Cost guide · Driveways
What affects the cost of a concrete driveway?
By Nathan Carter, owner, Gold Coast Concrete Services. Reviewed October 2026.
Quick answer
The price of a concrete driveway on the Gold Coast is set by six things: area, finish, removal of the old surface, slope and access, base preparation, and council crossover work. Gold Coast Concrete Services measures every site for free and gives a fixed, itemised written quote that shows each of these before work starts.
| Factor | Why it changes the price |
|---|---|
| Area and shape | More m² means more concrete, steel and labour. Curves and splits add formwork. |
| Finish | Plain and broom are simplest. Exposed aggregate, coloured and stencil add materials and labour. |
| Removal | Breaking out old concrete or pavers adds machine time and disposal. |
| Slope and access | Steep blocks need more joints and transitions. Tight access may need a pump. |
| Base preparation | Soft or uneven ground needs extra road base and compaction. |
| Crossover | Work on the council verge needs approval and must follow council drawings. |
Why we don’t list prices
Two driveways of the same size can need very different work. A flat, open block with a broom finish is a different job to a steep, curved exposed aggregate driveway with an old slab to remove first.
A price list would either be too high for the simple jobs or too low for the hard ones. A site measure lets us price what your job actually needs, and it costs you nothing.
Area, shape and thickness
Concrete is ordered by the cubic metre, so area and thickness together set how much goes in the truck. Most car driveways are 100 mm thick. Driveways that carry caravans, boats or delivery trucks are poured 125–150 mm thick with heavier mesh, which adds concrete and steel.
Shape matters as much as size. Straight runs are quick to form. Curves, splits around gardens and wide flares at the garage take more formwork, more cutting and more finishing time.
The finish you choose
Finish is usually the biggest choice you control. Plain and broom finishes are finished on the day with no extra materials. Exposed aggregate needs a decorative stone mix and a washing step. Coloured concrete adds oxide to the mix. Stencil and stamped finishes add a coloured surface layer, patterns and more labour on pour day.
- Plain or broom — simplest
- Coloured — oxide through the mix
- Exposed aggregate — decorative stone and washing
- Stencil or stamped — pattern layer and sealing
What’s under the old driveway
Removing an old slab, pavers or turf adds machine time, trucks and tip fees. Old concrete with heavy steel or thick sections takes longer to break out.
Once the old surface is gone, the ground underneath decides how much base work is needed. Soft clay, old garden beds or tree roots need digging out and replacing with compacted road base, so the new driveway doesn’t sink.
Slope, access and drainage
Steep driveways need more joints, careful transitions at the road and garage, and sometimes a rougher finish for grip. Water has to run to stormwater, so some blocks need strip drains or grated pits across the driveway.
Access changes the method. If the concrete truck can reach the pour, it chutes straight in. Tight side access or long backyard runs may need a concrete pump or extra barrow work.
Council crossover work
The section between your boundary and the road is council land. Building or replacing it needs City of Gold Coast approval, and it must be built to council’s standard drawings. We tell you at the site measure whether your crossover needs work and include it as its own line on the quote.
What your written quote shows
Each quote lists demolition, excavation, base, steel, concrete, finish, sealing, crossover and clean-up as separate items. You can compare finishes side by side and see exactly where the money goes. The price is fixed. It only changes if you ask for something different and approve it in writing first.
Common questions
Is the site measure really free?
Yes. We come out, check levels, drainage, access and soil, show finish samples and send a written quote. There is no obligation.
Can I reduce the cost?
Choosing a simpler finish, keeping the shape straight, or reusing existing base material where it is sound can all lower the price. We point these out at the site measure.
Why do quotes from different concreters vary so much?
Quotes often differ in what they include. Check the thickness, mesh, base depth, sealing, crossover and removal of the old surface. Our quotes list each one so you can compare like for like.
Does a coloured or exposed finish cost more to maintain?
Decorative finishes should be resealed every two to three years to keep their colour. Plain concrete can be left unsealed, though sealing still helps it resist stains.
More on driveways
- Exposed aggregate vs plain concrete
- Concrete vs pavers for a driveway
- How thick should a concrete driveway be?
- Driveway crossovers on the Gold Coast
- Concrete Driveways
