Concrete work is one of those trades where Perth homeowners often go into the quoting process without a clear benchmark, which makes it harder to assess whether a quote is reasonable or not. Pricing varies depending on the type of job, the finish specified, site conditions, and the time of year. Here is a straightforward breakdown of what to expect across the most common residential concreting jobs in Perth.
Driveways – the Most Common Job
A standard plain concrete driveway for a Perth suburban property – double width, from the street to a single or double garage – typically costs somewhere between $4,000 and $7,500 depending on size, site access, and whether any tree root damage or subgrade preparation is required before the pour. These figures cover supply, labour, formwork, and basic finishing but do not always include removal of an existing driveway, so confirm with your concreter whether demolition and disposal is included in their quote or priced separately.
Exposed aggregate driveways carry a premium over plain concrete – typically an additional $20 to $40 per square metre depending on the aggregate selected and the complexity of the finish. That premium is generally worth considering for a driveway, where surface durability and long-term appearance matter more than they do for a functional path or utility slab. Honed concrete sits in a similar price range to exposed aggregate and is increasingly popular in Perth’s inner and southern suburbs for its cleaner aesthetic.
Slabs – Sheds, Alfresco Areas, and Extensions
A shed slab for a standard single or double garage in Perth typically ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on size, reinforcement specification, and whether any cut-and-fill is required to level the site. Alfresco slabs are in a similar range, with pricing affected by shape complexity, access to the rear of the property, and any step or level changes involved.
For slabs that form part of a permitted building project – a granny flat, a room addition, or anything requiring a building permit – the specification requirements are more prescriptive. The engineer’s design will dictate the mix strength, reinforcement, and thickness, and these requirements affect the cost. A concreter working off an engineering specification is pricing a more defined scope than one quoting a simple backyard slab, and the price will reflect that.
Paths, Steps, and Smaller Jobs
Concrete paths around a residential property typically run from $80 to $150 per square metre for plain concrete, depending on width, length, and accessibility. Steps and level changes add to the complexity and the price. For smaller jobs, many concreters apply a minimum call-out or minimum job value, so a short path or a single step repair may be priced at a flat minimum rather than a per-square-metre rate.
Decorative finishes on paths – exposed aggregate, stencilled patterns, or a brushed finish – add to the per-square-metre cost but can make a meaningful difference to the overall presentation of an outdoor space, particularly when the path connects to a driveway or entertaining area with a matching or complementary finish.
What Drives Price Variation in Perth
Location affects concreting costs more than most homeowners expect. A job in a suburb with easy truck access and level ground is priced differently to the same job on a sloped block in a suburb with restricted street access. Perth’s summer heat affects concrete work significantly – experienced concreters adjust their pour timing and curing process during hot weather, and jobs scheduled in the cooler months are sometimes more competitively priced because the logistics are more straightforward.
Getting two or three written quotes for any concreting job over $2,000 is worthwhile, not just for price comparison but to understand how different operators approach the scope. A quote that specifies mix strength, pour thickness, reinforcement type, and curing method is giving you something to compare. A quote that is just a lump sum with no detail is not.
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