Concreters Guides & Resources

How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?

A poured in place concrete driveway is a higher-end style of installation because the concrete mix is shaped in place. The price of a concrete driveway can vary depending on the size, design and type. Typically an entry-level driveway costs between $70 and $90 per square metre. For a more decorative driveway, you can expect to pay between $80 and $150 per square metre. ## Unsealed concrete driveway cost An entry level unsealed concrete driveway costs around $70 to $90 per square metre. An unsealed driveway is made from a [plain concrete slab](/guides/concrete-products/what-is-a-concrete-slab), normally around 150mm thick and can be as wide as required. The plain concrete is not coloured concrete or textured and will need to be sealed with oil or paint after installation to prevent it from being damaged by environmental factors such as sun, rain and traffic. Unsealed driveways are the most cost-effective but do require ongoing maintenance which does contribute to their overall lifetime cost, final cost and other cost data. Asphalt drives have been a popular choice for many years because they have relatively low installation costs. They often require more frequent maintenance because the asphalt surface or any flat surface needs to be resealed every 3 to 4 years. ## Sealed concrete driveway cost A sealed concrete driveway costs around $80 to $120 per square metre. A sealed driveway is a concrete slab with a coloured concrete and driveway texture surface. Concrete is available in more than one colour. This gives it a much higher quality look and provides better durability and protection against the elements than an unsealed plain concrete driveway. The plain concrete driveway is normally between 200mm to 300mm thick, depending on your preference, and can be as wide as required. Sealing does add to the overall cost of concrete and cost of the installation because it requires specialised preparation techniques such as diamond grinding before sealing can take place. ## Poured in place concrete driveway cost A poured in place concrete driveway costs around $100 to $170 per square metres. [Poured in place](/guides/concrete-pumping-services/what-is-concrete-pumping) concrete driveway is a higher-end style of installation because the concrete mix is shaped in place using lightweight screeds and moulds. The result is a much smoother finish especially decorative finishes and other decorative elements that look very similar to an asphalt drive but at a lower cost depending on cost of concrete. Poured in place concrete driveways are not generally suitable for steep concrete driveways or ones with curves because it would be too hard to pour concrete in these areas. This method does require specially prepared ground so the concrete driveway can support the weight of heavy vehicles including cars, trucks and commercial vans. Unlike many other types of construction work, there are no standard concrete driveway costs, exposed aggregate driveway costs or an average cost that apply to every concrete driveway project. There are just too many variables involved which ultimately affect the final price you pay for your new driveway! These factors include size, design, location and the overall quality of the installation and the type such as a stamped concrete driveway, asphalt driveway and sloped driveway. ## Is it cheaper to pave or concrete a driveway? If you are looking for a slightly lower-end drive, you could consider the installation of asphalt. Asphalt is a cheaper flat surface to install, but it requires more frequent maintenance. However, if you want a high-end drive that is going to last for years and withstand all weather conditions, stencilled concrete may be a better option. If you have a dilapidated driveway, you might be able to [pave over it](/guides/concrete-products/can-you-pave-over-concrete). The best concrete driveway options include using a contractor. Contractors will charge you for the job including materials and labour, but they will be able to provide you with an accurate estimate of what your project should cost depending on the concrete cost. If you plan on doing it yourself, there are two factors that you need to consider when choosing between asphalt and concrete: the price of materials and labour involved in the concrete driveway installation. Brisbane City Council has a great guide to the [technical standards of driveways](https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/laws-and-permits/laws-and-permits-for-residents/footpaths-and-driveways/driveway-permits/driveway-technical-standards). Make sure you check with your local authority however. ## What is paving? Paving is the process of installing a hard, durable surface that is resistant to weathering and other natural damage. Paving surfaces are used to create paths, walkways, concrete driveways, parking lots and roads. A typical paving project starts with the excavation of all vegetation (if needed) and any existing surfacing driveway materials (such as gravel). The site will then be graded for drainage before laying down any sub-base, base or pavement layers on top of compacted or [exposed aggregate](/guides/concrete-products/what-is-exposed-aggregate) or sand. After this has been done successfully you can begin application of the asphalt, standard premixed concrete or concrete surface material. ## How to remove oil stains from concrete Being a car owner means you have to deal with oil stains as well as other spills on your concrete driveway. However, this doesn't mean that your concrete driveway is doomed to look bad for years as it is [pretty easy to clean](/guides/concrete-decorative-resurfacing/how-to-clean-concrete-driveway). There are some tips and tricks that can help you get rid of the stains as a DIY project and remove dirt from your existing driveway over time. Overall, it requires less maintenance and helps save money that you expect to pay for concrete services, small cracks and other factors. The best way to remove an oil stain from your old driveway or old concrete is by using hot water and dish soap. Mix the solution in a bucket and soak the stained area with it. This should eliminate most of the stain from the entire driveway. You can also use soda or bleach, but be careful since they might damage the concrete if left there for too long. Make sure that whatever substance you choose, test them in an inconspicuous place first to see how they react to the concrete and if they cause any damage. ## What should I use to seal my driveway? What you need to do is protect your concrete driveway from environmental factors such as water, dirt, oil stains etc. There are a number of products on the market that can help you with this issue, but here are some things that you have to consider before purchasing one: - Price. Make sure that the product fits within your budget before buying. - Compatibility with the existing surface material. - Depending on what has been applied to your existing driveways, you may not be able to use certain products. Check the label on the product for this information. - UV Resistance. If there is currently any sealer applied to your driveway, make sure that whatever you are buying can withstand sunlight. This will prevent fading or flaking of your surface material. - Quantity. Find out how much of the product you need before buying it. If it's too little, you might have to purchase extra which could end up being more expensive than just getting a bigger package in the first place. - Application method. There are three methods that can be used when applying an asphalt or concrete protectant namely sprayers, rollers and brushes.