacing the entire driveway, or removing oil stains using detergent are just some ways you can reduce costs.
How to Reduce the Cost of a New Concrete Driveway?
Here are a couple of tips to save money while getting an accurate estimate before settling on a quotation from your concrete contractor.
One way to reduce the cost of a driveway is to opt for standard concrete instead of decorative options like stamped or stained concrete. While a decorative option may improve curb appeal, it may also spike average costs.
Choosing a basic finish can be cost-saving, unlike finishes like exposed aggregate concrete. Using recycled materials in the concrete mix tends to be cheaper as well.
Another essential tip is to plan and prepare the site. Cleaning out your existing driveways ahead of time and clearing out any debris can help reduce the hours contractors spend, which reduces the cost significantly.
Moreover, ensure that you get quotes from multiple contractors and choose from a reliable driveway installer who has worked in your area. Getting your entire driveway done during off-peak season can also help you save money.
FAQs
Conclusion
While you can save 30-40% of the cost by doing it yourself, assuming you have a concrete supplier, an industrial mixer, and various other tools, it is better to hire a professional contractor
.In summary, the national average cost for a concrete driveway is $75-$95 per square metre, but this may increase based on many factors considered above.
